In a move aimed at giving younger legal talent a platform, the Supreme Court on Monday announced it will not allow senior advocates to mention matters for urgent listing or argue cases during the newly rechristened “partial court working days.”
The restriction, which came into effect today, will run until July 12. The apex court explained that the measure is designed specifically to encourage junior lawyers and advocates-on-record (AoRs) to argue their cases before the top court.
During this period—historically observed as the court’s summer vacation—three to four benches will hold court each week. Multiple benches on Monday made it clear that senior advocates must take a backseat to allow younger peers to gain valuable courtroom experience.
“No Senior Advocates in My Court”
The policy was strictly enforced from the outset of Monday’s proceedings.
“No senior advocates will be allowed in my court,” declared Justice Vikram Nath, who was heading a bench alongside Justice P B Varale.
When a senior advocate attempted to mention a matter, Justice Nath intervened, reiterating that senior lawyers would not be permitted to mention or argue cases before his bench during the partial court working days. Instead, only young lawyers and AoRs will be granted permission to argue.
When one senior counsel requested an exception on the ground that legal teams were unaware of the new rule, Justice Nath remained firm.
“You call the AoR or the instructing counsel. We will hear them but not the senior advocates,” he said.
To protect clients’ interests, the bench emphasized a crucial safeguard: the court will not dismiss any matters in which senior advocates are slated to appear. Instead, those cases will be listed for hearing in July after the Supreme Court resumes its normal working schedule.
“Higher Chance of Notice if Junior Advocates Argue”
A similar stance was adopted by other benches of the apex court.
A bench comprising Justices P S Narasimha and Aravind Kumar declared a brief grace period for Monday before the restrictions fully lock in.
“We are allowing it for today only. But from tomorrow onwards, no senior advocates will be allowed to argue or mention matters,” Justice Narasimha told the courtroom.
In a lighthearted yet encouraging remark to the lawyers present, Justice Narasimha added, “There is a higher chance of issuance of notice if junior advocates argue the matters and there is a higher chance of dismissal if senior advocates argue the case.”
Similar observations regarding the restriction of senior advocates during the partial working days were made by Justice Sanjay Karol, who presided over a bench alongside Justice A G Masih.
