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Legal Language and Legal Writing

India’s Legal Profession’s Development

India, with its rich cultural heritage and diverse population, has always maintained a complex and evolving legal landscape. The legal profession in India has seen significant development and transformation over the years, reflecting the country’s socio-political changes, economic growth, and global integration.

Historical Overview

The origins of India’s legal system can be traced back to ancient times, where the concept of justice was administered through traditional practices, customs, and religious texts. Over time, with the advent of colonial rule, India was introduced to the British legal system, which laid the foundation for its modern legal framework.

Post-independence, India embarked on a journey to establish a democratic, secular, and socialist nation. The Constitution of India, adopted in 1950, became the supreme law of the land, providing the framework for the country’s legal system and establishing the judiciary as an independent and impartial institution.

Evolution and Growth

The evolution of India’s legal profession can be characterized by several key milestones:

  1. Expansion of Legal Education: The establishment of premier law schools and universities, such as the National Law Schools, has played a pivotal role in raising the standards of legal education in India. These institutions have produced a new generation of legal professionals equipped with advanced knowledge and skills to meet the demands of a globalized world.
  2. Specialization and Diversification: The legal profession in India has witnessed a shift towards specialization, with lawyers focusing on niche areas such as corporate law, intellectual property rights, environmental law, and international law. This diversification has enabled legal professionals to cater to the specific needs of various sectors and industries, contributing to the country’s economic development.
  3. Advancements in Legal Technology: With the advent of technology, the legal profession in India has undergone a digital transformation. The use of legal tech platforms, online dispute resolution mechanisms, and artificial intelligence tools has enhanced efficiency, transparency, and accessibility in the legal system.
  4. Global Integration: India’s legal profession has become increasingly integrated with the global legal community. International collaborations, cross-border transactions, and participation in international arbitration and mediation have expanded the horizons for Indian legal professionals, enabling them to engage with global legal practices and standards.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite its growth and development, the Indian legal profession faces several challenges, including:

  • Backlog of Cases: The high number of pending cases in Indian courts remains a significant concern, leading to delays in the delivery of justice and undermining public confidence in the legal system.
  • Access to Justice: Access to legal services remains a challenge for marginalized and underprivileged communities due to factors such as high costs, a lack of awareness, and geographical barriers.
  • Regulatory Reforms: There is a need for continuous regulatory reforms to streamline legal education, enhance professional standards, and address issues such as lawyer’s misconduct and unethical practices.

However, these challenges also present opportunities for innovation, reform, and growth within the legal profession. Initiatives such as legal aid programs, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, and pro bono services can help improve access to justice and make the legal system more inclusive and equitable.

Conclusion

The development of India’s legal profession is a testament to the country’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, promoting justice, and fostering democratic values. While significant progress has been made over the years, there is still much work to be done to address the existing challenges and realize the full potential of the legal profession in India.

By embracing technological advancements, enhancing legal education, promoting specialization, and ensuring access to justice for all, India can continue to strengthen its legal profession, uphold the principles of justice, and contribute to the country’s overall growth and development on the global stage.

Caveat Under Civil Procedure Code

In line with Section 148 of the Civil Process Law, the caveat petition has been submitted. A caveat typically means “a warning or caution, cautious.” It is a phrase that is frequently used in law to alert someone to the possibility of a hidden issue. Under the Law of Civil Procedure, a warning

According to the law, it is a formal notice or warning that is issued to a judge, ministerial officer, or court by a party with a stake in the outcome to express disagreement to a specific action that is within that person’s scope of authority. The Court understands a caveat as a caution or warning given to the court by a person that the court should not make any judgement or an ex-parte order/order without first notifying or hearing the person who is known as the caveator. also learn more about the caveat legal notice

Need for Caveat Under the Code of Civil Procedure

It is described by law as a formal notice or warning delivered to a judge, minister, or court by an interested party in opposition to a specific action within his or her authority. The Court understands a caveat to be a caution or warning given to the court by a person that the court should not render any judgement or ex parte order/order without prior notice or without hearing the person who is known as the caveator. also learn more about the legal notice for caveat

The filing of such a caveat gives Raj the right to receive notice from the court and Mr. Aniket of any application that has been or will be filed, and any order made by the court without such notice is void. You can be aware Online Caveat Petition for Businesses: What it Is.

Content to Be included in a Caveat

The format for submitting a Caveat varies depending on the norms and practices of the various courts of law. However, the following details are typically included in the fundamental framework of a Caveat Application:

  • The caveat’s effective date.
  • The caveator’s name and address.
  • Particulars about the complaint filed or likely to be filed, such as the names of the Plaintiff and Defendant, as well as the number of cases filed before the court of law Action.
  • Vakalatnama.
  • A copy of the contested order (if applicable).
  • An affidavit in support of the lodged Caveat.
  • A copy, postal evidence, and an application stating that the notice was duly served on all persons involved must be attached to the application. Both the petition and the Affidavit must be signed.
  • Court fees, normally not exceeding a hundred rupees, have to be paid simultaneously with the application, subject to the rules imposed by the each court.

