From the Editor's Desk

The Supreme Court of India has issued a circular, “to maintain uniformity in listing of cases before all Courts”, directing that the cause list on miscellaneous days be published in a fixed sequence—starting with early-hearing applications in admitted matters and fresh matters, followed by bail and post-notice ad-interim stay matters—and adding four new priority heads for certain categories of litigants.

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Under the updated structure, the cause list will also place special emphasis on certain categories of litigants. The newly introduced heads include: (1) cases relating to specially abled persons and acid attack victims, (2) cases relating to senior citizens aged above 80 years, (3) cases involving persons who are below the poverty line, and (4) legal aid matters.

The full order for miscellaneous-day listings, as set out in the circular, runs through 16 broad headings, including freshly adjourned matters, personal appearance/settlement cases, transfer petitions, public interest litigations, part-heard matters, remaining post-notice matters (criminal and civil), and direction matters.

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To operationalise the four newly introduced categories, the Supreme Court has asked members of the Bar, parties-in-person and other stakeholders to clearly indicate the relevant head in fresh petitions filed in the Registry, and to submit an appropriate application/letter along with documentary proof issued by an appropriate government authority.

The circular also requests litigants and counsel to provide these details in pending matters as well, so that the Registry can update case classification and “prioritize listing of such cases.”