Assam act 012 of 1887 : The Bengal, Agra and Assam Civil Court Act, 1887

Date: 11 Mar 1887

Department

Judicial Department

Ministry

Ministry of Agriculture

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2 1 .

com * ENTS

THE BENGAL,

r i

AfSRA AND ASSAM COURTp ACT, 1 8 8 7 ( A c t X I I o f 1 8 8 7 ) S e c t i o nS e c t i o n

CHAPTER I

P r e l i m i n a r y 181 e x t e n t a n d c o n m -

1 9 .

2 0 .

4 .

T i t l e , e n c e m e n t . R e p e a l o f A c ts 6 o f 1871 a n d 19 o f 1 8 8 7 .

CHAPTER I I

C o n s t i t u t i o n o f C i v i l C o u r t s

U lA J a w X J,; ' ■

O r d i n a r y J u r i s d i c t i o n . E x t e n t o f o r i g i n a l j u r i s d i t i o n o f D i s t r i c t o r S u b o r- d i n a t e J u d g e . ^ ^ ^ ® H H | E x t e n t o f j u r i s d i c t i o n o f M u n s i f . f

A p p e a l f ro m D i s t r i c t . a n A d d i t i o n a l J u d g e d

A p p e a ls f ro m S u b o r d i n a t e J u d g e s a n d F 4 u n s ifs .

CHAPTER IV

S p e c i a l J u r i s d i c t i o n P o w e r t o t r a n s f e r t o Suboy d i n a t e J u d g e s a p p e a l s M u n s i f f s .

E x e r c i s e d by S u b o r d i n a t e J u d g e o r M u n s if o f j u i d i c t i o n o f D i s t r i c t CotL i i n c e r t a i n p r o c e e d i n g s . A D i s p o s a l o f p r o c e e d i n g s r e f e r r e d t o i n l a s t f o r e ^ i n g s e c t i o n .

2 5 . P o w e r t o i n v e s t S u b o x d ln r J u d g e s a n d M u n s if w i th Snr

11 C a u s e s C o u r t j u r i s d i e t } 2fiB€5btxxyqtxR^i^:f

CHAPTER V

2 6 - 2 9 . ^ " R e p e a l e d - / ⁷'. .•'« R e p e a l e d - / ⁷

C l a s s e s o f C o u r t s . N um ber o f D i s t r i c t J u d g e s , S u b o r d i n a t e J u d g e s a n d M u n s i f s . R ep ea l e d J .

V a c a n c i e s am ong D i s t r i c t o r S u b o r d i n a t e J u d g e s . A d d i t i o n a l J u d g e s . A d m i n i s t r a t i v e C o n t r o l C o u r t s . -

c h a r g e o f

C o u r t s .

T r a n s f e r o f p r o c e e d i n g s o n v a c a t i o n o f o f f i c e o f S u b o r d i n a t e J u d g e s . R e p e a le d ^ / ⁷

f i x l o c a l f J u r i s d i c - C o u r t s .

: s i t t i n g o f C o u r t s

/ >

/1 - 2

37. C^e^r^taⁱⁿ^d^e^cⁱ^sⁱ^oⁿ^s^tobe a c c o rd in g to n a t i v e law .

38. Ju d g e s n o t to t r y s u i t s i n th e y a r e i n t e r e s t e d .

3 9

w hich \

S u b o r d in a t io n o f C o u r ts to D i s t r i c t C o u r t .

A p p l ic a t io n o f A ct to P ro - v i n c i a l C o u r ts o f S m all C a u se s .

1 ¹¹^th^March, 1887J

th e

A c t t o c o n s o l id a t e and amend th e law r e l a t i n g to C i v i l C o u r ts i n B e n g a l, th e N o r th -w e s te rn P ro v in c e s and Assam.

W hereas i t i s e x p e d ie n t

i nr e l a t i n g to C i v i l C o u r ts

and Assam ;

to c o n s o l id a t e and amend th e law

B e n g a l, th e N o r th -W c s te m P ro v in c e s

I t i s h e re b y en ac te d . a s f o l lo w s :

CHAPTER I

P r e l im in a r y com m encem ent.-1 . T i t l e , e x t e n t and c a l l e d th e B e n g a l, A gra and Assam C i v i l (1 ) T h is A ct may be

C o u r ts A c t, 1397. —

(2 ) I t e x te n d s t o t h e t e r r i t o r i e s (w h ich w ere on th e 11 t h M arch 1387) r e s p e c t i v e l y a d m in is te r e d by th e L ie u te n a n t - g o v e rn o r o f th e N o rth -W e s te rn P ro v in c e s and th e 'T h ief Commissio- n e r o f Assam e x c e p t su c h p r o t i o n s o f th o s e t e r r i t o r i e s a s f o r th e tim e b e in g a r e n o t s u b j e c t t o th e o r d in a r y c i v i l j u r i s d i c - t i o n o f th e H igh C o u r t . ^1I

v (3 ) I t s h a l l come i n t o f o r c e on th e f i r s t day o f J u l y , 1887.

