New Delhi: Chief Justice of India (CJI) B R Gavai on Wednesday announced that starting August 11, senior advocates will no longer be allowed to mention cases for urgent listing and hearing in his court, in a move aimed at giving junior lawyers greater opportunities.
CJI Gavai, who took office on May 14, had reinstated the tradition of oral mentioning of urgent matters by advocates, reversing the system introduced by his predecessor, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who required lawyers to submit such requests via email or written communication.
“There is a strong demand that senior counsel should not be allowed to mention cases,” the CJI said in court, directing the staff to issue a notice informing that from Monday, designated senior advocates will not be permitted to make oral mentions.
“Let the juniors have a chance,” he added.
Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, present in court to mention a case, expressed support for the rule, provided it applies uniformly to all senior lawyers.
“This practice will be followed at least in my court,” CJI Gavai said, noting that it is up to other Supreme Court judges to implement it in their own courts.
Typically, lawyers approach the CJI-led bench at the beginning of the day’s proceedings to seek urgent listings and out-of-turn hearings of their cases.
