Article 145 of the COI

Introduction 

Article 145 of the Constitution of India, 1950 (COI) is a crucial provision that empowers the Supreme Court to regulate its own functioning through rule-making authority. This article establishes the Supreme Court's administrative autonomy while ensuring procedural fairness and systematic judicial administration. It serves as the foundational framework for the Supreme Court's internal governance, procedural mechanisms, and operational guidelines, making it one of the most significant provisions governing the apex court's functioning. 

Key Provisions of Article 145 

Rule-Making Authority (Clause 1): 

General Framework: 

• Supreme Court has inherent power to make rules for regulating practice and procedure. 
• Rules require Presidential approval before implementation. 
• Subject to any overriding legislation made by Parliament. 

Specific Areas of Rule-Making: 

Professional Practice and Advocacy: 

• Rules governing persons practicing before the Court. 
• Qualification and registration requirements for advocates. 
• Professional conduct and disciplinary measures. 

Appeals and Appellate Procedures: 

• Procedures for hearing appeals and related matters. 
• Time limits for filing appeals to the Supreme Court. 
• Documentation and procedural requirements. 

Fundamental Rights Enforcement: 

• Special procedures for cases involving Part III rights (Fundamental Rights). 
• Expedited mechanisms for constitutional remedy cases. 
• Writ jurisdiction procedures. 

Article 139A Proceedings: 

• Specific rules for transfer of cases between High Courts. 
• Inter-court coordination mechanisms. 
• Administrative procedures for case transfers. 

Criminal Appeals Management: 

• Rules for entertaining appeals under Article 134(1)(c). 
• Special procedures for criminal matters. 
• Bail and custody-related provisions. 

Review Jurisdiction: 

• Conditions for reviewing judgments and orders. 
• Time limits for filing review applications. 
• Procedural framework for review proceedings. 

Financial and Administrative Matters: 

• Court fees and cost structures. 
• Charges for various proceedings. 
• Financial regulations for court operations. 

Interim Relief Mechanisms: 

• Bail granting procedures and conditions. 
• Stay of proceedings in appropriate cases. 
• Interim orders and protective measures. 

Case Management and Disposal: 

• Summary determination of frivolous or vexatious appeals. 
• Procedures to prevent abuse of court process. 
• Mechanisms to avoid deliberate delays. 

Judicial Inquiries: 

• Procedures for inquiries under Article 317 (Judge removal proceedings). 
• Administrative processes for judicial conduct matters. 
• Investigative procedures and protocols. 

Judicial Composition and Bench Formation (Clause 2): 

Bench Constitution Authority: 

• Rules may specify the minimum number of judges for different purposes. 
• Powers and jurisdiction of single judges clearly defined. 
• Division court powers and limitations established. 
• Flexibility in bench formation based on case requirements. 

Constitutional Bench Requirements (Clause 3): 

Mandatory Five-Judge Bench: 

• Constitutional interpretation cases require a minimum of five judges. 
• Reference cases under Article 143 need a five-judge constitution. 
• Substantial constitutional questions mandate larger bench. 

Referral Mechanism: 

• Smaller benches must refer constitutional questions to the five-judge bench. 
• Automatic referral when constitutional interpretation becomes necessary. 
• Binding nature of constitutional bench opinions on referring courts. 
• Disposal of cases must conform to constitutional bench opinions. 

Open Court Requirements (Clause 4): 

Transparency Mandates: 

• All judgments must be delivered in open court. 
• Article 143 reports (advisory jurisdiction) delivered publicly. 
• No secret or private judgment delivery permitted. 
• Public access to judicial pronouncements ensured.

Majority Decision Rule (Clause 5): 

Decision-Making Process: 

• Judgments require concurrence of the majority of judges present. 
• Advisory opinions also follow the majority rule principle. 
• Dissenting judges retain right to deliver separate judgments. 
• Minority opinions preserved and recorded for legal development. 

Dissenting Opinion Rights: 

• Non-concurring judges may deliver dissenting judgments. 
• Dissenting opinions contribute to jurisprudential development. 
• Alternative legal reasoning preserved for future reference. 
• Intellectual discourse and legal debate encouraged. 

Constitutional Significance 

Administrative Independence: 

• Article 145 ensures the Supreme Court's administrative autonomy by allowing it to govern its own procedures while maintaining constitutional oversight through Presidential approval. 

Procedural Fairness: 

• The provision establishes systematic procedures ensuring fair hearing, proper representation, and transparent judicial processes for all parties appearing before the apex court. 

Constitutional Supremacy: 

• The mandatory five-judge bench requirement for constitutional matters ensures thorough deliberation on fundamental constitutional questions and maintains consistency in constitutional interpretation. 

Judicial Transparency: 

• Open court requirements promote public confidence in the judicial system and ensure accountability in judicial decision-making processes. 

Conclusion 

Article 145 represents a masterful balance between judicial independence and constitutional accountability. It empowers the Supreme Court to function efficiently through self-regulation while ensuring that its operations remain transparent, fair, and constitutionally compliant. The provision's comprehensive framework covers every aspect of the Court's functioning, from professional practice to constitutional interpretation, making it an indispensable pillar of India's judicial architecture.