Caveat application under Section 148A of CPC

A legal strategy for defending a party’s interest in an appeal proceeding is to file a caveat application under Section 148A of the CPC.

A party can make sure they are informed prior to the entry of any order or judgement in an appeal case by submitting a caveat in accordance with Section 148A.

How to break the caveat petition ?

  1. A Warning An application to vacate or withdraw the caveat may be filed to violate the Code of Civil Procedure.

2. The application must be submitted to the proper court and include precise justifications for removing or vacating the caveat.

3. The court will take into account the arguments made in the application and, if necessary, it may vacate or withdraw the caveat.

4. Before making any moves to void or withdraw a caveat, it is important to consult a legal expert because breaking a caveat petition can be a difficult process.

TRAIL AND ACQUITTAL

Meaning of Trial

Trial is the process in a court of law where a judge or a magistrate listens to evidence and decides if somebody is guilty of a crime or not. A trial is a coming together of parties to a dispute, to present information (in the form of evidence) in a tribunal, a formal setting with the authority to adjudicate claims or disputes. There are 4 types of trial of offenses in the Indian legal system namely Trial by Court of Session, Trial of Warrant case, Trial of Summons case, Summary trials.

The term “trial” is not defined anywhere in the Code of Criminal Procedure, however, it means a commonly understood stage of trial that begins after the preparation of the charge and ends with conviction or acquittal.

  1. Sessions Trial or Trial by court of Session: – If the offense committed is punishable with more than seven years of imprisonment or Life imprisonment or Death, the trial is to be conducted in a Sessions court after being committed or forwarded to the court by a magistrate.
  2. Warrant Trial or Trial of Warrant cases: – Warrant case includes offence punishable with the death penalty, imprisonment for life and imprisonment exceeding two years.  A trial in a warrant case begins either by filing an FIR in a Police Station or by filing it before a Magistrate.
  3. Summons Trial or Trial of Summons cases: – If the offense committed is punishable by imprisonment less than two years, it is treated as a summons case. In relation to this crime, it is not necessary to frame charges. The magistrate issues summons under section 204 (1) (a) of Cr.P.C, 1973. “Summons case” means a case related to the offense, not a case of a warrant.

4. Summary Trials: – The trials in which cases are disposed of rapidly and a simple procedure is followed and recording of such trials are done summarily. In this trial only small cases are taken up and complex cases are reserved for summons and warrant trials. The legal provisions for summary trial are given under section 260-265 of Cr.P.C, 1973.

Acquittal

Acquittal in general terms means that the accused is innocent and has not committed the offense he/she was accused of. The decision of acquittal is given by the judge after inspecting all the evidence and hearing arguments of the defense and the prosecution. It implies that no evidence has been brought up to prove that the accused has carried out an offense as per the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. 

DAMAGE & Damages

What is meant by damage ?

The term damage in legal parlance refers to the loss or any form of injury or disadvantage caused to a particular individual through natural means, and accident or intentional actions with motives can be termed as damage.

Damages might be associated with other terms that are used in legal parlances like compensation or indemnity. Damages can be awarded to people in cases of loss suffered to property, medical malpractice, the loss suffered in income or any other legal violation. An essential feature of damages is tangibility, but even this feature might differ from case to case depending on the nature of the damage sustained.

the basic difference between the two terms compensation & damage  depends on the facts of the case, compensation is always fixed on basic principles under Sec. 73 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 and damages are ascertained based on varying circumstances unique to the instance prevalent in a particular case.

Damage

  1. The loss caused by one person to another or to his property, either with the design of injuring him, with negligence and carelessness, or by inevitable accident.
  2. The loss which some one has sustained, and the gain which he has failed to make. e.g., by tempest, earthquake, or other natural cause, the loss must be borne by the owner.stances unique to the instance prevalent in a particular case.

Damages


  1. Financial compensation is awarded to someone who suffered an injury or was harmed by someone else’s wrongful act.
  2. The indemnity is given by law and is to be recovered from a wrongdoer by the person who has sustained an injury, either in his person, property, or relative rights, in consequence of the acts of another.

Damages are given either for breaches of contracts or for tortious acts.

Damages for breach of contract may be given, for example, for the non-performance of a written or verbal agreement, or of a covenant to do or not to do a particular thing.

As to the measure of damages, the general rule is that the delinquent shall answer for all the injury which results from the immediate and direct breach of his agreement, but not from secondary and remote consequences.

