Law Interns & Junior Lawyers

Law Intern & Junior Lawyer Resource Hub

Supreme Court procedural guides, drafting templates, sample petitions, and direct mentorship from Senior Lawyers \u2014 all in one place, free for junior lawyers and law interns.

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Supreme Court Procedural Guides

Verified procedural information for practising at the Supreme Court of India. Always consult the latest Supreme Court Rules, 2013 and Registry circulars.

Special Leave Petition (SLP) — Filing Rules

Article 136

An SLP lies to the Supreme Court against any judgment or order of any court or tribunal in India.
Limitation period: 90 days from the date of the High Court order in civil matters; 30 days in criminal matters.
Limitation runs from the date of the order, not the date of receiving the certified copy.
A delay condonation application must be filed with an affidavit if filed beyond limitation.
Required documents: Certified copy of impugned order, SLP draft, list of dates, synopsis, vakalatnama, Index, Court fee (Rs. 500 for civil; Nil for criminal).
The SLP must be filed in the Registry of the Supreme Court of India, New Delhi or via Supreme Court portal (e-Filing).
Grounds for SLP: substantial question of law of general importance, or violation of natural justice, or perversity of findings.

Supreme Court of India — Official Filing Rules

Limitation Periods at the Supreme Court

Limitation Act

SLP (Civil): 90 days from the date of High Court order.
SLP (Criminal): 30 days from the date of High Court order.
Review Petition: 30 days from the date of the Supreme Court judgment.
Curative Petition: Filed after dismissal of review petition; no strict limitation but promptness is expected.
Writ Petition (Article 32): No fixed statutory limitation, but laches (delay) is a defence.
Civil Appeal by Certificate (Article 133/134A): 90 days from date of High Court judgment.
The Limitation Act, 1963 governs limitation for most civil proceedings.
For condonation of delay, file an application under Section 5 of the Limitation Act with a detailed affidavit explaining 'sufficient cause'.

Limitation Act, 1963 — Section 5

Urgent Listing — Mention Procedure

Procedural Rule

Urgent listing (mentioning) is allowed on Mondays and Fridays before the Chief Justice's court (CJI Court).
An advocate must submit a Mention Slip to the Senior Court Master before 10:30 AM on the mention day.
The mention slip must state the ground of urgency, the relief sought, and the case number (if registered).
Grounds for urgent listing: Execution of death sentence, imminent threat to life/liberty, habeas corpus, urgent interim relief in bail matters, and matters where delay would defeat the purpose of relief.
Anticipatory bail and urgent bail matters may be mentioned as urgent.
For vacation courts, matters can be mentioned before the vacation bench on designated days.
Urgent listing does not guarantee admission; it only brings the matter before the court at the earliest.

Supreme Court Rules, 2013 — Order IV

Writ Petition under Article 32 — Filing Guide

Article 32

A Writ Petition under Article 32 can be filed directly in the Supreme Court for enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
Fundamental Rights include: Right to Life (Article 21), Equality (Articles 14, 15, 16), Freedom of Speech (Article 19), Protection against arbitrary detention (Article 22).
Required documents: Petition with supporting affidavit, annexures (certified copies of impugned orders/notices), Index, vakalatnama, Court fee.
The petition must state: exact facts, the fundamental right violated, relief sought, and why alternate remedies are not adequate.
No limitation period strictly applies, but unexplained delay weakens the petition.
The Registry scrutinises the petition before registration; defects must be cured within the prescribed period.
After registration, the matter is listed before a bench for preliminary hearing (admission stage).

Constitution of India — Article 32

Drafting Templates & Sample Petitions

Structural templates for common Supreme Court documents. Click \u201cOpen PDF\u201d to view; click \u201cDownload\u201d to save. These are educational templates \u2014 always tailor to the specific facts of your matter.

SLP Draft Template

Civil / Criminal

Standard structural template for filing a Special Leave Petition under Article 136 of the Constitution of India. Covers cause title, synopsis, list of dates, grounds, and prayers.

PDF coming soon

Vakalatnama (Supreme Court)

Mandatory Document

Authority letter appointing an Advocate-on-Record (AOR) to represent a party before the Supreme Court of India. Required for every filing.

PDF coming soon

Synopsis & List of Dates

Filing Document

Template for drafting the Synopsis and List of Dates — mandatory documents for any SLP or appeal filing before the Supreme Court.

PDF coming soon

Bail Application (Regular Bail)

Criminal Procedure

Template for a regular bail application in criminal matters before the Supreme Court of India. Covers grounds, antecedents, and prayer.

PDF coming soon

Review Petition

Post-Judgment

Template for a Review Petition under Order XLVII of the Supreme Court Rules, 2013, read with Article 137 of the Constitution of India. Must be filed within 30 days of judgment.

PDF coming soon

Templates are for structural reference and educational purposes only. Always consult a qualified advocate before filing.

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