ISLAMABAD, Oct 28: The Supreme Court administration on Tuesday restored the old system of fixing cases for hearing, bringing back normality to and smooth functioning of the apex court.

On Monday, the working of the court had suffered due to the introduction of a new system which the lawyers and judges had found incomprehensible. Terming it unworkable, the lawyers had demanded withdrawal of the new system.

The court office issued new lists of cases for Tuesday, clearly stating when a case would be taken up and what was its serial number. The office fixed five to eight cases before every bench for the day.

The “running list” of the old cases from 1995 to 1998 will remain intact and cases will be fixed from the same list till it is exhausted. The court office is trying to clear the backlog of cases, an official said.

He said the tendency of seeking adjournments would be discouraged and referred to Chief Justice Shaikh Riaz Ahmad’s order passed on Oct 25 in this regard.

The official said if the counsel, engaged by the party, was not able to appear on a date the party shall make an alternative arrangement before hand. No time would be granted to engage a new lawyer on the date of hearing, he added.