In short. You can approach the Supreme Court of India by a special leave petition under Article 136 (usually within 90 days of the High Court judgment), a writ petition under Article 32 for breach of a fundamental right, a statutory appeal where a law provides one, or a transfer petition. Only an Advocate-on-Record can file; other advocates can argue.
This page explains the Supreme Court's jurisdiction: what kinds of cases it hears, through which provision, and what the Court looks for before it will interfere. If you already know you want to file and need the practical side (the paper book, defects, listing, mentioning and costs), read our page on filing a case as a Supreme Court lawyer in Delhi.
Advocate B.K. Singh appears before the Supreme Court in civil, criminal, commercial, service, family and tribunal matters, and the firm works with Advocates-on-Record for filing, as the Supreme Court Rules 2013 require. Most of the cases we see come up from the Delhi High Court, the Allahabad High Court (for Noida and Ghaziabad), and national tribunals such as the NCLAT, the NCDRC and the National Green Tribunal. The full list of what the firm handles is on our areas of practice page.
- Main route
- Special leave petition, Article 136
- Time limit for SLP
- 90 days from the High Court judgment
- Fundamental rights
- Writ petition under Article 32
- Who can file
- Only an Advocate-on-Record
- Review petition
- Within 30 days, usually decided in chambers
- Where
- Supreme Court of India, Tilak Marg, New Delhi
Can any case go to the Supreme Court?
Almost any case can be taken to the Supreme Court, but very few have a right to be heard there on merits. Article 136 lets the Court grant special leave to appeal against any judgment or order of any court or tribunal in India, except military tribunals. That power is wide, and it is discretionary. The Court can refuse leave in a one-line order without giving reasons, and it does so in a large share of the petitions filed.
So the real question is not whether you can file, but whether your case raises something the Supreme Court will want to look at. The Court is not a third forum to reargue facts that two courts have already examined. It intervenes where a High Court or tribunal has made a serious error of law, ignored binding precedent, reached a finding no reasonable court could reach on the evidence, or caused grave injustice. A case that simply went the other way, on a reasonable view of the facts, rarely gets past the first hearing.
There are exceptions where the Court must hear you. Some statutes give a direct appeal as of right, for example against orders of the NCLAT under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, the NCDRC in original consumer complaints, and the National Green Tribunal. Article 32 writs for fundamental rights are also a constitutional remedy, although the Court often asks petitioners to go to the High Court first.
Routes into the Supreme Court at a glance
The provision you use decides the time limit and how the Court treats your case. This table sets out the routes we use most often.
| Route | Provision | Used for | Time limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special leave petition (civil or criminal) | Article 136 | Challenging a High Court or tribunal judgment or order | 90 days from the judgment; delay can be condoned for sufficient cause |
| Writ petition | Article 32 | Direct enforcement of fundamental rights | No fixed period, but unexplained delay hurts |
| Civil appeal on certificate | Articles 133 and 134A | Where the High Court certifies a substantial question of law of general importance | If the certificate is refused, an SLP within 60 days of the refusal |
| Statutory appeal | IBC s.62, Consumer Protection Act s.67, NGT Act s.22 and others | Appeals the statute allows as of right | As fixed by the statute: 30, 45 or 90 days |
| Transfer petition | Article 139A, CPC s.25, BNSS s.446 | Moving a case from a court in one state to another | No fixed period |
| Review petition | Article 137, Order XLVII of the Supreme Court Rules | Error apparent on the face of the Supreme Court's own order | 30 days from the judgment |
| Curative petition | Inherent power (Rupa Ashok Hurra, 2002) | Gross miscarriage of justice after review is dismissed | No fixed period, but filed promptly |
Limitation is counted from the date of the judgment, but the time spent obtaining a certified copy is excluded under the Limitation Act 1963, which is why the date you applied for the certified copy matters.
What is a special leave petition (SLP) under Article 136?
A special leave petition is a request to the Supreme Court for permission to appeal. You are not appealing yet; you are asking the Court to let you appeal. If the Court grants leave, the SLP is converted into a civil appeal or criminal appeal and heard on merits, often years later. If the Court refuses leave, the matter ends there, unless a review or curative petition is possible.
An SLP can be filed against a final judgment, and also against an interim order where the order itself causes serious harm, such as refusal of bail, grant of an injunction that stops a business, or an order directing a large deposit. It can be filed by the losing party, and in some cases by a person who was not a party but is directly affected, with the Court's permission.
