Power of Court to order separate trials
Full Text
Where it appears to the Court that the joinder of causes of action in one suit may embarrass or delay the trial or is otherwise inconvenient, the Court may order separate trials or make such other order as may be expedient in the interests of justice.
Plain English Summary
Empowers the trial court to order separate trials or bifurcate proceedings where uniting multiple causes of action, though legally permissible, embarrasses, delays, or causes trial inconvenience.
Key Legal Elements
- Judicial Management Power: Substituted by 1976 Amendment to broaden judicial control over unwieldy omnibus suits.
- Tripartite Grounds: (1) Embarrassment of trial; (2) Delay in disposal; or (3) General trial inconvenience.
- Flexible Remedy: Court can order separate trials, direct plaintiff to elect, or structure sequential hearings.
Practical Note
Courtroom Tactics: 1. Application Header: 'Application on behalf of Defendant under Order II Rule 6 read with Section 151 CPC for Bifurcation / Separate Trials of Causes of Action'. 2. Best Grounds: In complex commercial litigation where a plaintiff joins a claim for breach of contract, defamation, and recovery of loan against the same company, urge that evidence required for each is entirely divergent and will derail the trial. 3. Procedural Timing: Raise at the preliminary hearing or before examination of witnesses commences.
हिंदी पाठ
जहां न्यायालय को यह प्रतीत होता है कि एक ही वाद में वाद-हेतुकों के संयोजन से विचारण में उलझन पड़ सकती है या विलंब हो सकता है अथवा वह अन्यथा असुविधाजनक है, वहां न्यायालय पृथक विचारणों का आदेश दे सकेगा अथवा न्याय के हित में ऐसा अन्य आदेश कर सकेगा जो समीचीन हो।