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2. R e p ea l o f a le d by th e Am ending A c t, A c ts 6 o f 1871 and 19 o f 1887. - (1 ) ^/Repe- 1391 (12 o f 1891)_ 7 .

" M i / (2 ) A ll c o u r t s c o n s t i t u t e d , a p p o in tm e n ts , n o m in a ti ,a t i o n and o r d e r s m ade, j u r i s d i c t i o n s and p ow ers c o n f e r r e d , a' l i s t s p u b l is h e d u n d e r th e B engal C i v i l C o u r ts A c t ,1371, e n a c tm e n t th e re b y r e p e a l e d , o r p u r p o r t i n g e x p r e s s ly o r inj to hav e b een so c o n s t i t u t e d , m ade, c o n f e r r e d and p u b l i s h e i g b e deem ed to h a v e b een r e s p e c t i v e ly c o n s t i t u t e d , m ade, con.0 and p u b l is h e d u n d e r t h i s A c t; and s ,.

^³

) e n a c tm e n t o r docum ent r e f e r r i n g to th e B engal C if jJ 'd f < C o u r ts A c t, 1871, o r t o any e n a c tm e n t th e r e b y r e p e a le d * s h a l l _^s

na2* ' b e c o n s t r u e d t o r e f e r to t h i s -Act o r t o t h e c o rre s p o n d in g r<2iy p o r t i o n t h e r e o f

NOTES

T h is A ct h a s b een e x te n d e d to Assam by Assam Act 1947. /

■a?

CHAPTER I I

C o n s t i t u t i o n o f C i v i l C o u r ts o f

3. C la s s e s o f C o u r ts . T h e re s h a l l be t h e f o l lo w in g c l a s s e s C iv i l C o u r ts u n d e r t h i s A c t, nam ely :

D i s t r i c t Ju d g e ;

A d d i t io n a l Ju d g e ;

A s s i s t a n t D i s t r i c t J u d g e ; and

M u n sif.

(1 )

(2 )

(3 )

(4 )

th e th e th e th e C o u r t C o u r t C o u r t C o u r t o f

o f

tiie

th e

NOTES

(3 ) o f t h e s e c t i o n " th e w ords " S u b o rd in a te Ju d g e " have

" A s s i s t a n t D i s t r i c t J u d g e " by In I te m

been s u b s t i t u t e d by th e w ords Assam A c t X II o f 1967 .

* s.

When o t h e r A c ts r e f e r t o C i v i l C o u r t s , th e y do n o t r e f e r to some o t h e r C i v i l C o u r ts ; th e y r e f e r to t h e C o u r ts w hich a r e known a s C i v i l C o u r ts u n d e r t h i s A ct. U nder t h i s s e c t i o n , th e c o u r t o f t h e M u n s if , A d d i t io n a l Ju d g e o r A s s i s t a n t D i s t r i c t Ju d g e , i s o n e c o u r t th o u g h t h e r e may b e m ore th a n one M u n s if , A s s i s t a n t D i s t r i c t Ju d g e o r a s su c h . I t i s op en f o r th e H igh C o u rt and i n some c a s e s to th e L o ca l G overnm en t, f o r m ere a d - m i n i s t r a t i v e p u rp o s e s t o sa y t h a t f o r e x e r c i s i n g th e [ J u r i s d ic - t i o n o f th e M unsif i n t h e Z d s t r i c t t h e r e may be one o r more M unsifs b u t e v e ry M in s if i s a M unsif f o r th e d i s t r i c t a l th o u g h by an a d m i n i s t r a t i v e o r d e r h e e x e r c i s e s j u r i s d i c t i o n o v e r a l i f t e d p a r t o f th e d i s t r i c t . S e c t io n 3 l a y s down c l a s s e s o f C i v i l C o u r ts and a s su c h t h e R e g i s t r a r o f a H igh C o u r t i s n o t a u th o r i s e d t o d e te r m in e th e q u e s t io n c o v e re d by R ule 5 o f O rd e r 22 ^ G y a n t D evi v . Lakshm i D ev i, AIR 19 75 P a t 138.