The SLP must show why this case deserves the Court's attention. That is done through the questions of law set out at the start of the petition, the grounds, and the synopsis with a list of dates. The judges read the synopsis first. If it does not show in two pages what went wrong below and why it matters, the rest of the petition is rarely read with care.
When does the Supreme Court grant special leave?
The Supreme Court grants leave where the case raises a substantial question of law, where the High Court has gone against settled law, or where the result is plainly unjust. It does not grant leave merely because another view of the evidence was possible. In criminal matters, the Court looks closely at convictions resting on weak or inadmissible evidence, at long incarceration, and at bail orders that ignore its own guidelines, such as those in Satender Kumar Antil v CBI (2022).
Conflicting High Court decisions on the same point improve the chances of notice. So does a question that affects many people, such as the reading of a new provision of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, or a service rule applied to thousands of employees. A purely private dispute about the value of a property, decided on evidence by two courts, usually does not.
Delay and conduct matter. If the petitioner ignored court orders below, suppressed facts, or is in contempt, the Court can refuse to exercise its discretion even if the legal point is good. Article 136 is an equitable jurisdiction, and the Court asks whether the person seeking relief has come with clean hands.
The constitutional provisions that matter
These are the articles that define what the Supreme Court can hear. Most practice turns on the first three.
Article 136: special leave to appeal
Gives the Court discretion to grant leave against any judgment, decree, determination, sentence or order passed by any court or tribunal in India, other than armed forces tribunals constituted under military law. This is the source of almost every SLP.
Article 32: writs for fundamental rights
Lets a person move the Supreme Court directly for enforcement of the fundamental rights in Part III. The Court can issue writs of habeas corpus, mandamus, certiorari, prohibition and quo warranto. It is narrower than Article 226, which lets a High Court issue writs for any legal right.
Article 137: review
Lets the Court review its own judgments and orders, subject to its Rules. Review is limited to errors apparent on the face of the record and is not a rehearing of the appeal.
Article 139A: transfer of cases
Allows the Court to withdraw cases involving the same question of law from different High Courts and decide them together, and to transfer cases from one High Court to another. Transfers between subordinate courts in different states are made under CPC s.25 for civil cases and BNSS s.446 for criminal cases.
Article 142: complete justice
Empowers the Court to pass any order needed to do complete justice in a case before it. It is used sparingly, for example to dissolve a marriage that has irretrievably broken down (Shilpa Sailesh v Varun Sreenivasan, 2023).
Articles 133 and 134: appeals on certificate
Provide for civil appeals where the High Court certifies that the case involves a substantial question of law of general importance, and for certain criminal appeals. In practice these certificates are rarely sought or granted, and the SLP route is used instead.
Can I file a writ petition directly in the Supreme Court under Article 32?
Yes, if a fundamental right is at stake, but expect the Court to ask why you did not go to the High Court first. Article 32 is itself a fundamental right, so in principle the existence of another remedy is not a bar. In practice, though, the Supreme Court regularly disposes of Article 32 petitions with liberty to approach the High Court under Article 226, because the High Court can examine facts more closely and is closer to the parties.
Article 32 petitions are usually entertained where the issue affects people across several states, where a central law or policy is challenged, where the petitioner's liberty is at stake and the matter is urgent, or where the Court is already hearing connected matters. Public interest petitions also come under Article 32, but the Court screens them for genuine public interest and will impose costs on petitions that are really private grievances or publicity exercises.
A writ under Article 32 is not a way to challenge a court judgment. If the Delhi High Court has dismissed your petition, the remedy is an SLP against that judgment, not a fresh writ in the Supreme Court on the same facts.
Which cases have a statutory appeal to the Supreme Court?
Several laws give a direct appeal to the Supreme Court, which is different from an SLP because the Court must hear it, although it can still dismiss it at the admission stage if no question of law arises. Most of these appeals lie only on a question of law, so you cannot use them to reargue facts the tribunal found.
The common ones in our practice are appeals from the NCLAT in insolvency and company matters, from the NCDRC where the NCDRC decided a complaint in its original jurisdiction, and from the National Green Tribunal. The time limits are short and strictly applied. Under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, for example, the appeal must be filed within 45 days, extendable by only 15 more, and the Court has no power to condone delay beyond that. Our pages on insolvency cases and the NGT Principal Bench explain the steps before the appeal stage.
