Procedure
Full Text
(1) An application for summary judgment to a Court shall, in addition to any other matters the applicant may deem relevant, include the matters set forth in sub-clauses (a) to (f) mentioned hereunder:—
(a) the application must contain a statement that it is an application for summary judgment made under this Order;
(b) the application must precisely disclose all material facts and identify the point of law, if any;
(c) in the event the applicant seeks to rely upon any documentary evidence, the applicant must,––
(i) include such documentary evidence in its application, and
(ii) identify the relevant content of such documentary evidence on which the applicant relies;
(d) the application must state the reason why there are no real prospects of succeeding on the claim or defending the claim, as the case may be;
(e) the application must state what relief the applicant is seeking and briefly state the grounds for seeking such relief.
(2) Where a hearing for summary judgment is fixed, the respondent must be given at least thirty days’ notice of:—
(a) the date fixed for the hearing; and
(b) the claim that is proposed to be decided by the Court at such hearing.
(3) The respondent may, within thirty days of the receipt of notice of application of summary judgment or notice of hearing (whichever is earlier), file a reply addressing the matters set forth in clauses (a) to (f) mentioned hereunder in addition to any other matters that the respondent may deem relevant:—
(a) the reply must precisely––(i) disclose all material facts; (ii) identify the point of law, if any; and (iii) state the reasons why the relief sought by the applicant should not be granted;
(b) in the event the respondent seeks to rely upon any documentary evidence in its reply, the respondent must—(i) include such documentary evidence in its reply; and (ii) identify the relevant content of such documentary evidence on which the respondent relies;
(c) the reply must state the reason why there are real prospects of succeeding on the claim or defending the claim, as the case may be;
(d) the reply must concisely state the issues that should be framed for trial;
(e) the reply must identify what further evidence shall be brought on record at trial that could not be brought on record at the stage of summary judgment; and
(f) the reply must state why, in light of the evidence or material on record if any, the Court should not proceed to summary judgment.
Plain English Summary
Sets out the mandatory procedural architecture for summary judgment: specifies 5 application elements under sub-rule (1), mandates a 30-day notice to the respondent under sub-rule (2), and requires a structured 6-point reply under sub-rule (3).
Key Legal Elements
- Five Pleading Requirements for Applicant (Sub-rule 1): Express invocation of Order XIII-A, precise material facts, legal points, documentary evidence references, and demonstration of 'no real prospect'.
- Mandatory 30-Day Advance Notice (Sub-rule 2): Absolute jurisdictional condition precedent; non-compliance vitiates the summary order (Bright Enterprises).
- Six Pleading Requirements for Respondent (Sub-rule 3): Must articulate triable issues, identify evidence to be adduced at trial, and justify why summary judgment should not be entered.
Practical Note
Drafting Compliance for Summary Judgment Motions: 1. Strict Adherence to Sub-rule (1): Ensure the application explicitly contains the heading: 'Application under Order XIII-A Rule 4 CPC'. Quote verbatim the relevant clauses of the agreement and explain why the defense is illusory. 2. The 30-Day Notice Mandate: If the judge attempts to hear the application on the next week's board, caution the court that under Rule 4(2), the respondent has a statutory entitlement of at least 30 days notice. Violating this timeline makes the decree vulnerable in appeal under Section 13 Commercial Courts Act.
हिंदी पाठ
(1) न्यायालय को सरसरी निर्णय के आवेदन में निम्नलिखित अनिवार्य बिंदु सम्मिलित होंगे:—
(क) यह कथन कि यह इस आदेश के अधीन सरसरी निर्णय का आवेदन है;
(ख) सभी तात्विक तथ्यों और विधि के प्रश्न का सटीक प्रकटीकरण;
(ग) निर्भर किए गए दस्तावेजी साक्ष्य और उनकी प्रासंगिक विषयवस्तु की पहचान;
(घ) यह ठोस कारण कि विरोधी पक्षकार के पास सफल होने की कोई वास्तविक संभावना क्यों नहीं है;
(ङ) चाहा गया अनुतोष और उसके आधार।
(2) प्रतिवादी को सुनवाई की तारीख और तय किए जाने वाले दावे का कम से कम तीस दिन (30 Days' Notice) का अग्रिम नोटिस दिया जाएगा।
(3) प्रतिवादी नोटिस प्राप्ति के तीस दिन (30 Days) के भीतर 6-बिंदु जवाब दाखिल करेगा, जिसमें यह स्पष्ट करेगा कि: (क) तात्विक तथ्य व विधि; (ख) दस्तावेजी साक्ष्य; (ग) सफलता की वास्तविक संभावना क्यों है; (घ) विचारण हेतु कौन से विवाद्यक तय किए जाने चाहिए; (ङ) विचारण के दौरान ऐसा कौन सा साक्ष्य लाया जाएगा जो इस प्रक्रम पर नहीं लाया जा सका; तथा (च) न्यायालय को सरसरी निर्णय क्यों नहीं करना चाहिए।