The Supreme Court of India’s New SOP on Oral Arguments: A Step Towards Structured Advocacy and Fewer Adjournments

The Supreme Court of India’s circular dated 29 December 2025 marks an important evolution in how advocacy is expected to be conducted before the Court. By introducing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for timelines on oral arguments and written submissions, the Court has signalled a clear move towards structured, time-disciplined litigation, one that benefits lawyers, litigants, and the justice delivery system.

This development aligns the Court more closely with global best practices, particularly the approach followed by the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS), where clarity, preparation, and time management are central to effective adjudication. 

Under the new framework:

(i) Senior Advocates, arguing counsel, and/or Advocates-on-Record must submit timelines for oral arguments in post-notice and regular hearing matters at least one day prior to the hearing.

(ii) A brief written submission, capped at five pages, must be filed and served on the opposite side at least three days before the hearing.

(iii) Counsel are expected to strictly adhere to the timelines fixed and conclude their oral submissions accordingly.

Importantly, this SOP does not curtail advocacy. Instead, it structures it.

For years, one of the major contributors to delays in litigation has been unstructured hearing-where arguments expand unpredictably, matters spill over, and courts are compelled to grant adjournments simply because submissions could not be completed in time.

This SOP directly addresses that problem.

By requiring lawyers to plan their arguments in advance and crystallise their submissions, the Court is encouraging:

(i) Better internal preparation within legal teams

(ii) More focused and issue-driven advocacy

(iii) Fewer “part-heard” matters

(iv)  A meaningful reduction in unnecessary adjournments

When timelines are known in advance, counsel can prepare proportionately and realistically. This predictability benefits not just the Court, but also the opposing side and the litigants, who are often most affected by repeated adjournments.

The circular also reflects a broader shift in advocacy culture—from lengthy oral narration to precise legal assistance. In SCOTUS, oral arguments are not used to restate the entire case, but to address specific legal concerns, clarify positions, and assist the court on points that truly require discussion.

The Supreme Court of India’s SOP nudges advocates in the same direction:

(i) Written submissions do the groundwork

(ii) Oral arguments refine and respond

(iii) Court time is used optimally 

For litigants, this reform promises a more efficient and humane litigation experience. Time-bound hearings reduce uncertainty, lower costs, and minimise the emotional and financial strain caused by repeated listings and adjournments.

When matters are argued within defined timelines, outcomes become more predictable—not in result, but in process. And predictability in process is a cornerstone of access to justice.

This SOP represents a cultural shift for the Bar towards discipline, preparation, and respect for judicial time. It rewards advocates who are strategic, focused, and well-prepared, rather than those who rely on sheer length of argument.

Far from being restrictive, the circular empowers lawyers to present their cases more effectively and more credibly.

The Supreme Court of India’s new SOP is not about limiting advocacy; it is about strengthening it. By reducing avoidable adjournments and encouraging structured submissions, the Court is laying the foundation for faster, fairer, and more efficient justice.

For lawyers willing to adapt, this reform is an opportunity to sharpen advocacy, build credibility, and contribute to a system where justice is not delayed by process, but delivered through precision. 

This is a step forward - for the Court, the Bar, and the litigant alike.

About Author:

Pallavi Pratap is an Advocate-on-Record in Hon’ble Supreme Court and is also Managing Partner of Pratap & Co. – a full-service law firm with offices across all major cities in India.