The Supreme Court has confirmed that its summer vacation, rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will be observed from June 22 to July 3. The Court has also clarified that it will continue to hear matters of urgent nature via video conferencing during this period.

Earlier, a Full Court meeting of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde had reached a consensus to continue working during the summer vacation at least till June 19.

The circular issued in this regard states that during the first week of rescheduled summer vacation - from June 22 to 26 - two Division Benches, one Court of Judges-in-Chamber and one Registrar Court will conduct hearings via video conferencing/teleconferencing.

In the second week of rescheduled summer vacation - from June 29 to July 3 - two Benches will conduct hearings through video conferencing on June 30 and July 3 respectively.

Further, it was intimated that the existing ‘Standard Operating Procedure’ issued for advocates and parties-in-person, uploaded on the website on June 14, will continue to operate and be followed for listing and hearing of matters before the Judge-in-Chamber and the Registrar Court.

Fresh matters filed up to June 19 which are ‘mentioned’ on the e-mail address ‘mention.sc@sci.nic.in’ up to 5:00 PM on a particular day for urgent listing, may be processed for listing on the next to next working day, subject to the directions of the competent authority and availability of the Bench as per roster.

However, the after notice matters which will be mentioned for early listing on the ground of urgency may be placed before the judge having coram, and the same may be listed subject to acceptance of the request, provided the judge is available during vacation.

Moroever, it was added that matters seeking to be listed on the ground of urgency would be listed only after the competent authority approves it. This will be subject to the direction/roster and the availability of the respective Bench.

However, matters of extreme urgency shall be dealt with by the Vacation Officer/Registrar as per prevailing practice, the circular reads.

These apart, it has been informed that the Filing Counter will remain closed for two weeks and that, only e-filing of documents would be permitted. However, in case of extreme exigency, the Registry may open the Filing Counter, the circular concludes.

[Read circular here]