Statement and production of evidence
Full Text
(1) On the day fixed for the hearing of the suit or on any other day to which the hearing is adjourned, the party having the right to begin shall state his case and produce his evidence in support of the issues which he is bound to prove.
(2) The other party shall then state his case and produce his evidence (if any) and may then address the Court generally on the whole case.
(3) The party beginning may then reply generally on the whole case.
(3A) Any party may address oral arguments in a case, and shall, before he concludes the oral arguments, if any, submit if the Court so permits concisely and under distinct headings written arguments in support of his case to the Court and such written arguments shall form part of the record.
(3B) A copy of such written arguments shall be simultaneously furnished to the opposite party.
(3C) No adjournment shall be granted for the purpose of filing the written arguments unless the Court, for reasons to be recorded in writing, considers it necessary to grant such adjournment.
(3D) The Court shall fix such time-limits for the oral arguments by either of the parties in a case, as it thinks fit.
[Commercial Courts Amendment]
(3A) A party shall, within four weeks prior to commencing the oral arguments, submit concisely and under distinct headings written arguments in support of his case to the Court and such written arguments shall form part of the record.
(3B) The written arguments shall clearly indicate the provisions of the laws being cited in support of the arguments and the citations of judgments being relied upon by the party and include copies of such judgments being relied upon by the party.
(3C) A copy of such written arguments shall be furnished simultaneously to the opposite party.
(3D) The Court may, if it deems fit, after the conclusion of arguments, permit the parties to file revised written arguments within a period of not more than one week after the date of conclusion of arguments.
(3E) No adjournment shall be granted for the purpose of filing the written arguments unless the Court, for reasons to be recorded in writing, considers it necessary to grant such adjournment.
(3F) It shall be open for the Court to limit the time for oral submissions having regard to the nature and complexity of the matter.
Plain English Summary
Prescribes the sequence of adducing evidence and oral arguments, authorizing concise written submissions under distinct headings, barring adjournments for written briefs, and incorporating Commercial Courts Act amendments requiring legal citations and argument timers.
Key Legal Elements
- Sequential Evidence Presentation: Opening party states case and leads evidence -> Other party states defence and leads evidence -> Rebuttal reply.
- Statutory Basis for Written Arguments (Sub-rule 3A): Filed under distinct headings before concluding oral submissions.
- Simultaneous Service on Adversary (Sub-rule 3B): Prevents ambush submissions.
- Prohibition of Adjournments (Sub-rule 3C): Bar against adjourning cases merely to file written arguments.
- Time Limits on Oral Arguments (Sub-rule 3D): Statutory power to enforce argument clocks.
- Commercial Courts Regime: Mandatory filing 4 weeks before oral arguments, copies of judgments annexed, and maximum 1-week window for revised briefs.
Practical Note
Drafting Written Arguments under Order XVIII Rule 2(3A): 1. Structuring Written Submissions: Sub-rule (3A) requires submissions to be 'concise and under distinct headings'. Structure written arguments strictly issue-wise: - 'Issue No. 1: [Issue Text] - Plaintiff's Submissions, Depositions of PW-1 & PW-2, Exhibits [X] to [Y], Case Laws'. 2. Commercial Court Practice: In Commercial Courts, failure to file written arguments 4 weeks prior with judgment photocopies violates Sub-rules (3A) and (3B) and may lead to forfeiture of argument time.
हिंदी पाठ
(1) वाद की सुनवाई के लिए नियत दिन पर अथवा किसी अन्य दिन जिस पर सुनवाई स्थगित की गई है, प्रारंभ करने का अधिकार रखने वाला पक्षकार अपने मामले का कथन करेगा और उन विवाद्यकों के समर्थन में अपना साक्ष्य पेश करेगा जिन्हें साबित करने के लिए वह बाध्य है।
(2) तब दूसरा पक्षकार अपने मामले का कथन करेगा और अपना साक्ष्य (यदि कोई हो) पेश करेगा तथा संपूर्ण मामले पर साधारणतया न्यायालय को संबोधित कर सकेगा।
(3) प्रारंभ करने वाला पक्षकार तब संपूर्ण मामले पर साधारणतया उत्तर (Reply) दे सकेगा।
(3क) कोई भी पक्षकार मौखिक बहस कर सकेगा और मौखिक बहस समाप्त करने से पूर्व, यदि न्यायालय अनुमति दे, तो अपने मामले के समर्थन में स्पष्ट शीर्षकों के अधीन संक्षेप में लिखित बहस (Written Arguments) न्यायालय को प्रस्तुत करेगा जो अभिलेख का भाग होगी।
(3ख) ऐसी लिखित बहस की एक प्रति विरोधी पक्षकार को साथ ही साथ दी जाएगी।
(3ग) लिखित बहस दाखिल करने के प्रयोजन के लिए कोई स्थगन नहीं दिया जाएगा, जब तक कि न्यायालय कारणों से ऐसा आवश्यक न समझे।
(3घ) न्यायालय मौखिक बहस के लिए ऐसी समय-सीमा नियत करेगा जैसा वह ठीक समझे।
[वाणिज्यिक न्यायालय संशोधन]
(3क) मौखिक बहस शुरू होने से चार सप्ताह पूर्व लिखित बहस संक्षेप में व अलग-अलग शीर्षकों में प्रस्तुत की जाएगी;
(3ख) लिखित बहस में सुसंगत कानूनी धाराएं, निर्णयों के उद्धरण (Citations) व उनकी प्रतियां संलग्न होंगी;
(3ग) विरोधी पक्षकार को प्रति तुरंत दी जाएगी;
(3घ) बहस समाप्ति के एक सप्ताह के भीतर संशोधित लिखित बहस दाखिल करने की अनुमति मिल सकेगी;
(3ङ) लिखित बहस हेतु स्थगन वर्जित रहेगा;
(3च) अदालत मौखिक बहस के लिए समय-सीमा निर्धारित कर सकेगी।