Delhi HC Acting Chief Justice Asks District Judges To Follow Three Adjournment Rule [Read Notice]

With a view to ensure speedy yet effective justice, the Acting Chief Justice of Delhi High Court Gita Mittal has instructed heads of all district courts to ensure that the laid down procedure of allowing maximum three adjournments is followed in every case and a realistic timeline is adhered to.

In a circular issued through Registrar General Dinesh Kumar Sharma, the Acting Chief Justice touched upon grant of adjournments, adherence to timelines, electronic filing and electronic service of summon.

The Acting Chief Justice also reminded all judicial officers that adjournments are to be granted only where there is a good cause and the consent of the opposite party does not fall in that category.

“The rule of three adjournments and imposition of compensatory costs is to be followed strictly,” said she.

The circular also said that all efforts be made to ensure that each and every case is being heard effectively and disposed of as early as possible albeit within realistic timelines.

Justice Mittal reiterated the directions to expedite trial/ disposal of cases while using time management techniques etc.

The high court also directed the District & Sessions Judges of all districts to allocate judicial work while taking into account the area of expertise of a judicial officer to ensure optimum utilization of limited resources.

The high court also asked the judicial officers to encourage service of processes and summons electronically.

It is to be noted that in June, a government-appointed panel had returned a finding that the laid down procedure of allowing a maximum of three adjournments per case is not followed in over 50 per cent of the matters being heard by courts, leading to rising pendency of cases.

The panel had stressed that the law of three adjournments should be strictly followed to reduce the pendency.