Scope of and classes of suits to which this Order applies
Full Text
(1) This Order sets out the procedure by which Courts may decide a claim pertaining to any Commercial Dispute without recording oral evidence.
(2) For the purposes of this Order, the word “claim” shall include—
(a) part of a claim;
(b) any particular question on which the claim (whether in whole or in part) depends; or
(c) a counterclaim, as the case may be.
(3) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, an application for summary judgment under this Order shall not be made in a suit in respect of any Commercial Dispute that is originally filed as a summary suit under Order XXXVII.
Plain English Summary
Defines the scope of Order XIII-A, enabling Commercial Courts to summarily adjudicate commercial claims, partial claims, or counter-claims without recording oral evidence, while expressly excluding suits instituted under Order XXXVII.
Key Legal Elements
- Adjudication Without Oral Evidence: Eliminates the requirement of a full-fledged witness trial for unmeritorious claims or defenses.
- Broad Definition of 'Claim': Encompasses whole claims, partial heads of relief, isolated pivotal legal questions, or counter-claims.
- Applicable Exclusively to Commercial Disputes: Governed by Section 2(1)(c) of the Commercial Courts Act, 2015.
- Order XXXVII Carve-Out: Cannot be invoked in suits instituted as summary suits under Order XXXVII CPC.
Practical Note
Scope and Purpose of Order XIII-A: 1. Revolutionary Mechanism: Inserted by the Commercial Courts Act, 2015 (modeled on Part 24 of the UK Civil Procedure Rules), Order XIII-A is a potent tool to prevent recalcitrant defendants from dragging commercial claims into multi-year trials when there are no disputed questions of fact requiring witness cross-examination. 2. Inherent Difference from Order XII Rule 6: Under Order XII Rule 6, judgment requires an unequivocal admission. Under Order XIII-A, NO admission is required—judgment is entered because the adversary has 'no real prospect' of succeeding!
हिंदी पाठ
(1) यह आदेश उस प्रक्रिया का उपबंध करता है जिसके द्वारा न्यायालय किसी वाणिज्यिक विवाद (Commercial Dispute) से संबंधित दावे का निर्णय मौखिक साक्ष्य (Oral Evidence) दर्ज किए बिना कर सकेंगे।
(2) इस आदेश के प्रयोजनों के लिए, “दावा” (Claim) शब्द में निम्नलिखित सम्मिलित होंगे—
(क) किसी दावे का कोई भाग;
(ख) कोई विशिष्ट प्रश्न जिस पर दावा (चाहे पूर्णतः या अंशतः) निर्भर करता है; अथवा
(ग) यथास्थिति, कोई प्रतिदावा (Counter-claim)।
(3) किसी प्रतिकूल बात के होते हुए भी, इस आदेश के अधीन सरसरी निर्णय (Summary Judgment) के लिए कोई आवेदन किसी ऐसे वाणिज्यिक विवाद के वाद में नहीं किया जाएगा जो मूलतः आदेश 37 के अधीन सरसरी वाद (Summary Suit) के रूप में संस्थित किया गया है।