Common statutory appeals and their time limits
| From | Law and section | Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| NCLAT (insolvency) | Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016, s.62 | 45 days, extendable by 15 days |
| NCDRC (original complaints) | Consumer Protection Act 2019, s.67 | 30 days |
| National Green Tribunal | National Green Tribunal Act 2010, s.22 | 90 days |
| High Court in NIA cases | SLP under Article 136 (the NIA Act appeal goes to the High Court first) | 90 days |
| CAT, through the High Court | Writ to the High Court, then SLP (L. Chandra Kumar, 1997) | 90 days from the High Court judgment |
Check the exact provision for your case before counting days. Some laws count from the date of the order, others from the date the order was communicated, and a mistake here cannot always be fixed.
How does a transfer petition work in the Supreme Court?
A transfer petition asks the Supreme Court to move a case from a court in one state to a court in another. Civil cases are transferred under Section 25 of the Code of Civil Procedure and criminal cases under Section 446 of the BNSS (old Section 406 CrPC). The most common transfer petitions are in matrimonial cases, where a wife living with her parents in Delhi asks for a divorce petition filed by her husband in, say, Bengaluru or Patna to be moved to a family court in Delhi.
The Court considers who will suffer more hardship in travelling, whether there are young children, the financial position of each side, safety concerns, and whether the case can be handled by video conferencing instead. Wives' petitions are often allowed, but not automatically. A husband can also seek transfer where there is a real reason, such as his own illness or the fact that the wife has already filed connected cases in his city.
Transfer petitions are usually listed quickly, and the Court often stays proceedings in the original court at the first hearing while it issues notice. The petition is also an opening for settlement: the Supreme Court regularly refers matrimonial transfer petitions to its mediation centre, and many end in a mutual consent divorce. For the family side of these disputes, see our divorce lawyer in Delhi page.
Why can only an Advocate-on-Record file in the Supreme Court?
The Supreme Court Rules 2013 allow only an Advocate-on-Record to file a petition, appeal or application, or to act for a party in the Supreme Court. An Advocate-on-Record is an advocate who has passed the Court's own examination and meets its conditions, including an office in Delhi and a registered clerk. Any other advocate enrolled with a State Bar Council can argue the case, but only when instructed by an Advocate-on-Record, and a party can also appear in person after satisfying the Registry.
In practice this means a Supreme Court matter usually involves two or three lawyers: the Advocate-on-Record who files and is responsible to the Registry, the arguing counsel, and sometimes a senior advocate. At our firm, Advocate B.K. Singh works on the case and argues it, and the filing is done through an Advocate-on-Record we work with regularly. You should know from the first meeting who is doing which part and who your point of contact is.
The rule exists for accountability. The Court holds the Advocate-on-Record responsible for the accuracy of the paper book, for not suppressing earlier petitions, and for compliance with orders. That is why an Advocate-on-Record will insist on seeing the full record before signing.
How a Supreme Court matter moves, from filing to judgment
Every case is different, but the stages are the same for most SLPs and writ petitions.
Reading the judgment and record
We read the impugned judgment, the pleadings and the evidence below to find the questions of law. This is also where we tell you honestly if we see no ground the Court is likely to entertain.
Drafting the petition
The SLP or writ is drafted with the synopsis and list of dates, the questions of law, the grounds, a separate ground for interim relief and the required declarations. Annexures are limited to documents that were part of the record below.
Filing and defects
The Advocate-on-Record files physically or on the Supreme Court's e-filing portal. The Registry checks the papers and lists defects, which must be cured within the time allowed, or the matter can be placed before the Registrar for dismissal.
Listing for admission
Once defects are cured, the matter is listed for preliminary hearing before a bench, usually on a miscellaneous day. Urgent matters can be mentioned for early listing.
First hearing
The bench may dismiss the petition, issue notice to the other side, or issue notice and grant interim relief such as a stay. Many matters end here, one way or the other.
Pleadings after notice
The respondent files a counter affidavit and the petitioner a rejoinder. Some matters are disposed of at this stage after hearing both sides.
Leave and final hearing
If leave is granted, the SLP becomes an appeal and waits for a final hearing, which can take a long time. The judgment is then delivered and is binding on all courts in India under Article 141.
A made-up example: a property SLP from the Delhi High Court
Here's a made-up example. A family in Dwarka loses a suit for possession in the trial court, wins in the first appeal, and then loses again when the Delhi High Court allows the other side's second appeal. The High Court frames a question of law, but decides the case by reappreciating the evidence on the date of a sale deed.
