The Supreme Court reiterates that lawyers cannot treat an adjournment slip or request as an automatic reason to postpone a case. A Bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R. Mahadevan tells advocates that the power to grant an adjournment rests only with the Court, and that counsel must be ready to argue unless the Bench specifically defers the matter. The remarks follow a submission by counsel that proceedings could not proceed because the respondents had circulated an adjournment slip. Justice Amanullah rejects the assumption, emphasizing that filing or circulation of such requests does not bind the Court to defer the hearing. The Bench directs that the matter be heard in the normal course, with Justice Amanullah stating that lawyers must come prepared, and explaining that an adjournment happens only if the Court allows it. When counsel later asks for another listing date, the Bench initially indicates the case may be taken up during the day, and the observation “Today also is a day” is made before the Court ultimately agrees to list the matter next week. The comments align with the Court’s broader efforts to discourage unnecessary adjournments and to reduce delays in case disposal, including stricter adjournment norms introduced through recent directions.
Supreme Court tells lawyers adjournment slips are not automatic; prepare to argue
The Supreme Court reiterates that lawyers cannot treat an adjournment slip or request as an automatic reason to postpone a case. A Bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R. Mahadevan tells advocat...
- The Supreme Court says adjournment slips or requests do not automatically postpone hearings; only the Court decides.
- The Court tells lawyers they must come prepared and argue unless the Bench grants an adjournment.
- A Bench comprising Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R. Mahadevan makes the observations while hearing a matter where an adjournment slip was cited.
- The Bench initially indicates the case can be heard later in the day, before agreeing to list it next week after counsel’s request.
- The remarks reflect the Court’s ongoing push against routine or unwarranted adjournments to prevent delays in justice delivery.
New Delhi, July 8, 2026: The Supreme Court on Wednesday cautioned lawyers against treating adjournment slips as automatic passes for postponing cases, stressing that the decision to defer a matter rests solely with the Court. It also underscored that advocates must be prepared to argue their cases even if the opposite side has circulated an adjournment slip.A Bench of Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice R. Mahadevan made the observation after a lawyer submitted that the matter could not be taken up because the respondents had moved an adjournment slip. Justice Amanullah rejected the assumption, saying the Court alone decides whether an adjournment should be granted, Bar & Bench reported.Court's Decision Is Final“Please, counsel. It is up to us whether or not we allow adjournment. You have to come prepared and argue. If we allow, only then is it adjourned. This is a message to the Bar,” Justice Amanullah said.The remarks reinforced the Court’s position that the filing of an adjournment slip does not automatically postpone proceedings and that lawyers should not presume a case will be deferred.'Today Also Is A Day'Later, when the petitioner's counsel sought another date, the Bench initially indicated that it would take up the matter at the end of the day's board. However, the counsel requested that the case be listed on another day instead.Also Watch: 'It's Up to Us Whether We Allow Adjournment': Supreme Court Tells Lawyers, Says Adjournment Slips Are No Excuse To Avoid ArgumentsResponding to the request, Justice Amanullah said, “Today also is a day.” The Court eventually agreed to defer the matter and directed that it be listed next week.To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/
1 hour agoThe Supreme Court has reiterated that lawyers cannot assume a case will be adjourned merely because an adjournment slip or letter has been circulated. Emphasising that the power to defer a hearing lies exclusively with the court, the apex court said advocates must always be prepared to argue their matters unless the Bench specifically grants an adjournment.The observation was made by a Bench comprising Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice R. Mahadevan while hearing a matter in which counsel for one of the parties contended that the case could not proceed as the respondents had sought an adjournment.'You Have to Come Prepared and Argue'Responding to the submission, Justice Amanullah firmly stated that the filing of an adjournment request does not bind the court to postpone proceedings."Please, counsel. It is up to us whether or not we allow adjournment. You have to come prepared and argue. If we allow, only then is it adjourned. This is a message to the Bar," Justice Amanullah remarked, as quoted by LiveLaw.As reported by the live Law, when the petitioner's counsel later requested that the matter be listed on another day, the Bench initially proposed hearing it later the same day. However, the lawyer insisted on another date.Justice Amanullah responded, "Today also is a day."The court eventually agreed to defer the hearing and directed that the matter be listed next week.Court Continues Push Against Routine AdjournmentsThe latest observations are in line with the Supreme Court's continued efforts to discourage unnecessary adjournments, which it has repeatedly criticised for delaying the justice delivery system.The apex court has, in several judgments, described frequent and unwarranted adjournments as a major reason behind mounting case pendency, warning that such practices allow litigants to prolong proceedings without sufficient cause.March 2026 Circular Tightened Adjournment RulesThe court's remarks also reinforce the stricter norms introduced through its March 18, 2026 circular, which replaced earlier guidelines governing adjournment requests.Supreme Court Mandates 3-Month Deadline For Reserved Judgments Across High Courts Under the revised rules, adjournment letters are generally not permitted in regularly listed matters. Even in fresh matters, only one such request is ordinarily allowed. Lawyers seeking a postponement must provide specific reasons, disclose any previous adjournment requests, and serve advance notice to the opposing side.The circular makes it clear that adjournments should be granted only in exceptional circumstances, such as serious illness or bereavement, with the objective of ensuring timely disposal of cases and reducing avoidable delays.
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