Summons to defendants
Full Text
Where a suit has been duly instituted, a summons may be issued to the defendant to appear and answer the claim and may be served in manner prescribed on such day not beyond thirty days from date of the institution of the suit.
Plain English Summary
Section 27 mandates that upon the due institution of a civil suit, summons must be issued requiring the defendant to appear and answer the claim, prescribing that such summons be served in the manner prescribed within a statutory timeline not exceeding thirty days from the date of institution.
Key Legal Elements
- Condition Precedent: Suit must be 'duly instituted' (compliant with Order IV, VI, and VII).
- Purpose of Summons: Directs the defendant to appear and answer the claim.
- 30-Day Statutory Window: Summons to be served within thirty days from the date of institution of the suit.
- Triggers Written Statement Deadline: Commences the limitation period under Order VIII Rule 1.
Practical Note
Critical procedural milestone triggering natural justice and defense deadlines: (1) 30-Day Summons Window: Added by the 1999/2002 amendments to curb trial delay. The plaintiff must promptly deposit process fees and duplicate plaints within 7 days under Order V Rule 9 / Order VII Rule 9. (2) Countdown for Written Statement (Order VIII Rule 1): Service of summons under Section 27 triggers the strict clock for the defendant to file their Written Statement within 30 days (extendable to 90 days in ordinary suits; strictly non-extendable beyond 120 days in commercial suits under the Commercial Courts Act, 2015 as per SCG Contracts India). (3) Service Modes: Executed via court process server, registered post AD, speed post, courier, or authorized electronic modes (email/messaging).
हिंदी पाठ
जहां कोई वाद सम्यक् रूप से संस्थित किया गया है, वहां प्रतिवादी को उपसंजात (उपस्थित) होने और दावे का उत्तर देने के लिए समन निकाला जा सकेगा और विहित रीति से वाद के संस्थित किए जाने की तारीख से तीस दिन से अनधिक ऐसे दिन तामील किया जा सकेगा।