In a recent directive, the Supreme Court of India has expressed concerns over excessively detailed synopses in legal documents, emphasizing that a synopsis spanning 128 pages is unreasonable. This observation came during the hearing of a plea challenging a decision from the Allahabad High Court.
Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah noted the issue while addressing a matrimonial dispute involving a woman who, representing herself, submitted a voluminous synopsis loaded with irrelevant details. “We understand that the appellant is not a trained lawyer, but the registry should have guided her to condense it,” the bench stated. They instructed the registrar (judicial) to ensure that synopses, especially from self-represented litigants, are kept concise.
The case in question dates back to a 2006 marriage, ending with a 2016 decree of divorce on grounds of cruelty. The appellant’s efforts continued as her Section 125 CrPC petition, initially dismissed for non-prosecution, was revived by the High Court in 2019. This section pertains to the maintenance obligations towards wives, children, and parents.
Reaffirming the High Court’s decision, the Supreme Court found no grounds to overrule it, directing the Family Court in Agra to reassess the matter on its merits. The top court’s dismissal of the appeal underlines the judiciary’s intent to streamline legal processes and ensure that filings are both pertinent and practical.
