Application of rule 14 of Order XLI
Full Text
Reference in sub-rule (4) of rule 14 of Order XLI to the Court of first instance shall, in the case of an appeal from an appellate decree or order, be construed as a reference to the Court to which the appeal was preferred from the original decree or order.
Plain English Summary
Clarifies that in second appeals, the notice exemption under Order XLI Rule 14(4) applies with reference to the First Appellate Court, dispensing with notice to respondents who remained ex parte before that court.
Key Legal Elements
- Inserted by 1976 Amendment: Provides procedural harmonization for service of notice in second appeals.
- Substitution of Reference: 'Court of first instance' in Order 41 Rule 14(4) means the lower appellate court (first appellate court) in second appeals.
- Exemption from Service: Incidental notices in second appeal need not be served on any respondent who remained ex parte and never filed an address for service in the first appellate court.
- Prevents Delay: Obviates prolonged delays caused by trying to locate proforma or non-contesting co-respondents.
Practical Note
Dispensing with Notice to Proforma Respondents in Second Appeals: 1. Strategic Avoidance of Service Delays: In high-stakes second appeals involving multiple respondents (e.g. partition suits or revenue appeals with numerous formal co-defendants), service of notice can delay proceedings by years. Counsel can rely on Order 42 Rule 3 read with Order 41 Rule 14(4) to demonstrate that respondents who suffered ex parte decrees before the lower appellate court without filing an appearance need not be served with notices of incidental proceedings in the High Court. 2. Safeguard for Contesting Respondents: A respondent who did contest or who was impleaded for the first time must always be duly served with notice.
हिंदी पाठ
आदेश 41 के नियम 14 के उप-नियम (4) में प्रथम बार के न्यायालय के प्रति निर्देश का, अपीलीय डिक्री या आदेश से अपील की दशा में, यह अर्थ लगाया जाएगा कि वह उस न्यायालय के प्रति निर्देश है जिसे मूल डिक्री या आदेश से अपील की गई थी।