Direction of the court to opt for any one mode of alternative dispute resolution
Full Text
After recording the admissions and denials, the court shall direct the parties to the suit to opt either mode of the settlement outside the court as specified in sub-section (1) of section 89. On the option of the parties, the court shall fix the date of appearance before such forum or authority as may be opted by the parties.
Plain English Summary
Requires the court, immediately following admissions and denials, to direct parties to opt for one of the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms under Section 89 CPC and fix a date before the chosen forum.
Key Legal Elements
- Mandatory ADR Reference Stage: Inserted by CPC Amendment Act, 1999 (w.e.f. 1-7-2002) to operationalize Section 89.
- Four ADR Modes under Sec. 89(1): Arbitration, Conciliation, Judicial Settlement (including Lok Adalat), or Mediation.
- Judicial Duty: Court must explore settlement potential before subjecting parties to protracted trial.
- Appearance Date Fixed: Court designates a specific date and mediator/forum in the reference order.
Practical Note
The Master Precedent on Section 89 and Order X Rule 1A: 1. Supreme Court Landmark - Afcons Infrastructure Ltd. v. Cherian Varkey Construction Co. (P) Ltd. (2010) 8 SCC 24: - Supreme Court harmonized Section 89 and Order X Rules 1A–1C. - Court categorized cases suitable for ADR (commercial/contractual disputes, matrimonial/family partition, partnership dissolution, tortious damages) versus cases NOT suitable for ADR (representative suits, election petitions, fraud/forgery, constitutional claims). - For Arbitration or Conciliation, consent of all parties is mandatory. However, for Mediation or Lok Adalat, the court can refer parties even if one party is hesitant, to test if compromise is possible. 2. Order Format: 'Parties are referred to Mediation Centre attached to this Court under Section 89 read with Order X Rule 1A CPC. Parties to appear before the In-Charge Mediator on [Date] at 2:00 PM'.
हिंदी पाठ
स्वीकृतियों और इनकारों को लेखबद्ध करने के पश्चात, न्यायालय वाद के पक्षकारों को यह निदेश देगा कि वे धारा 89 की उपधारा (1) में विनिर्दिष्ट न्यायालय के बाहर समझौते के तरीकों में से किसी एक तरीके का विकल्प चुनें। पक्षकारों के विकल्प पर, न्यायालय ऐसे फोरम या प्राधिकारी के समक्ष, जिसे पक्षकारों द्वारा चुना जाए, उपसंजात होने की तारीख नियत करेगा।