Supreme Court Fixes Time Limit for Lawyers’ Arguments

New Delhi:
In a major step towards faster justice delivery and better court management, the Supreme Court of India has issued a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) placing defined time limits on oral arguments by lawyers. The move aims to curb prolonged hearings and ensure more efficient use of judicial time amid mounting case pendency.

As per the new guidelines, lawyers appearing before the apex court will be required to inform the court in advance about the time they need to present their arguments. In addition, advocates must submit brief written notes outlining their key points before the hearing, enabling judges to prepare in advance and reduce unnecessary repetition during oral submissions.

The Supreme Court has emphasised that counsel must strictly adhere to the allotted time, with the Bench retaining the discretion to regulate proceedings if arguments become repetitive or exceed the approved duration. The SOP applies across cases and is expected to bring greater discipline, predictability and balance to courtroom proceedings.

The reform comes in response to long-standing concerns that lengthy and unstructured arguments often delay hearings and contribute significantly to backlog. By encouraging focused advocacy and limiting excessive oral submissions, the court hopes to speed up case disposal without compromising the quality of justice.

Legal experts view the move as a significant procedural shift that could streamline hearings, promote written advocacy, and set a precedent for judicial efficiency across courts in the country.