Supreme Court Proposes Daily Afternoon Slot for Long-Pending Constitution Bench Matters

• The Supreme Court proposed holding daily two-hour sittings after lunch to take up long-pending Constitution Bench references.
• There are currently 29 pending Constitution Bench matters, with some considered academic but still requiring resolution.
• The new hearing schedule may lead to potential delays or disruptions in case timelines for lawyers and compliance officers handling clients' cases before the Constitution Bench.
• Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal supported the proposal, noting that the legal issues in these cases are still relevant despite some matters becoming academic.

The Supreme Court held a discussion on how to address the backlog of long-pending Constitution Bench references. The court suggested holding daily two-hour sittings after lunch to take up these matters, while reserving the morning session for fresh and miscellaneous cases. This proposal was made by Chief Justice Surya Kant during a hearing before the Constitution Bench, which includes Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal supported this idea, noting that the legal issues in these cases are still relevant despite some matters becoming academic.

There are currently 29 pending Constitution Bench matters, which have been pending for an extended period. The court acknowledged that while some of these matters may be considered academic, the legal issues involved can still survive and require resolution. This highlights the need for a dedicated approach to addressing this backlog. The Supreme Court's proposal to hold daily hearings after lunch is aimed at settling these long-pending cases without allowing fresh matters to pile up.

The new hearing schedule proposed by the Supreme Court may have significant implications for lawyers and compliance officers handling clients' cases before the Constitution Bench. If implemented, this schedule could lead to potential delays or disruptions in case timelines, making it essential for these professionals to monitor developments closely. The court's efforts to address the backlog of long-pending cases demonstrate its commitment to resolving complex legal issues efficiently.

Lawyers and compliance officers should watch for potential delays or disruptions in their clients' cases if they are scheduled to be heard by the Constitution Bench, as the new hearing schedule may impact case timelines.

Source: Original reporting via Bar and Bench