The family comes to us 70 days after the judgment, with a certified copy applied for on day 5 and received on day 30. Limitation is still running in their favour because the time taken to get the certified copy is excluded. The SLP argues that a second appeal under Section 100 CPC is confined to substantial questions of law and that the High Court went into facts. The Court issues notice and directs status quo on possession. Whether leave is finally granted is another matter, but the family now has a hearing and protection in the meantime. Had they come on day 150 without a good reason for the delay, the petition might have been dismissed on that ground alone.
What happens at the first hearing: dismissal, notice or interim relief
The first hearing in the Supreme Court is short, often a few minutes, and it decides more cases than any later stage. The bench has read the synopsis and the impugned judgment. Counsel gets a brief opportunity to show why the case deserves notice. If the bench is not persuaded, the SLP is dismissed, sometimes with a short reason, sometimes with just the word dismissed.
If the bench sees a point, it issues notice to the respondent, returnable on a date or in a number of weeks. Notice is not a win; it only means the Court wants to hear the other side. Along with notice, the Court may grant interim relief: a stay of the impugned order, status quo, interim bail, a stay of arrest, or a direction to deposit money. In cheque bounce and recovery matters, the Court commonly makes interim protection conditional on a deposit.
Sometimes the Court disposes of the case at the first hearing itself, for example by sending it back to the High Court for fresh decision, or by granting liberty to raise a point before the trial court. That can be a sensible outcome even if it is not the one you hoped for.
Criminal matters in the Supreme Court: bail, quashing and convictions
Criminal SLPs are mostly against High Court orders refusing bail or anticipatory bail, refusing to quash an FIR under BNSS s.528, or upholding a conviction. The Supreme Court hears bail SLPs fairly quickly because liberty is involved, and it often grants interim protection from arrest while it hears the State. In offences carrying up to seven years, it continues to apply Arnesh Kumar v State of Bihar (2014) against unnecessary arrest.
A person who has been sentenced to imprisonment and wants to file an SLP against the conviction must either surrender or apply for exemption from surrendering; the Registry will not process the petition otherwise. The exemption application has to explain why, such as the length of custody already undergone or the short sentence.
In cases under special laws, the bar for bail is higher. Section 45 PMLA, Section 37 NDPS, Section 43D(5) UAPA and the MCOCA bail provision all contain twin conditions, and the Supreme Court applies them, while also recognising that very long incarceration without trial can justify bail under Article 21 (Union of India v K.A. Najeeb, 2021). For bail before the trial court and High Court, see our bail lawyer page; for the criminal process as a whole, see criminal law practice.
Review and curative petitions: is there anything after the Supreme Court?
A review petition can be filed within 30 days of a Supreme Court judgment or order, but it is a narrow remedy. It succeeds only where there is an error apparent on the face of the record, new and important evidence that could not be produced earlier despite due diligence, or another sufficient reason of the same kind. It is not a chance to argue the case again with better arguments.
Review petitions are usually decided by circulation in chambers, by the same judges, without an oral hearing. Most are dismissed. If you want an oral hearing, you must ask for it in the petition and give reasons, and the Court decides whether to allow it.
After review is dismissed, a curative petition is possible in very rare cases, under the principle laid down in Rupa Ashok Hurra v Ashok Hurra (2002). It must show a violation of natural justice (for example, a party who was not heard) or a judge's undisclosed bias, and it must carry a certificate from a senior advocate that the grounds meet this standard. It is circulated first to the three senior-most judges and the judges who decided the case. We advise clients to treat a curative petition as the exception it is.
What to bring for a first meeting on a Supreme Court case
Bring copies, not originals, unless we ask. Missing papers are the most common reason for a slow start.
Judgments and orders
- The impugned High Court or tribunal judgment
- Certified copy, or proof of the date you applied for it
- Trial court and first appellate court judgments
- Interim orders and the order sheet of the High Court
Pleadings and evidence
- Plaint, written statement, petition and replies filed below
- Key documents exhibited at trial (sale deed, agreement, FIR, chargesheet, service records)
- Depositions of witnesses, where relevant
- English translations of documents in Hindi or other languages
Background and status
- A short note of dates in your own words
- Details of any earlier petition in any court on the same matter
- Custody certificate, if you are in jail or have surrendered
- Any settlement talks or offers made
Mistakes people make with Supreme Court cases
- Waiting for the certified copy before calling a lawyer. The SLP can be drafted while the certified copy is awaited, and an exemption application can be filed if it is late. Losing weeks at the start compresses everything later.
