Minor to sue by next friend
Full Text
Every suit by a minor shall be instituted in his name by a person who in such suit shall be called the next friend of the minor.
Explanation.—In this Order, "minor" means a person who has not attained his majority within the meaning of section 3 of the Indian Majority Act, 1875 where the suit relates to any of the matters mentioned in clauses (a) and (b) of section 2 of that Act or to any other matter.
Plain English Summary
Mandates that every civil suit by a minor must be instituted in the minor's own name through an adult 'next friend' who represents the child's interests and acts as an officer of the court.
Key Legal Elements
- Plaint Title Requirement: Must be framed as 'A.B. (Minor) through next friend C.D.'.
- Locus of Next Friend: Next friend is not a party to the suit; the minor is the actual plaintiff.
- Definition of Minority (Explanation): Governed by Section 3 of the Indian Majority Act, 1875 (below 18 years, or below 21 years if a court guardian is appointed under Guardians and Wards Act, 1890).
- Fiduciary Duty: Next friend owes an absolute duty of care and good faith toward the minor.
Practical Note
Drafting the Minor's Cause Title: 1. Proper Form of Title: Always draft the cause title as: 'A.B., aged [X] years, Minor, represented by his natural guardian and father/mother C.D., as Next Friend'. Never sue in the name of the parent alone claiming relief for the child. 2. Minor is the Substantive Party: In Nagaiah v. Chowdamma (2018) 2 SCC 504, the Supreme Court clarified that the minor is the real party; the next friend only supplies the procedural capacity to sue. Any limitation or substantive rights belong exclusively to the minor.
हिंदी पाठ
अप्राप्तवय (नाबालिग/अवयस्क) द्वारा प्रत्येक वाद उसके नाम से ऐसे व्यक्ति द्वारा संस्थित किया जाएगा जो ऐसे वाद में अवयस्क का वाद-मित्र (Next friend) कहलाएगा।
स्पष्टीकरण—इस आदेश में, "अप्राप्तवय" (अवयस्क/माइनर) से ऐसा व्यक्ति अभिप्रेत है जिसने भारतीय वयस्कता अधिनियम, 1875 की धारा 3 के अर्थ में अपनी वयस्कता प्राप्त नहीं की है, जहां वाद उस अधिनियम की धारा 2 के खंड (क) और (ख) में उल्लिखित विषयों में से किसी से अथवा किसी अन्य विषय से संबंधित है।