Recognised agents
Full Text
The recognised agents of parties by whom such appearances, applications and acts may be made or done are—
(a) persons holding powers-of-attorney, authorising them to make and do such appearances, applications and acts on behalf of such parties;
(b) persons carrying on trade or business for and in the names of parties not resident within the local limits of the jurisdiction of the Court within which limits the appearance, application or act is made or done, in matters connected with such trade or business only, where no other agent is expressly authorised to make and do such appearances, applications and acts.
Plain English Summary
Defines recognized agents competent to act for litigants in civil proceedings, encompassing general or special power-of-attorney holders and non-resident business managers.
Key Legal Elements
- Power-of-Attorney Holders (Clause a): Validly executed General or Special Power of Attorney authorizing specific civil court proceedings.
- Commercial Agents of Non-Residents (Clause b): Business managers conducting trade for principals residing outside territorial jurisdiction.
- Strict Construction: Power of Attorney documents are construed strictly; absence of express power to institute/defend suits invalidates proceedings.
- Evidentiary Limitation: A power-of-attorney holder cannot depose for the principal on facts within the personal knowledge of the principal.
Practical Note
The Supreme Court Doctrine on Power-of-Attorney Holders in Civil Litigation: 1. Landmark Precedent on Evidence - Janki Vashdeo Bhojwani v. IndusInd Bank Ltd. (2005) 2 SCC 217: The Supreme Court authoritatively settled that an attorney holder under Order III Rules 1 & 2 can 'act' in court, but CANNOT depose in the witness box in place of the principal in respect of matters of which only the principal can have personal knowledge. 2. Later Clarification - Man Kaur v. Hartar Singh Sangha (2010) 10 SCC 512: Synthesizes the legal principles on when an attorney can give evidence: An attorney who manages affairs or has personal knowledge of transactions can testify on those specific facts, but cannot give evidence on state of mind (e.g., readiness and willingness in specific performance) exclusively known to the principal. 3. Defective Power of Attorney Trap: In the Written Statement, examine the POA filed by the plaintiff. If the POA lacks a specific clause authorizing filing of civil suits or verification of plaints, or is not properly notarized/stamped per state Stamp Act, raise a preliminary objection that the suit is instituted by an unauthorized person.
हिंदी पाठ
पक्षकारों के वे मान्यताप्राप्त अभिकर्ता, जिनके द्वारा ऐसी उपसंजातियां, आवेदन और कार्य किए जा सकेंगे, निम्नलिखित हैं—
(क) ऐसे पक्षकारों की ओर से ऐसी उपसंजातियां, आवेदन और कार्य करने के लिए उन्हें प्राधिकृत करने वाले मुख्तारनामे (Powers-of-attorney) धारण करने वाले व्यक्ति;
(ख) न्यायालय की अधिकारिता की स्थानीय सीमाओं के भीतर अनिवासी पक्षकारों के लिए और उनके नाम में व्यापार या कारबार चलाने वाले ऐसे व्यक्ति, जिन सीमाओं के भीतर उपसंजाति, आवेदन या कार्य केवल ऐसे व्यापार या कारबार से संबंधित विषयों में ही किया जाता है, जहां कोई अन्य अभिकर्ता ऐसी उपसंजातियां, आवेदन और कार्य करने के लिए अभिव्यक्त रूप से प्राधिकृत नहीं है।