Literal Meaning
Without designating any future date/ for an indefinite period
Origin
Latin
Explanation
Sine die means when something has no definite date or period to resume. The term is used where the date to reconvene is not defined to characterize an adjournment. A legislative entity adjourns sine die as it adjourns for the next session or trial without specifying a day. Such adjournment sine die has a distinct disadvantage of offering no finality to litigation; the action just sits there as adjourned indefinitely. However, in some cases, a court will adjourn sine die but make the matter returnable on some condition, such as seven-days’ notice.
Illustration
If a case is started with a wrong procedure, the judge can adjourn the matter sine die so that the party can choose the action again with the right procedure.
Case Laws
In Chhabildas Mehta, M.L.A. And Ors. vs. The Legislative Assembly, the Gujarat High Court observed that “The Speaker may adjourn any sitting of the House sine die or to any particular day and hour or to any part of the same day to be named by him without discussion or vote: Provided that the Speaker may if he thinks fit call a sitting of the House before the date or time to which it has been adjourned or at any time after the House has been adjourned sine die.”
The maxim was discussed in Shri. Stevie M. Marak & 2 Ors vs. Ghadc & Ors, wherein the Meghalaya High Court held that “the expression ‘adjourned sine die in popular parliamentary practice means the termination of a sitting of the House without any definite date being fixed for its next sitting.”