The Customs Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) issued a Circular on May 16, 2024 to address the backlog of appeals filed before 2018. Directed by the CESTAT president, the circular stresses the urgent need to resolve these longstanding appeals. Consequently, the Registry has been instructed to prioritize the listing and prompt disposal of these pre-2018 appeals to expedite their resolution.

The circular states as follows:

“On a review of the monthly statement of appeals, long pending cases have come to the notice of the Hon’ble President It has since been directed that all appeals prior to the year 2018 Shall be listed by the Registry on priority basis.

The notice of hearing/cause list may state that no adjournment would be granted to such appeals.”