Service of process on pleader
Full Text
Any process served on the pleader who has been duly appointed to act in Court for any party or left at the office or ordinary residence of such pleader, and whether the same is for the personal appearance of the party or not, shall be presumed to be duly communicated and made known to the party whom the pleader represents, and, unless the Court otherwise directs, shall be as effectual for all purposes as if the same had been given to or served on the party in person.
Plain English Summary
Establishes a mandatory legal presumption that any court process served on a party's appointed pleader or delivered at their office/residence is deemed effectively communicated and personally served on the client.
Key Legal Elements
- Statutory Presumption of Due Communication: Service on advocate or delivery at his office/residence legally binds the client.
- Covers Personal Appearance Notices: Operates even where the notice is for personal appearance, unless court directs direct service.
- Evidentiary Effect: Precludes the client from claiming lack of notice in ex parte or dismissal settings unless fraud or non-representation is established.
Practical Note
Courtroom Tactics & Avoiding Ex Parte Traps: 1. Critical Risk for Advocates: Once an advocate files a Vakalatnama, all notices, amended plaints, interlocutory applications, and court orders served on the advocate or left at their chamber are deemed served on the client. Never refuse or ignore notices served in court. 2. Setting Aside Ex Parte Decrees: Litigants frequently argue under Order IX Rule 13 that they were unaware of court dates because their counsel did not inform them. Courts routinely reject this plea under Order III Rule 5, ruling that service on the pleader is service on the party (unless gross fraud by counsel is shown). 3. Change of Address: Advocates must promptly notify the court registry of any change of chamber address or email to avoid adverse proceedings.
हिंदी पाठ
किसी पक्षकार के लिए न्यायालय में कार्य करने के लिए सम्यक् रूप से नियुक्त प्लीडर पर तामील की गई अथवा ऐसे प्लीडर के कार्यालय या मामूली निवास-स्थान पर छोड़ी गई कोई भी आदेशिका, चाहे वह पक्षकार की व्यक्तिगत उपसंजाति के लिए हो या नहीं, उस पक्षकार को, जिसका प्लीडर प्रतिनिधित्व करता है, सम्यक् रूप से संसूचित और ज्ञात करा दी गई उपधारित की जाएगी और, जब तक कि न्यायालय अन्यथा निर्देश न दे, सभी प्रयोजनों के लिए उतनी ही प्रभावी होगी मानो वह पक्षकार को स्वयं दी गई हो या उस पर व्यक्तिगत रूप से तामील की गई हो।