- Treating the SLP as a third appeal. Arguments about which witness was more believable rarely work. The petition has to show an error of law or a serious injustice.
- Adding new documents. Documents that were not before the court below cannot simply be annexed. An application for permission to file additional documents is needed and is not always allowed.
- Not disclosing earlier petitions. The petition must state whether any other petition was filed on the same matter. Suppression can lead to dismissal with costs.
- Expecting a reasoned order at admission. A dismissal at the first hearing often gives no reasons. That is how the jurisdiction works, not a sign that the case was ignored.
- Ignoring compliance below. If the High Court ordered a deposit or the trial court fixed dates, keep complying unless the Supreme Court stays the order. Filing an SLP does not by itself stop anything.
When should you not go to the Supreme Court?
Do not go to the Supreme Court where a simpler remedy is still open. If the High Court decided without considering a point you raised, a review petition before the High Court may be quicker and cheaper. If a tribunal order can still be appealed to an appellate tribunal, that appeal comes first. If a trial is going on, the Supreme Court will rarely interfere with interim orders on evidence or adjournments.
Think carefully where the amount involved is modest and the dispute is factual. The cost of a Supreme Court case, in fees, time and travel, can exceed what is at stake. In such cases we may suggest settlement, mediation, or simply accepting the High Court's decision and moving on. Advocate B.K. Singh's view is that the first opinion on a Supreme Court case should include a frank estimate of whether the Court is likely to issue notice at all. You can read about his background on his profile page.
How long does a Supreme Court case take and what does it cost?
The admission stage can be quick: a fresh SLP is often listed within a few weeks of filing once defects are cured, and urgent matters sooner. After notice, the time varies widely. Some matters are disposed of within months, others wait years for a final hearing once leave is granted. We cannot promise a timeline because listing is controlled by the Court.
The costs fall into a few parts: the Advocate-on-Record's fee, the arguing counsel's fee, a senior advocate's fee if one is engaged, court fees (which are modest in the Supreme Court), and expenses such as typing, translation and paper books. Our fees are discussed at the first meeting and agreed in writing, stage by stage: opinion, drafting and filing, admission hearing, and later hearings. Court fees and other out-of-pocket costs are separate. A person who cannot afford a lawyer may be eligible for help from the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee.
How we handle Supreme Court matters
Advocate Sadhna Singh is usually the first person you will speak to. She collects the judgment and record, sorts the papers, prepares the list of dates and keeps you informed of the Registry's progress and the next date. Advocate B.K. Singh reads the record himself before advising. What he looks at first is the question the High Court actually decided and whether it was a question of law or of fact, because that usually tells you how the Supreme Court will see it.
Filing is done through an Advocate-on-Record, and where a case benefits from a senior advocate's appearance we discuss that with you openly, including the cost. If the matter came up from a court outside Delhi, we work with the counsel who handled it below to make sure nothing in the record is missed. You can send papers in advance through our online enquiry form so that the first meeting is spent on substance.
What to do this week if you have lost in the High Court
- Note the date of the judgment and count 90 days from it
- Apply for the certified copy at once and keep the receipt
- Collect the pleadings, evidence and lower court judgments in one folder
- Write down any earlier petition filed on the same matter, in any court
- Keep complying with existing orders, deposits and dates
- Get an opinion on whether a question of law arises before deciding to file
- If you are in custody or facing arrest, tell us so we can consider urgent listing
Frequently asked questions
What is the time limit to file an SLP in the Supreme Court?
An SLP against a High Court judgment must be filed within 90 days from the date of the judgment. The time spent obtaining the certified copy is excluded. If you are late, you can file an application for condonation of delay with an affidavit explaining each period of delay, and the Court decides whether the reason is sufficient.
Can the Supreme Court refuse to hear my SLP?
Yes. Special leave under Article 136 is discretionary, and the Court can dismiss an SLP at the first hearing without giving detailed reasons. That is common. The petition needs to show a substantial question of law or a serious injustice to get past that stage.
What is the difference between an SLP and a civil appeal?
An SLP asks for permission to appeal. If the Court grants leave, the SLP is converted into a civil appeal (or criminal appeal) and heard on merits. A statutory appeal, on the other hand, is a right given by a law, and the Court must hear it, though it can still be dismissed if no question of law arises.
Can I argue my own case in the Supreme Court?