Damages for tortious acts are given for acts against the person, such as an assault and battery against the reputation, e.g., libels and slander; against the property, e.g., trespass, when force is used; for the consequential acts of the tort-feasor, e.g., when a man, in consequence of building a dam on his own premises, overflows his neighbor’s land; against the relative rights of the party injured, e.g., for criminal conversation with his wife.

Damages for torts are either compensatory or vindictive.:

  • Law grants damages by way of restitution or compensation and not by way of punishment. 
  • Damages are awarded in terms of money.
  • The injured party can claim damages through a court of law.
  • Damage is not punishment but compensation for legal injury.
  • Awarding damages is the common law remedy. 
  • Damages include compensation & other losses. Sometimes interest also. 
  • The object of damages for breach of contract is to put the injured party in the same financial position. This is also called the doctrine of restitution. 

Kinds of damages 

 1)   General or substantial or ordinary. 

2 )   Specific or particular damages

3 )    Vindictive or exemplary. Or punitive 

  4)    nominal damages.

General damages are those which arise naturally in the ordinary course of events from the breach of contract. 

These damages constitute the direct loss suffered by the injured party. 

These are paid for the proximate cause of breach of contract. 

Rule Of Hadley vs Baxendale evaluate.

It is recoverable from the promisor. 

Specific or particular damages

Damages that arise from unusual circumstances known to both the parties to the contract are called special damages. Parties responsible for the special losses they made were known to the other party at the time of the making of the contract.                                                                  

Vindictive or exemplary. Or punitive 

Punitive damages are awarded the intention of punishing the default action party for not doing the same in the future. These are quite heavy in amount. These are not ordinarily awarded for breach of contract.

Ex: breach of promise to marry 

dishonor of cheque.

Nominal damages or contemptuous damages 

These are quite small in amount 

These are neither compensatory nor punitive

 The measure of damages (principles regarding damages )

  • The nature & extent of the injury.
  • Whether the liability of the defendant is vicarious or not
  • date of calculation 
  • Cost of decree

           The relationship between the plaintiff and the defendant

  • Actual loss date of calculation 
  • Loss arising in the usual course of things 
  • Same financial position 
  • Duty to mitigate the loss
  • Damage agreed upon in advance in case of breach
  • Mental Pain & suffering
  • Default in the payment of money 
  • Difficulty in the calculation.

Types of damages 

1 ) Liquidated damages

2)   Unliquidated damages 

Liquidated damages ;(The sum is fixed in advance and written into the contract.)

Section 74 deals with liquidated damages, relating to stipulated damages. Thus, there has to be a breach of the contract In order for the plaintiff to claim damages. In cases where there may be a reasonable revocation of the contract without any breach of the terms of the contract, the claim for damages should not arise as there is no breach per se.

Liquidated damages, also referred to as liquidated and ascertained damages (LADs), are damages whose amount the parties designate during the formation of a Contract for the injured party to collect as compensation upon a specific breach (e.g. late performance). This is most applicable where the damages are intangible, such as a failure by the contractor on a public project to fulfill minority business subcontracting quotas.

The purpose of a liquidated damages clause is to increase certainty and avoid the legal costs of determining actual damages later if the contract is breached. Thus, they are most appropriate when (a) the parties can agree in advance on reasonable compensation for breach, but (b) the court would have a difficult time determining fair compensation at the time of the breach. Under the common law, liquidated damages may not be set so high that they are penalty clauses rather than fair compensation. Courts have no power to reduce or enhance the amount. these damages are t obe granted in full, irrespective of the extent of the loss.

Unliquidated damages

 Unliquidated damages are damages that are payable for a breach of contract, the exact amount of which has not been pre-agreed

Section 73 deals with actual damages resulting from infringement of the contract and the injury arising from such infringement which is in the nature of unliquidated damages since such damages are granted by the courts on the basis of an evaluation of the loss or injury caused to the party against which the infringement occurred.

In order to award unliquidated damages to the plaintiff, the court opts for a compensatory approach:

  • Recover the loss incurred by the complainant
  • Return the complainant to the position he had before the breach
  • Minimize penalizing the respondent
  • Avoid enhancing the complainant’s position over and above where it would have been if the breach did not take place

The money value of damage that has not been determined in the contract , it is paid in case of contract. 

The court decides the quantum of damages & compensation.

The damages, which can be fixed after the tortious liability arose, are called unliquidated damages. 

PLAINTIFF

The  Plaint is a document for instituting a suit in the proper court of law.it is very important, to draft by the advocate with the consultation of his client. under section 26 of the c.p.c, every suit shall be instituted by the presentation of the plaint. In the plaint, the plaintiff should allege facts about his cause of action. A plant that is presented to a civil court of appropriate jurisdiction contains everything, including facts to relief that the plaintiff expects to obtain.

