Appearance of one of several plaintiffs or defendants for others
Full Text
(1) Where there are more plaintiffs than one, any one or more of them may be authorized by any other of them to appear, plead or act for such other in any proceeding; and in like manner, where there are more defendants than one, any one or more of them may be authorized by any other of them to appear, plead or act for such other in any proceeding.
(2) The authority shall be in writing signed by the party giving it and shall be filed in Court.
Plain English Summary
Enables co-plaintiffs or co-defendants to authorize one of their number to appear, plead, and act on behalf of the others through a signed written authority filed in court.
Key Legal Elements
- Written Authority Mandatory: Authority must be in writing, personally signed by authorizing co-parties, and formally filed in court.
- Tripartite Power: Covers appearing, pleading, and acting in the proceeding.
- Dispenses with Separate Vakalatnamas: Precludes unnecessary expenditure and personal attendance of all co-parties.
Practical Note
Courtroom Drafting & Practice: 1. Standard Document: Often drafted as a 'Special Authority Letter under Order I Rule 12 CPC' or 'Letter of Authorization', accompanied by an affidavit of identification. 2. Scope of Authority: Does not automatically entitle the authorized co-party to compromise or withdraw the suit unless such express power is specifically incorporated in the written authorization. 3. Evidence Admissibility: Authorized co-party can give evidence on facts within his personal knowledge, but cannot substitute for the co-party on matters strictly within personal knowledge of the absent party.
हिंदी पाठ
(1) जहां एक से अधिक वादी हैं, वहां उनमें से किसी एक या अधिक को किसी अन्य द्वारा किसी भी कार्यवाही में उसके लिए उपसंजात होने, अभिवचन करने या कार्य करने के लिए प्राधिकृत किया जा सकेगा; तथा उसी प्रकार जहां एक से अधिक प्रतिवादी हैं, वहां उनमें से किसी एक या अधिक को किसी अन्य द्वारा किसी भी कार्यवाही में उसके लिए उपसंजात होने, अभिवचन करने या कार्य करने के लिए प्राधिकृत किया जा सकेगा।
(2) यह प्राधिकार लिखित रूप में होगा जिस पर प्राधिकार देने वाले पक्षकार के हस्ताक्षर होंगे और वह न्यायालय में दाखिल किया जाएगा।