On 5-11-2024, the Supreme Court of India notified the Supreme Court (Second Amendment) Rules, 2024 to amend the Supreme Court Rules 2013. The provisions came into force on 6-11-2024.
Key Points:
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In Order II relating to “Offices of the Court: Sittings etc.”, Rule 3 and Rule 4 have been revised:
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Rule 3:
Earlier, it said that during vacations and holidays, the offices of the Court will remain open as the Chief Justice will direct.
Now, the Chief Justice will direct when the offices remain open during the partial working days and holidays.
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Rule 4:
Earlier, the Court sat in 2 terms annually:
✓ First- starting from the termination of summer vacations and ending with the day immediately before the day in December as the Court decides, for the commencement of the Christmas and New Year holidays.
✓ Second- Commencing from termination of Christmas and New Year holidays and ending with the commencement of summer vacations.
✓ The period of summer vacation should not exceed 7 weeks.
✓ The total number of holidays could not exceed 103 days which excluded Sundays not falling in the vacation and during holidays.
Now also, the Court will sit in 2 terms annually:
✓ First- starting from the termination of partial Court working days and ending with the day immediately before the day in December as the Court decides, for the commencement of the Christmas and New Year holidays.
✓ Second- Commencing from termination of Christmas and New Year holidays and ending with the commencement of partial Court working days.
✓ The total number of holidays cannot exceed 95 days excluding Sundays.
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The regular matters of urgent nature or any other matter that the Chief Justice directs will be taken up during these partial Court working days for which the Chief Justice will appoint one or more Judges.