The plaint is defined in order 7 of CPC. Rules 1 to 8 of order relate to particulars in a plaint. Rule 9 lays down the procedure for plaint being admitted. Whereas rules 10 to 10-B provide for the return of plaint, and appearance of parties, rules 11 to 13 deal with rejection of the plaint. Rules 14 to 17 contain provisions for the production of documents. Order 7should be read with section 26 of the code.

Every plant shall contain some particulars 

  • Name of the court in which the suit is brought.
  • The name, description, and place of residence of the plaintiff.
  • (Here description means age, fathers name, total particulars of plaintiff)
  • The name, description, and place of residence of the defendant.
  • In the case of more than one plaintiff, the name of each concerned plaintiff should be given numbering as 1,2,3.
  • In case the plaintiff or defendant is a minor or a person of unsound mind, that statement is also mentioned here.
  • The facts which are constituting the cause of action, and when it arises.
  • Court jurisdiction 
  • The relief what the plaintiff is claiming
  • The statement of the value of the subject matter of the suit for the purpose of jurisdiction and court fees admits 
  • Relief or prayer. ( according to rule 1(g) of order v11 0f the CPC the plaint shall contain the relief which the plaintiff claims. In a civil suit, different kinds of reliefs can be claimed.
  • Ex: recovery of debt, damages,possession & declaration of title. declaration of any right for specific performance., injunction, rendering of account, the appointment of a receiver).:
  • Signature &    verification .
  • (as per order v1, rule14 of the CPC every plaint shall be signed by the plaintiff and his advocate. In case of the plaintiff is illiterate and cannot make a signature, on that time he may put his thumb mark on the plaint)
  • Who can verify 
  1. By the party ( in case of single)
  2. By one of the parties ( in case of several parties)
  3. By a third person who is proved to the satisfaction of the court
  4. In case suit against the corporation —by the secretary or any director or principal officer of the corporation.
  5. In case suit against a minor or disabled person —-verified by any authorized person or guardian, or next person who may become a plaintiff.
  6. In case an idol—— a trustee or legally authorized person or a representative appointed under order 1 rule 8 of the CPC. .

Grounds for rejection of plaint

  • Where it does not disclose a cause of action.
  • Where the relief claimed is undervalued 
  • No stamping 
  • Time is barred by any law. 
  • Where it is not filed in duplicate.

.

WRITTEN STATEMENT

 Actually, it is a pleading of the defendant in the answer of the plaintiff led by the plaint against him. It is a reply statement of the defendant in a suit specifically denying the allegations made against him by the plaintiff in his plaint. The provision regarding the written statement has been provided in the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.

Who may be written statement:

A written statement may be filed by the defendant or by his duly authorized agent. In the case of more than one defendant, the common written statement led by them must be signed by all of them. But it is succinct if it is verified by one of them who is aware of the facts of the case and is in a position to lead an affidavit. But a written statement led by one defendant does not bind other defendants.

The time limit for written statements:

A written statement should be made within thirty days from the service of the summons on him. The said period, however, can be extended up to ninety days,(Rule -1). A defendant should present a written statement of his defense in the said period.

Particulars: Rules 1-5 and 7-10

 Before proceeding to draft a written statement it is absolutely necessary for the defendant to examine the plant carefully.

New facts, such as the suit is not maintainable, or that the transaction is either void or voidable in law, and all such grounds of defense, if not raised, would take the plaintiff by surprise, or would raise issues of fact not arising out of the plaint, such as fraud, limitation, release, payment, performance or facts showing illegality, etc. must be raised. (Order 8 Rule 2)

It is not succinct for a defendant in his written statement to generally deny the grounds alleged by the plaintiff, but he must deal especially with each allegation of fact which he does not admit, except for damages

. The denial should not be vague or evasive. Where a defendant wants to deny any allegation of fact in the plaint, he must do so clearly, especially and explicitly, and not evasively or generally

Where the defendant relies upon several distinct grounds of defense or set-o or counterclaim founded upon separate and distinct facts, they should be stated separately and distinctly.

Any new ground of defense which has arisen after the institution of the suit is a presentation of a written statement claiming a set-o or counterclaim may be raised by the defendant or plaintiff in his written statement as the case may be

.If the defendant fails to present his written statement within the time permitted or relaxed by the court, the court will pronounce the judgment against him or pass such order in relation to the suit as it thinks it, and a decree will be drawn up according to the said judgment.

CONTRACT

The Indian Contract Act, 1872 defines the term “Contract” under its section 2 (h) as “An agreement enforceable by law”. In other words, we can say that a contract is anything that is an agreement and enforceable by the law of the land.

contract, in the simplest definition, a promise enforceable by law. The promise may be to do something or to refrain from doing something. The making of a contract requires the mutual assent of two or more persons, one of them ordinarily making an offer and another accepting

In simple terms, a contract means when two parties put into writing an agreement which contains certain obligations (promises) which are to be performed by such parties, and when such written agreement becomes enforceable by law, it becomes a Contract. Enforceable by law means when the agreement has acquired the force of law only for those who are a party to it and a violation of those obligations would attract legal action, including repudiation of the entire contract.

