Justice Uday U Lalit questioned on Friday when the Supreme Court judge started hearing cases an hour earlier than usual: “If kids can start school at seven, why can’t judges and counsel start their day at nine?”
On weekdays, the Supreme Court benches convene around 10.30 am to begin the day’s proceedings. They take a lunch break for an hour between 1 and 2 pm before continuing to work till 4 pm.
Justice Lalit began hearing cases on Friday at 9.30 a.m. instead of the usual time. Justices S. Ravindra Bhat and Sudhanshu Dhulia were also on his bench.
Former attorney general Mukul Rohatgi praised the bench for sitting promptly while making an appearance in a bail case. “I must admit that judicial proceedings should begin at 9.30 a.m.”
Justice Lalit said that he has always believed that the court need to convene early. We ought to meet at nine in the morning, ideally. I’ve always said, “If our kids can leave for school at seven in the morning, why can’t we show up in court at nine?”
The Supreme Court benches, according to Justice Lalit, who will assume the role of Chief Justice of India (CJI) in August, should convene at 9am and rise at 11.30am for a 30-minute break. “Start at 12 again, and wrap up by 2. The judge mentioned the days when new matters and cases that don’t typically require drawn-out hearings are brought up after notifications, saying that you would have more time to complete things in the evening.
On August 27, Justice Lalit will take over from Chief Justice NV Ramana, and he will serve in that capacity through November 8.
