‘Partial Working Days’ In Supreme Court Instead Of 'Vacations', Top Court Amends Rules

New Delhi: In a significant move, Supreme Court has amended its rules to substitute term 'summer vacation or vacation' with 'partial court working days' and 'vacation judge with judge'. On vember 5, amended Supreme Court (Second Amendment) Rules, 2024, were tified by top court after approval from President. new rules have me significant justments to structure of annual schedule of Supreme Court.  

According to new rules, top court will w operate with a modified schedule kwn as "partial court working days." During se periods, Supreme Court will remain open for a set number of days, with operations mand as per directions of Chief Justice of India.

revised rules aim to ensure that top court continues to function effectively during periods of reduced sittings, dressing urgent matters while providing flexibility for judges and staff.

length of partial court working days and number of holidays for court and offices of court shall be such as may be fixed by Chief Justice and tified in Official Gazette so as t to exceed ninety-five days excluding Sundays.

"In Order VI of said rules, in rule 6,- for rule 6, (a) in opening paragraph, for words “During vacation, Vacation Judge”, words “During partial Court Working days, Judge," shall be substituted..." amended rules re.

During partial Court working days, one or more judges may be assigned to hear urgent matters, so that critical cases do t face unnecessary delays. This includes mission hearings, regular matters of an urgent nature, and or cases as directed by Chief Justice.

Supreme Court's sittings will w be divided into two annual terms, with first term concluding before Christmas and New Year holidays and second term beginning afterward.

tably, amended rules were tified on vember 5, in last working week of outgoing Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud.

last working week of CJI DY Chandrachud has seen a string of crucial verdicts which includes validity of Mrasa Act, government's power to takeover private property for common good, rules for recruitments to government job and sending Jet Airways to liquidity, have come from Supreme Court. But, most unexpected change is amendment me to Supreme Court rules regarding court vacations.