TYPES OF CONTRACT

Implied Contract

A Contract inferred by

• The conduct of person

• The circumstances of the case.

By implies contract means implied by law (i.e.) the law implied a contract through parties never intended.

According to sec 9 in so for as such proposed or acceptance is made otherwise than in words, the promise is said to be implied.

Example: A stops a taxi by waving his hand and takes his seat. There is an implied contract that A will pay the prescribed fare.

Quasi-contract

In such a types of contract, the rights and obligations arise not by an agreement but by operation of law.

Example: If Mr A leaves his goods at Mr B’s shop by mistake, then it is for Mr. B to return the goods or to compensate for the price.

E-contract

An E-contract is a contract made through the digital mode.

Example: Via Internet

Executed contract

In an executed contract both the parties have performed their promises under a contract.

Example: A contracts to buy a car from B by paying cash, B instantly delivers his car.

Executory contract

In a Executory contract both the parties are yet to perform their promises.

Example: A sells his car to B for Rs. 2 lakh. If A is still to deliver the car and B is yet to pay the price, it is an Eexecutory contract.

Partly Executed and partly executory contract

In a partly executed and partly executory contract, one party has already performed his promised and the other party has yet to execute his promise.

Example: Anuj sells his bike to Bibek. Though Anuj has delivered the bike, Bibek has yet to pay the price. For Anuj, it is an executed contract, whereas it is an executory contract on the part of Bibek since the price has yet to be paid.

Unilateral Contract

A unilateral contract is also known as a one-sided contract. It is a type of contract where only one party has to perform his promise.

Example: Anuj promises to pay Rs. 1000 to anyone who finds his lost cellphone. B finds and returns it to Anuj. From the time B found the cellphone, the contract came into existence. Now Anuj has to perform his promise, i.e. the payment of Rs. 1,000.

Bilateral contract

A Bilateral contract is one where the obligation or promise is outstanding on the part of both the parties. It is also known as a two-sided contract.

Example: Aj promises to sell his car to Bj for Rs. 1 lakh and agrees to deliver the car on the receipt of the payment by the end of the week. The contract is bilateral as both the parties have exchanged a promise to be performed within a stipulated time.

Valid contract

If the contract entered into by the parties and satisfies all the elements of a valid contract as per the act, it is said to be a valid contract.

Void contract

Section 2 (j) states as follows: “A contract which ceases to be enforceable by law becomes void when it ceases to be enforceable”. Thus a void contract is one which cannot be enforced by a court of law.

Example: Mr Aj agrees to write a book with a publisher. After few days, Aj dies in an accident. Here the contract becomes void due to the impossibility of performance of the contract.

It may be added by way of clarification here that when a contract is void, it is not a contract at all but for the purpose of identifying it, it has to be called a void contract.

Voidable contract

Section 2(i) defines that an agreement which is enforceable by law at the option of one or more parties but not at the option of the other or others is a voidable contract.

This infact means where one of the parties to the agreement is in a position or is legally entitled or authorized to avoid performing his part, then the agreement is treated and becomes voidable.

Such a right might arise from the fact that the contract may have been brought about by one of the parties by coercion,undue influence, fraud or misrepresentation and hence the other party has a right to treat it as a voidable contract.

Illegal contract

Illegal contract are those that are forbidden by law. All illegal contracts are hence void also. Because of the illegality of their nature they cannot be enforced by any court of law.

In fact, even associated contracts cannot be enforced. Contracts which are opposed to public policy or immoral are illegal. Similarly contracts to commit a crime like supari contracts are illegal contracts.

Unenforceable contract

A type of contract which satisfies all the requirements of the contract but has technical defects is called an unenforceable contract.

A contract is said to have a technical defect when it does not fulfil the legal formalities required by some other act. When such legal formalities are compiled with, later on, the act becomes enforceable.


Difference Between Void and Voidable Contract

BasisVoid ContractVoidable Contract
NatureValid when made but subsequently becomes unenforceable.It remains as voidable until cancelled by the party
PerformanceParty cannot demand the performance of contract.If aggrieved party does not cancel it within a reason-able time, performance can be demanded.
DamagesParty cannot claim damages.Party can demand damages in certain cases.
Right or RemedyNo legal remedy is available for the void contract.Aggrieved party has a remedy to cancel the contract.
DefinitionIt means contract which ceases to be enforceable.It means an agreement enforceable by law, by one or more parties.
ReasonContract becomes void due to change in law or circumstances.If consent is not obtained freely then it is regarded as a voidable contract.

