NCLT Bar Association Moves Supreme Court Over Half-Day Sittings at 18 Benches

The NCLT Bar Association has moved the Supreme Court alleging that shortages of judicial and technical members are forcing at least eighteen National Company Law Tribunal benches to function only for half days.

What is under challenge

The Association filed an intervention application in the Supreme Court's pending suo motu proceedings concerning NCLT appointments and infrastructure. It said the tribunal's sanctioned strength remains 63 despite the substantial expansion of work after the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code.

Legal issue before the Court

According to the application, as of June 30 the tribunal had 26 judicial members and 25 technical members, including the President. Vacancies arising from retirement or completion of tenure are often left unfilled, affecting roster arrangements and hearing time.

The plea also raises infrastructure concerns in Delhi, including courtrooms affected by roof leakage, cramped facilities, stalled renovation work and inadequate waiting areas. It further says support staff are largely temporary or contractual and that outages of the Document Management System have caused adjournments.

Present position / next step

The Association wants replacement appointments to be made before sitting members leave office and seeks broader improvements in staffing, premises and technology.