A party can appear in person, but the Registry first checks that the petitioner can assist the Court, and the procedure is strict. In practice most people who start in person later engage counsel. If you appear through a lawyer, the filing must be done by an Advocate-on-Record.
Who is an Advocate-on-Record?
An Advocate-on-Record is an advocate who has passed the Supreme Court's own examination and is registered with the Court. Only an Advocate-on-Record can file petitions and act for a party in the Supreme Court. Other advocates can argue when instructed by one.
Can I file a writ in the Supreme Court without going to the High Court?
You can file under Article 32 if a fundamental right is involved. The Court often asks petitioners to approach the High Court under Article 226 first, unless the issue affects people across states, challenges a central law, or is urgent. A writ cannot be used to challenge a court judgment.
How much time does the Supreme Court take to decide an SLP?
The first hearing is usually within weeks of filing, once defects are cured. Many SLPs are decided at that hearing. If notice is issued and leave is granted, the final hearing can take months or years, depending on the bench and the Court's listing.
What is a transfer petition in the Supreme Court?
It is a request to move a case from a court in one state to a court in another. Civil cases are transferred under Section 25 CPC and criminal cases under Section 446 BNSS. Matrimonial transfer petitions by wives are the most common, and the Court often refers them to mediation.
Can the Supreme Court stay a High Court order?
Yes. When it issues notice on an SLP, the Court can stay the impugned order, direct status quo, or grant other interim relief. A stay is not automatic and is often conditional, for example on a deposit. Until a stay is granted, the High Court's order must be followed.
What is a review petition in the Supreme Court?
A review petition asks the Supreme Court to reconsider its own judgment because of an error apparent on the face of the record or new evidence. It must be filed within 30 days and is usually decided in chambers without oral hearing. Most review petitions are dismissed.
What is a curative petition and when can it be filed?
A curative petition can be filed after a review petition is dismissed, in rare cases of gross miscarriage of justice, such as a party not being heard or a judge's undisclosed bias. It needs a certificate from a senior advocate and is first circulated to the three senior-most judges and the judges who decided the case.
Can I file an SLP against an interim order of the High Court?
Yes, an SLP lies against interim orders, but the Court is slower to interfere with them. It intervenes where the interim order causes serious harm or is plainly wrong, such as refusal of bail, an order stopping a business, or a large deposit direction. Minor procedural orders are rarely taken up.
Do I need to surrender before filing a criminal SLP against conviction?
If you have been sentenced to imprisonment, the Supreme Court Rules require you to surrender or to file an application for exemption from surrendering. The application should give reasons, such as custody already undergone or the short sentence. The Registry will not process the petition without one or the other.
Can new documents be filed in the Supreme Court?
Generally only documents that were part of the record below are annexed. If a new document is important, an application for permission to file additional documents must be made, explaining why it was not filed earlier. The Court may or may not allow it.
Can an SLP be filed against a tribunal order directly?
It depends on the tribunal. Orders of tribunals like the NCLAT, NCDRC and NGT have a statutory appeal to the Supreme Court. Orders of the Central Administrative Tribunal must first be challenged in a writ before the High Court, and only then in the Supreme Court.
What documents are needed to file an SLP?
You need the impugned judgment with a certified copy or proof of applying for it, the pleadings and evidence from the courts below, lower court judgments, English translations of documents in other languages, and details of any earlier petitions. The Advocate-on-Record prepares the paper book from these.
What happens if the Supreme Court dismisses my SLP?
The High Court judgment stands and must be complied with. A review petition can be filed within 30 days, but it succeeds only on narrow grounds. In many cases the dismissal ends the litigation, and the practical question becomes compliance or settlement.
Can a matrimonial case be transferred to Delhi by the Supreme Court?
Yes, through a transfer petition under Section 25 CPC. The Court weighs the hardship of travel, children, finances and safety. It may also allow hearings by video conferencing instead of transferring. Notice is usually issued at the first hearing, often with a stay of the case in the other court.
Is the Supreme Court judgment binding on all courts?
Yes. Under Article 141, the law declared by the Supreme Court is binding on all courts in India. A dismissal of an SLP at the admission stage without reasons does not lay down law, but a reasoned judgment after hearing does.
Is free legal aid available in the Supreme Court?
Yes. The Supreme Court Legal Services Committee provides legal aid to eligible persons, including those below an income limit, women, children and persons in custody. You apply to the Committee with your papers, and it assigns an advocate if the case is found fit.