The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to stay amended rules governing its practice and procedures on a petition filed by the apex court lawyers challenging their constitutionality.
The Supreme Court Rules, 2013, is scheduled to be implemented from August 19, 2014 – the next working day of the court.
The Supreme Court Bar Association had sought urgent intervention from the Supreme Court, contending that the 2013 rules, which replaces its 1966 version, “seriously jeopardises the interests of equal access to justice and the Rule of Law” for both the ordinary litigant and his or her lawyer.
The association said the rules were notified without “effective and meaningful consultations” with the Bar.
In a courtroom filled to the seams with lawyers, a Bench of Justices Anil R. Dave and U.U. Lalit refused to relent, denying the SCBA a stay order. The court however agreed to an early hearing on the matter and posted the case to September 5.
“Right now, let’s see if it (2013 rules) creates any problems,” Justice Dave said.
