The reform has received widespread appreciation across the country.
In a remarkable and forward-looking reform, Chief Justice of India Dr. Surya Kant has introduced a transformative measure—fixed time slots for all hearings before the Supreme Court. This visionary step will place rich and poor litigants alike—whether represented by senior counsels or junior advocates—on an equal footing, reshape courtroom discipline, and promote fairness across the judicial process.
The Junior Advocates and Law Students Association, a wing of the Indian Bar Association (IBA), has warmly welcomed this historic decision. The wing’s coordinators, Adv. Abhishek Mishra, Adv. Vikas Pawar, Adv. Sonali Manchekar and others stated that numerous members of the association have sent a formal letter of appreciation to CJI Surya Kant, expressing their gratitude and admiration for this progressive and inclusive reform. They emphasized that the introduction of fixed time slots will significantly benefit young advocates and interns, who often struggle to secure adequate hearing time in a system traditionally dominated by seniority. According to them, this reform not only ensures equal opportunity in the courtroom but also boosts the confidence of the next generation of legal professionals and reinforces their faith in a fair and accessible justice system.
IBA National President Nilesh Ojha remarked that CJI Surya Kant embodies the true spirit of a common man’s judge—a leader who understands the everyday challenges faced by litigants and lawyers, and who is unafraid to introduce reforms that may not please influential quarters. He stated that the CJI’s proposal for a National Judicial Policy, aimed at bringing uniformity and preventing conflicting judgments among various High Courts and even different benches of the Supreme Court, has generated strong momentum for systemic reform. According to him, this initiative has unsettled those who have long benefited from ambiguity and inconsistency in the system—often resulting in delays, opacity, and injustice—while receiving wide appreciation from sincere and upright members of the legal fraternity who value clarity, discipline, and judicial accountability.
CJI Surya Kant recently issued a circular prohibiting senior counsels from seeking urgent listing of cases, allowing only non-designated senior advocates to do so, and further directing an automatic listing procedure for cases. This initiative creates a more equitable platform for non-senior advocates in the Supreme Court. The reform is aimed at ensuring that young and less-experienced lawyers have meaningful opportunities to argue cases, present their points, and gain valuable courtroom experience—opportunities that have traditionally been dominated by senior advocates. By implementing this measure, the CJI has taken a decisive step toward promoting fairness, nurturing emerging talent, and enhancing the overall efficiency and accessibility of the justice delivery system.
Supreme Court Lawyers Association Chairman, Adv. Ishwarlal Agarwal, remarked that CJI Surya Kant’s reforms reflect not only great wisdom and experience, but also the courage and determination required to bring about meaningful, systemic change.
Adv. Nicky Pokar, Coordinator of the Women’s Wing of the Indian Bar Association (IBA), said that CJI Surya Kant’s reforms mark a “new era of transparency, discipline, and equality in the Supreme Court.” She stated that the decision to introduce fixed time slots for all hearings will greatly benefit women litigants and young women lawyers, who often struggle for equal opportunities in a system dominated by seniority and influence. She added that the CJI’s commitment to a National Judicial Policy reflects a visionary approach aimed at ensuring consistency in judicial pronouncements and strengthening public faith in the justice system. “CJI Surya Kant has shown that true judicial leadership means ensuring that every voice—no matter how small—is heard with dignity,” she said.
Adv. Vivek Ramteke, Chairman, and Adv. Tanveer Nizam, Vice-Chairman of the SC, ST, and Minority Lawyers Association, have welcomed CJI Surya Kant’s landmark reforms. They stated that the introduction of fixed time slots for all Supreme Court hearings is a progressive step that ensures fairness and equal opportunity for litigants, irrespective of their social or economic background. They added that this reform will particularly benefit advocates and litigants from marginalized communities, who often face structural disadvantages in accessing timely justice. According to them, CJI Surya Kant’s commitment to a National Judicial Policy and disciplined courtroom management reflects visionary leadership that strengthens public confidence in the justice system and promotes equality before the law.
For decades, the Indian legal system has struggled with a structural imbalance: cases led by senior counsels often consumed the major portion of the court’s time, leaving matters of ordinary litigants—often argued by junior advocates—unheard or rushed through. CJI Surya Kant has openly acknowledged this problem and taken decisive action to correct it.
A Reform for the Common Man
Beginning January 2026, the Supreme Court will no longer allow endless hearings. Every counsel—whether a top-ranking senior advocate or a young lawyer just beginning their practice—will have to commit to a fixed duration for arguments. This ensures that:
• Each case receives fair and proportionate time.
• No matter is overshadowed by cases “perceived to be more important.”
• Litigants represented by junior advocates are no longer disadvantaged.
• The court day is utilized efficiently, increasing overall disposal.
The CJI highlighted that it was unacceptable for certain matters to consume the entire day, leaving smaller litigants unheard. His clarity of thought and courage to enforce a strict time discipline marks him as a true people’s judge, someone who understands the real bottlenecks affecting the justice delivery system.
National Judicial Policy – A Vision for Uniformity
CJI Surya Kant has also strongly advocated a National Judicial Policy to address another long-standing issue: contradictory judgments by different High Courts and even by different benches of the Supreme Court. Such inconsistencies often create confusion, encourage forum shopping, and worsen delays.
His vision for a unified and structured judicial approach will significantly help:
• Junior advocates, who often struggle when precedents conflict.
• Common citizens, who suffer due to discretionary disparities.
• Lower courts, which rely on the clarity of binding precedents.
• Bar associations, seeking stability and predictability in the law.
This push for uniformity is a sweeping reform that can reduce misuse of judicial discretion and bring true equality before law.
The legal fraternity wholeheartedly welcomes this historic, people-centric decision. By ensuring equal hearing opportunities and promoting time-bound proceedings, CJI Surya Kant has strengthened the foundation of accessible justice. His reforms show not only wisdom and experience, but also the courage and willpower to implement change.
A Judge for the Nation
With each passing week, CJI Surya Kant is proving himself to be:
• A visionary administrator
• A reformer with empathy
• A leader with boldness
• And most importantly, a judge for the common man
His reforms will echo far beyond his tenure, leaving an enduring legacy of fairness, transparency, and disciplined court functioning.
India has long awaited such courageous judicial leadership. Today, the nation stands witness to a renaissance in judicial efficiency—guided by a CJI who is determined to transform the system from within.
