New Delhi: In a sweeping administrative reform aimed at reducing delays and improving efficiency in the country’s apex court, the Chief Justice of India has introduced a revised system for listing cases in the Supreme Court. The changes, notified through four circulars issued on Sunday, will come into force from December 1, 2025.
Under the new mechanism, fresh cases will be listed automatically, eliminating the longstanding practice of litigants and lawyers mentioning matters before the Bench to secure hearing dates.
Liberty Matters to Get Priority
Cases involving the liberty of individuals—including petitions seeking urgent interim relief—will receive priority listing. Once defects are cured and the case is verified, such matters will be listed within two working days.
Bail Petitions to Be Processed Faster
To expedite bail matters, petitioners will be required to serve an advance copy on the concerned Nodal Officer or Standing Counsel of the Union of India, State Government, or Union Territory. The measure is expected to reduce procedural delays and enable quicker hearings.
Special Window for Exceptionally Urgent Cases
For matters that cannot await the scheduled date—such as anticipatory bail pleas, death penalty cases, habeas corpus petitions, and issues related to eviction, dispossession or demolition—the Court will allow mentioning between 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Senior Counsel Barred from Oral Mentioning
In a significant departure from past practice, Senior Counsel will no longer be permitted to make oral mentions for urgent listing. Instead, junior lawyers will be encouraged to take up the responsibility—an effort seen as promoting greater opportunities for young members of the Bar.
No Adjournment Letters for Old Cases
To push the disposal of long-pending Regular Hearing matters, the Court has announced that adjournment letters will not be accepted.
Aim: More Predictable and Transparent Listing
The new framework reflects the Supreme Court’s drive toward a more structured, transparent, and predictable listing system. Legal experts say the reforms could reduce the daily rush for oral mentioning and provide relief to litigants who frequently waited for extended periods to get their cases listed.
The changes take effect from Monday, marking one of the most significant administrative overhauls in the Court’s recent history.