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What is a Vacation Bench?
Every year the Supreme Court takes two long vacations -- one during summers and the other in winters. However, the apex court is not fully closed during these periods.
Before these breaks begin, along with the dates for these vacations the court also provides a list of judges who will sit Vacation Benches for hearing urgent matters during this period. The Vacation Benches are appointed for hearing urgent matters during the winter and summer breaks.
The CJI approves the cases that can be listed for urgent hearings.
"Under Rule 6 of Order II of the Supreme Court Rules, 2013, Hon’ble the Chief Justice of India has been pleased to approve the sitting of the Vacation Benches to hear urgent Miscellaneous and Regular hearing matters during the ensuing Summer Vacation." The Supreme Court notification said.
Why are Vacation Benches appointed?
These are special courts constituted by the Chief Justice of India to ensure that urgent matters are addressed even when the court is on a break.
How to get listed for an urgent hearing?
The aggrieved can approach the Supreme Court for an urgent hearing. If the apex court decides that the case merits an urgent hearing, the Vacation Bench hears during the summer and winter breaks.
How does the SC decide that a case requires an urgent hearing?
As such there is no fixed criteria to determine if a case requires urgent hearing. However, the court mostly hears cases based on constitutional writs of habeas corpus, certiorari, prohibition and quo warranto.
Writs under the Indian constitution are written orders from the Supreme Court or High Court that commands constitutional remedies against the violation of fundamental rights.
Schedule for Vacation Bench
The summer break for 2023 started on May 22 and will go on till July 2. Similarly, the court will go on winter breaks in December for two weeks.
"During Summer Vacation the Registry will remain open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM for all the Officers and staff members of the Registry except Group-C (non-clerical) staff in whose case timings will be from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM on all the days except Saturdays (other than the July 1, 2023), Sundays and holidays when it shall remain closed," the SC notified.
The High Courts and trial courts also constitute Vacation Benches to hear urgent matters.