JURISDICTION AND  KINDS

In simple words, jurisdiction can be defined as the limit of judicial authority or the extent to which a court of law can exercise its authority over suits, cases, appeals, and other proceedings. The rationale behind introducing the concept of jurisdiction in law is that a court should be able to try and adjudicate only in those matters with which it has some connection or which fall within the territorial or pecuniary limits of its authority.

The basis to determine jurisdiction

Jurisdiction is determined mainly on the grounds of:

  1. Fiscal value;
  2. Geographical boundaries of a court;
  3. The subject matter of court.

So, the Court, before accepting notice of crime, needs to take into consideration the following characteristics:

  • The Fiscal value of the trial.
  • The specialties of the case.
  • The regional limits of the court.

Territorial or local jurisdiction

Under this territorial or local jurisdiction, the geographical limits of a court’s authority are clearly delineated and specified. It cannot exercise authority beyond that geographical/ territorial limit

Section 16 that the suit pertaining to immovable property should be brought to the court. The court does not have the power to decide the rights of property which are not situated. However, the court can still pass a relief if the opposite party agrees to try the suit in such a case.

Pecuniary jurisdiction

Pecuniary means ‘related to capital.’ It approaches the question of whether the court is competent to try the case of the financial value. The code allows analyzing the case unless the suit’s value exceeds the financial limit of the court. Section 15 of the Code of Civil Procedure commands the organization of the suit in the court of the low grade. It refers to the pecuniary jurisdiction of the Civil court.

Jurisdiction as to the subject matter

The subject matter can be defined as the authority vested in a court to understand and try cases concerning a special type of subject matter. In other words, it means that some courts are banned from hearing cases of a certain nature. No question of choices can be decided by the court which does not have subject matter jurisdiction.

Original and appellate jurisdiction

Appellate jurisdiction refers to the court’s authority to review or rehearse the cases that have been already decided in the lower courts. In the Indian circumstances, both the High Court and Supreme Court have the appellate jurisdiction to take the subjects that are bought in the form of appeals.

Original Jurisdiction refers to the court’s authority to take notice of cases that could be decided in these courts in the first instance itself. Unlike appellate jurisdiction wherein courts review the previously decided matter, here the cases are heard afresh.

Exclusive and concurrent jurisdiction

In Civil Procedure, exclusive jurisdiction means where a single court has the authority to decide a case to the rejection of all the courts. This jurisdiction is decided on the basis of the subject matter dealt with by a specific court. For example, the U.S District courts have particular jurisdiction over insolvency topics.

Concurrent jurisdiction exists where two or more courts from different systems simultaneously have jurisdiction over a particular case. In this situation, parties will try to have their civil or criminal case heard in the court that they perceive will be most favorable to them.

General and special jurisdiction

General jurisdiction means that general courts do not limit themselves to hearing only one type of case. This type of jurisdiction means that a court has the power to hear all types of cases. So the court that has general jurisdiction can hear criminal, civil, family court cases,s and much more.

Specific jurisdiction is the ability of the court to hear a lawsuit in a state other than the defendant’s home state if that defendant has minimum contacts within the state where the suit will be tried.

Legal and equitable jurisdiction

Equitable jurisdiction belongs to the authorities of the courts to take specific actions and pass some orders in order to deliver an equitable and reasonable outcome. These judgments are usually outside the purview of law, in the sense that support provided by the courts may not be necessarily confirmed by the statute.

Expounding and expanding jurisdiction

Expounding jurisdiction means to describe, clarify and explain jurisdiction. Expanding jurisdiction means to develop, expand or prolong jurisdiction. It is the duty of the court to clarify its jurisdiction and it is not proper for the court to extend its jurisdiction.

Execution  & Attachment

The word ‘execution’ is not defined in the C.P.C. It simply means the process for enforcing the decree that is passed in favor of the decree-holder. As per Rule 2 (e) of Civil Rules of Practice “Execution Petition” means the Petition to the court for the execution of any decree or order.

Choice of the mode of execution

There are various modes of execution that are acceptable according to Sec.51 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. According to this section, the various modes of execution of a decree are:

  • Delivery of any property that is specifically mentioned in the decree;
  • Attachment and sale of property;
  • Sale without an attachment of property;
  • The arrest of the judgment debtor;
  • Detention of the judgment debtor;
  • Appointment of a receiver.

Section 47 of the Code of Civil Procedure provides certain questions to be determined by the Court before executing the decree. The Court has to determine all questions arising between the parties to the suit, like:

  • Execution of decree;
  • The satisfaction of decree;
  • Discharge of the decree;
  • The Court can also determine whether the person is representative of a party or not.

The application of execution has to be filed by the decree-holder and the application can either be an oral application or a written application.

