SCAORA urges CJI to recall decision to list service, labour matters during summer vacation

Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) on Friday urged Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud to recall the recent decision to list service and labour matters before the vacation benches of the Court from June 25..SCAORA in a letter addressed to the Supreme Court Secretary General and its Registry said the decision has led to a significant increase in the number of cases to be heard during the ongoing summer vacation and is contrary to the practice of listing only urgent matters before vacation benches. It explained that senior lawyers, their junior colleagues as well as registered clerks are currently travelling outside Delhi during the summer break and they would not be able to appear for matters, either physically or virtually..This sudden change has caused significant disruption and inconvenience to the legal community, the SCAORA said."While the members recognise that some matters are urgent and that right to livelihood (raised in service/labour matters) of litigants are affected, it is equally important that the cases are represented to the best of the abilities of the respective advocates. This can only be done when the members of the Bar have the necessary files, research, and more importantly the ability to appear and argue before the Hon'ble Court," the letter signed by SCAORA secretary Nikhil Jain stated..Instead of facilitating speedy justice, the unavailability of Advocates-on-Record and Senior Advocates will likely thwart the hopes of many litigants, potentially leading to unjust outcomes before the country's highest court, the SCAORA further said.Thus, the bar body has requested that the matter be placed before CJI so that immediate steps are taken assuage the concerns of the stakeholders. "In the interregnum, the Advocates-on-Record may be allowed to send adjournment requests in the matters listed vide Circular dated 20.06.2024 through email, and that the Hon'ble Judges are requested not to pass any adverse orders, in the absence of the concerned Advocates," the letter stated..[Read Letter]