CJI bars senior advocates from mentioning cases for listing

NEW DELHI: To give 'baptism by fire' opportunity to young lawyers and make them learn the art of persuading judges to grant urgent hearing in important matters, Chief Justice of India B R Gavai on Wednesday said from Monday, designated senior advocates will be barred from mentioning cases for listing or urgent hearing.Finding that every day renowned senior advocates have made it a habit to make out of turn request for listing of petitions, CJI Gavai said, "From Monday no designated senior would be allowed to mention matters for urgent hearing. Youngsters in the profession should get a chance to gain confidence and appear before Supreme Court."As this was told by the CJI when senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi was mentioning about tagging the Tamil Nadu govt's petition challenging the Madras high court interim order restraining the state from using political leaders' names in welfare schemes, the counsel said, "Let it be a uniform practice in all courts."The CJI said this rule will be applicable to his courtroom. "I can't speak for other judges," he said. However, by afternoon, as the news had spread, other judges also informally decided not to permit senior advocates to mention matters for urgent listing from Monday.In Supreme Court, it is a regular feature for senior advocates including Singhvi, Kapil Sibal and Mukul Rohatgi, to mention petitions for urgent listing as clients realise they have the ability to persuade courts to accept the request.