Procedure when party fails to present written statement called for by Court
Full Text
Where any party from whom a written statement is required under rule 1 or rule 9 fails to present the same within the time permitted or fixed by the Court, as the case may be, the Court shall pronounce judgment against him, or make such order in relation to the suit as it thinks fit and on the pronouncement of such judgment a decree shall be drawn up:
*[Commercial Courts Act Proviso] Provided further that no Court shall make an order to extend the time provided under Rule 1 of this Order for filing of the written statement.
Plain English Summary
Authorizes the court to pronounce judgment against a defaulting party who fails to file a written statement within the prescribed time under Rule 1 or Rule 9, or make any appropriate order to proceed with the suit.
Key Legal Elements
- Default Sanction: Triggered upon failure to file WS under Rule 1 (summons) or Rule 9 (subsequent pleadings).
- Two Discretionary Paths: (1) Pronounce judgment against the defaulting party, OR (2) Make such other order as it thinks fit (e.g., proceed ex parte or require plaintiff to lead evidence).
- Judicial Prudence: Judgment should not be passed mechanically if plaint fails to disclose a cause of action (Balraj Taneja).
- Decree Drawn Up: Mandatory formal decree drawn up following judgment, appealable under Section 96 CPC.
- Commercial Bar: Proviso strictly bars courts from extending time in commercial suits beyond the 120-day ceiling.
Practical Note
The Ultimate Guide to Order VIII Rule 10 Judgments: 1. Supreme Court Landmark - C.N. Ramappa Gowda v. C. Chandregowda (2012) 5 SCC 265 & Balraj Taneja v. Sunil Madan (1999) 8 SCC 396: Supreme Court settled that the court should not pass a decree under Rule 10 blindly simply because no written statement was filed. If the plaint averments are complicated or require proof, the court ought to adopt the second alternative ('make such order as it thinks fit') and direct the plaintiff to lead evidence. 2. Commercial Courts Inflexibility: In Commercial Courts, once 120 days expire, the court cannot extend time. The defendant's right is closed, and court proceeds to judgment under Rule 10. 3. Remedy against Rule 10 Judgment: Since a formal decree is drawn up, the remedy is a Regular First Appeal under Section 96 CPC or an application under Order IX Rule 13 (if ex parte).
हिंदी पाठ
जहां कोई पक्षकार, जिससे नियम 1 या नियम 9 के अधीन लिखित कथन अपेक्षित है, यथास्थिति, न्यायालय द्वारा अनुज्ञात या नियत समय के भीतर उसे प्रस्तुत करने में असफल रहता है, वहां न्यायालय उसके विरुद्ध निर्णय सुनाएगा (Pronounce judgment against him), अथवा वाद के संबंध में ऐसा आदेश करेगा जो वह ठीक समझे और ऐसा निर्णय सुनाए जाने पर डिक्री तैयार की जाएगी:
*[वाणिज्यिक न्यायालय अधिनियम परंतुक] परन्तु यह और कि कोई भी न्यायालय इस आदेश के नियम 1 के अधीन लिखित कथन दाखिल करने के लिए उपबंधित समय को बढ़ाने का कोई आदेश नहीं करेगा।