Modes of executing decrees

There are various ways to execute a decree, the Court has to follow the appropriate rules provided in Order 21 while executing a decree. According to Order XXI Rule 10, an application has to be filed in the Court by the decree-holder if he desires to execute it.

Delivery of property

Delivery of property is one of the most famous modes of executing a treaty. According to order XXI Rule 79, it is said that when the property that is sold is a movable property of which actual seizure has been made, it shall be delivered to the purchaser. Rule 35 of Order XXI discusses the rules regarding the decree of immovable property. According to this rule,

  • When the decree is for the delivery of immovable property, the property can be delivered to the person to whom it has been adjudged or to the representative of that person;
  • This delivery has to be made after removing any person bound by the decree who refuses to vacate the property; 
  • When the decree is for the joint possession of the immovable property, the possession shall be delivered after affixing the copy of the warrant in a place that is visible;
  • When the person in possession is not providing free access to the property, then the Court can remove or open any lock or bolt or break open any door or do any other act necessary for putting the decree-holder in possession after giving proper warning to the women in that property.

 Attachment and sale of property

Section 60 of the Code of Civil Procedure provides the list of properties that are liable to attachment and sale in execution of the decree. The list which is liable to be attached for enforcement of decree according to this Section is:

  • Land;
  • Houses or other buildings;
  • Goods and Money;
  • Banknotes and cheques;
  • Bill of exchanges and promissory notes;
  • Hundis;
  • Government Securities, bonds, and other securities for money;
  • Debts; 
  • Shares in the corporation;
  • All other saleable property that belongs to the judgment-debtor can be movable or immovable.

Section 61 of the Code of Civil Procedure provides a partial exemption of agricultural produce.

Order XXI Rule 3 of the Code of Civil Procedure provides that if the immovable property is located within more than the local limits of the jurisdiction of one or more courts, then one of the Courts can sell and attach the property. According to order XXI Rule 13, there has to be certain information in the application for attachment of immovable property. According to Order XXI Rule 31, the decree for the specific movable property can be executed by:

  • Seizure of the property if it is practicable;
  • Delivery of the property to the person whom it has been adjudged;
  • The detention of judgment debtors in the civil prison.

Rule 41 of the Order XXI provides power to provide orders to the Court to examine the property of judgment debtors. The court may provide orders to the judgment debtor or officers in the case of firms to submit the relevant books and documents for examination. The value of the property is assessed in order to examine whether it would be sufficient for satisfying the decree. The judgment debtor, the officer in the case of corporations, and any other relevant person can be orally examined. According to Section 64 of the Code of Civil Procedure, any private alienation or transfer of property after the attachment, then the transfer would be considered void. Section 74 of the Code of Civil Procedure provides the power to arrest the judgment-debtor if they have obstructed or restricted the decree-holder from obtaining possession of any immovable property. The judgment debtor can be detained in prison for thirty days by the order of the Court.

Arrest and detention

Section 55 of the Code of Civil Procedure deals with various rules regarding arrest and detention. According to this Section,

  • The judgment debtor can be arrested at any time of the day and can be brought before the Court.
  • The detention of the Judgment debtor should be in civil prison.
  • No officer can enter the dwelling-house after sunset and before sunrise for making an arrest.
  • The officer should release the judgment debtor once the amount is paid.

Rule 37 of the Order XXI in the Code of Civil Procedure provides discretionary power to the judgment debtor to show cause against detention in prison. According to this rule:

  • Where the application is made for the execution of the decree for the payment of money by the arrest and detention of a judgment-debtor in the civil prison, then the Court provides an opportunity to the judgment debtor to show cause why he should not be sent to the civil prison.
  • The Court provides notice to the judgment debtor to appear before the court on a specified date and provide show cause.
  • The Court will also not provide the notice in certain situations, for example, if the court feels it would delay the process of execution or the judgment debtor might abscond within that time.

According to Rule 38, the warrant for the arrest of the judgment debtor will direct the officer authorized for execution to produce him in the Court within a reasonable time. Rule 39, of Order XXI, is an important provision that deals with the subsistence allowance. The decree-holder has to pay a certain sum that is fixed by the Court for the maintenance of the judgment debtor in the civil prison from the time of his arrest until he can be brought before the Court. No judgment debtor can be arrested if the decree-holder has not paid the subsistence allowance. Section 56 of the Code of Civil Procedure provides protection to women and according to this Section, women cannot be arrested in the execution of the decree for money. The scale for the monthly allowance is fixed under Section 57of the Code of Civil Procedure or else the Court can fix an amount that it thinks is sufficient. The payment has to be made in advance to the authorized officer in the beginning and the officer of prison in the later stage. The sums disbursed by the decree-holder for the subsistence of the judgment-debtor in the civil prison shall be deemed to be costs in the suit. Rule 40 provides various proceedings that have to be followed after the appearance of the judgment debtor after providing the notice. Section 58 of the Code of Civil Procedure deals with the rules regarding detention and release. According to this section, the judgment debtor can be detained in a civil  prison:

  • For a period not exceeding three months- When the decree amount is more than a thousand rupees;
  • For a period not exceeding six weeks- When the decree amount is for the payment of a sum of money exceeding five hundred rupees, but not exceeding one thousand rupees.

