Supreme Court Sets Time Limits for Lawyers

In a significant change to how court hearings are conducted, the Supreme Court of India has introduced a new procedure that requires lawyers to plan and limit the time they take to present arguments. The move is aimed at improving efficiency and ensuring that more cases are heard each day.

Under the new system, lawyers arguing cases after notice has been issued, as well as those in regular hearings, must now inform the Court in advance about how much time they will need to present their arguments. This information must be submitted online at least one day before the scheduled hearing.

The decision was formalised through a circular issued on December 29 under the directions of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. The Court said the step is meant to ensure better use of court hours and smoother case management across different benches.

In addition to declaring argument time, lawyers will also be required to submit brief written notes summarising their main points. These notes must be limited to five pages and filed at least three days before the hearing. Copies must also be shared with the opposing side to avoid surprises during arguments.

The Court has made it clear that lawyers are expected to strictly stick to the time slots they request and conclude their submissions within the approved duration. This structured approach is expected to help judges plan proceedings more effectively and reduce delays caused by lengthy or repetitive arguments.

By introducing pre-fixed time slots and short written summaries, the Supreme Court hopes to bring greater predictability to hearings and move cases faster, addressing long-standing concerns about pendency and courtroom delays.