Consent or agreement by persons under disability
Full Text
In all suits to which any person under disability is a party, any consent or agreement, as to any proceeding shall, if given or made with the express leave of the Court by the next friend or guardian for the suit, have the same force and effect as if such person, were under no disability and had given such consent or made such agreement.
Plain English Summary
Section 147 provides that any consent or agreement entered into on behalf of a person under legal disability (such as a minor or person of unsound mind) by their next friend or court guardian with the express leave of the court possesses full binding legal force as if executed by a competent adult.
Key Legal Elements
- Protection of Disabled Persons: Pertains to minors, persons of unsound mind, and legally incapacitated parties.
- Representation via Next Friend / Guardian: Consent must be tendered through the court-appointed next friend or guardian ad litem.
- Mandatory Express Leave of Court: Strict prerequisite requiring prior express judicial sanction before the consent/agreement binds the disabled party.
- Equivalence to Full Capacity: Once sanctioned by court leave, the agreement carries identical legal validity as an act of a fully competent adult.
Practical Note
Judicial Scrutiny of Compromises Involving Minors (Order XXXII Rule 7 Interplay): 1. Parens Patriae Protection: Civil courts act as parens patriae for infants and incapacitated litigants. Under Section 147 read with Order XXXII Rule 7, a next friend or guardian ad litem cannot compromise a suit, admit facts, or abandon claims without obtaining the express, recorded leave of the court. 2. Certification of Benefit: The guardian and advocate must formally certify that the proposed agreement or compromise is for the direct benefit and welfare of the minor. Any compromise reached without express judicial leave is voidable at the option of the minor upon attaining majority.
हिंदी पाठ
उन सभी वादों में जिनमें निर्योग्यता के अधीन कोई व्यक्ति (यथा अवयस्क या विकृतचित्त व्यक्ति) पक्षकार है, किसी कार्यवाही के संबंध में वाद-मित्र (Next friend) या वादार्थ संरक्षक (Guardian for the suit) द्वारा न्यायालय की स्पष्ट इजाजत से दी गई कोई सम्मति या किया गया कोई करार वैसा ही बल और प्रभाव रखेगा मानो ऐसा व्यक्ति किसी निर्योग्यता के अधीन न रहा हो और उसने ऐसी सम्मति दी हो या ऐसा करार किया हो।