Section 59 of the Code of Civil procedure provides that the judgment debtor can be released on the grounds of illness. 

Interlocutory application (I.A)

An interlocutory application is an application that is moved in the main petition. it is usually filed when you ask for some urgent relief or to bring certain new facts to the knowledge of the court

“Interlocutory application” means an application to the Court in any suit, appeal, or proceeding already instituted in such Court, other than a proceeding for execution of a decree or order. The orders which are passed in those applications are called interlocutory orders.

‘interlocutory’ as order other than a final decision. Once an auction has been commenced all subsequent applications are referred to as interlocutory applications.

The provision dealing with the incidental proceedings is contained under part III Of the code of civil procedure. But such applications are moved under various provisions of the Code of civil procedure, 1908 which include applications for appointment of Commissioner, Temporary Injunctions, Receivers, payment into court, security for cause, etc.

Sec 141 of CPC provides, that the procedure provided in the Code of Civil Procedure, in regard to the suit shall be followed, as far as it can be made applicable, in all proceedings in any court of civil jurisdiction, therefore the procedure with regard to such applications is the same as that of the original suit, in matters like a recording of evidence, examining witnesses, etc.

Interlocutory orders

Interlocutory orders are passed by the courts to prevent irreparable harm from occurring to a person or property during the pendency of a lawsuit or proceeding.

Rules 6 to 10 of Order 39 mention certain interlocutory orders, which include the court’s power to order the interim sale of movable property, and to order the detention, preservation, or inspection of any property which is the subject matter of such a suit. Similarly, when the land in the suit is liable to Government revenue or is tenure liable to the sale and the party in possession neglects to pay the revenue or rent, the court may order any other party to the suit in case of sale of the land to be put in immediate possession of the property.

In the course of the trial, a trial Judge may pass a number of orders whereby some of the various steps to be taken by the parties in the prosecution of the suit may be of a routine nature while other orders may cause some inconvenience to one party or the other, e.g., an order refusing an adjournment, an order refusing to summon an additional witness or documents, an order refusing to condone the delay in filing documents, after the first date of hearing order of costs to one of the parties for its default or an order exercising discretion in respect of a procedural matter against one party or the other.

“Such orders are purely interlocutory and cannot constitute judgments because it will always be open to the aggrieved party to make a grievance of the order passed against the party concerned in the appeal against the final judgment passed by the Trial Judge.”

What is the difference between interim order and interlocutory order?

While an interlocutory injunction is normally enforceable until the determination of the action, an interim injunction is generally granted for a short, specific period of time, and the plaintiff needs to return to court at the end of the period to ask for the continuance of the injunction. .. Court orders are a declaration made by a judge, commanding something to be done, or prohibiting the certain activity. Interlocutory applications can seek a wide range of orders, such as: 

  • urgent assistance from the court; or 
  • orders about the procedure or timetable of the court proceedings,  including orders about obtaining or disclosing evidence.

What is an interlocutory hearing?

An interlocutory hearing is held if a party does not consent to the orders sought by an interlocutory application. The hearing allows for both sides to present their arguments so that the judge can make a decision. 

Types of Interlocutory Applications 

There is a wide variety of types of interlocutory applications. Common types include:

Injunctive Relief   

Orders that stop the other party from doing something, like terminating a contract or completing a sale purchase. They are usually urgent, requiring the orders by a certain deadline.

Particulars

Orders to compel a party to provide particulars (details) that the other party has requested, seeking clarification of information in legal documents, including a statement of claim or defense.

Discovery

Orders to compel a party to provide certain documents sought by the other party through the discovery process. Therefore, an interlocutory application seeks orders that the documents should be discovered.

subpoenas

Subpoenas are orders to determine whether a party can ask a third party to provide certain documents. As above, the other party may object to documents sought by the other party because they are not relevant to the proceedings.

Interrogatories

Orders to compel the other party to answer certain questions are required to determine a position on a matter in dispute. The questions must be necessary to help provide a fair trial.

Medical Examination

Orders that one party submit to a medical examination. For example, this may be sought where the other party has concerns about the medical condition of that party and how it may impact the matters in dispute.

Interlocutory applications, and hearings, are an important part of court proceedings. Above all, they allow the parties to correct any unjust behavior by the other party and keep the proceedings in line with the court’s timetable. They can add significant time and expense to a court proceeding.