Written by Ashish ShajiNew Delhi | December 30, 2025 04:44 PM IST 2 min readSupreme Court has mandated all counsel to strictly adhere to the timelines fixed and conclude their oral arguments.In a first, the Supreme Court has issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for adhering to timelines for oral arguments in all cases.The SOP mandates the senior advocates, arguing counsel and/or advocate-on-record, to submit timelines for making oral arguments in all post-notice and regular hearing matters, at least a day prior to the commencement of the hearing of the case.According to the circular published on the Supreme court’s website, the timelines have to be submitted to the court through the online portal for submitting appearance slips already provided to the advocate-on-record. Supreme Court issued the circular on December 29.The circular also requires the arguing counsel and/or senior advocates, through their advocate-on-record or nodal counsels nominated by the court, if any, to file a brief note/written submission not exceeding five pages, after serving its copy on the other side, at least three days prior to the hearing to ensure compliance.“Arguing counsel and/or Senior Advocates, through their advocate-on-record or nodal counsel/s nominated by Hon’ble Court, if any, shall file a brief note / written submission not exceeding five (5) pages, after serving its copy on the other side, at least three (3) days prior to the date of hearing, in order to ensure compliance of such timeline,” the circular issued on December 29 read.The circular further mandates all counsel to strictly adhere to the timelines fixed and conclude their oral arguments.According to the circular, the SOPs are aimed at facilitating effective court management and equitable distribution of court working hours. It is further aimed at ensuring speedy and proper administration of justice.Story continues below this ad“In order to facilitate effective court management and equitable distribution of Court working hours and to ensure speedy and proper administration of justice, as directed by Hon’ble the Chief Justice of India and all the Hon’ble Judges, there shall be a Standard Operating Procedure for adhering to timelines for submission of oral arguments in all cases, with immediate effect,” the circular read.Ashish Shaji is a Senior Sub-Editor at The Indian Express, where he specializes in legal journalism. Combining a formal education in law with years of editorial experience, Ashish provides authoritative coverage and nuanced analysis of court developments and landmark judicial decisions for a national audience. Expertise Legal Core Competency: Ashish is a law graduate (BA LLB) from IME Law College, CCSU. This academic foundation allows him to move beyond surface-level reporting, offering readers a deep-dive into the technicalities of statutes, case law, and legal precedents. Specialized Legal Reporting: His work at The Indian Express focuses on translating the often-dense proceedings of India's top courts into clear, actionable news. His expertise includes: Judicial Analysis: Breaking down complex orders from the Supreme Court and various High Courts. Legal Developments: Monitoring legislative changes and their practical implications for the public and the legal fraternity. Industry Experience: With over 5 years in the field, Ashish has contributed to several niche legal and professional platforms, honing his ability to communicate complex information. His previous experience includes: Lawsikho: Gaining insights into legal education and practical law. Verdictum: Focusing on high-quality legal news and court updates. Enterslice: Working at the intersection of legal, financial, and advisory services. ... Read More © IE Online Media Services Pvt LtdTags:supreme court