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4. Number o f D i s t r i c t J u d g e s , S u b o rd in a te J u d g e s and M u n s ifs . The S t a t e G overnm ent may a l t e r th e num ber o f D.is t r i c t J u d g e s , S u b o r d in a te J u d g e s and M u n sifs now f i x e d . ■

5. Number o f M u n s ifs . R e p e a le d by th e D e c e n t r a l i z a t i o n A c t, 1914 (4 o f 1 9 1 4 )J ,

6 . V a c a n c ie s among D i s t r i c t o r S u b o r d in a te J u d g e s . (1) W henever th e C o u r t o f D i s t r i c t Ju d g e o r S u b o rd in a te Ju d g e i s v a c a n t by re a s o n o f t h e d e a th , r e g i g n a t i o n o r rem o v a l o f th e Ju d g e o r o t h e r c a u s e , o r w henever an i n c r e a s e i n th e number o f D i s t r i c t o r S u b o r d in a te J u d g e s h a s b e e n madefunder th e p r o v i s io n s o f s e c t i o n 4 , th e S t a t e G overnm en t, o r a s th e c a se may b e , t h e H igh C o u r t may f i l l up t h e v a ca n cy o r a p p o in t th e A d d i t io n a l D i s t r i c t Ju d g e o r S u b o rd in a te Ju d g e .

(2 ) N o th in g i n t h i s s e c t i o n s h a l l be c o n s t r u e d t o p r e v e n t a S t a t e G overnm ent from a p p o in t in g a D i s t r i c t Ju d g e o r S u b o r- d in a te Ju d g e to d i s c h a r g e f o r su c h p e r io d a s i t t h in k s f i t , i n ' a d d i t io n to th e f u n c t io n s d e v o lv in g on him a s su ch D i s t r i c t Ju d g e , o r S u b o rd in a te J u d g e , a l l o r any o f th e f u n c t io n s o f a n o th e r D i s t r i c t J u d g e , o r S u b o r d in a te J u d g e , a s th e c a s e may be.

NOTES

In Assam , t h e r e i s no s e p a r a t e c l a s s o f C o u r t o f A d d i t io n a l D i s t r i c t J u d g e . The A d d i t io n a l D i s t r i c t Ju d g e a p p o in te d i n t h a t a re a u n d e r S e c t io n 6 (1 ) o f t h i s A ct way m u s t, t h e r e f o r e , be deemed to be a d i v i s i o n C o u r t o f th e D i s t r i c t Ju d g e and n o t a s e p a ra te and d i s t r i c t C o u r t o f i t s own. /""S a g a r C houdhury v . N a le in C houdhury , AIR 1970 Assam and N ag a lan d 111_J7. The pow er o f t r a n s f e r o f a l l D i s t r i c t J u d g e s i s v e s t e d i n H igh C o u r t by v i r t u e o f A r t i c l e 235 o f t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n .

7. V a c a n c ie s among M u n s if s .— R ep ea led by th e A d a p ta t io n o f Laws O rd e r , 19 37_7.

8 . A d d i t io n a l J u d g e s .— (1) When th e b u s in e s s p e n d in g b e fo r e any D i s t r i c t J u d g e r e q u i r e s th e a id / o f A d d i t io n a l J u d g e s f o r i t s sp eed y d i s p o s a l , t h e S t a t e G overnm ent may, h a v in g c o n s u l te d w ith th e H igh C o u r t , a p p o in t su c h A d d i t io n a l J u d g e s a s may be r e q u i s i t e .

(2 ) A d d i t io n a l J u d g e s so a p p o in te d s h a l l d i s c h a r g e any o f th e f u n c t i o n s , o f a D i s t r i c t J u d g e w h ic h t h e D i s t r i c t Ju d g e may a s s ig n t o them , a n d , i n th e d i s c h a r g e o f t h o s e f u n c t io n s th e y s h a l l e x e r c i s e th e same p o w ers a s th e D i s t r i c t Ju d g e .

NOTES

The pow er t o t r a n s f e r c l a s s o r a p a r t i c u l a r c a s e u n d e r t h - i s s e c tio n , i s n o t b a r r e d . Ja n Kumar Bose v . G ouri B ose, AIR 1975 P a t 1 3 1 J7 . T h e re i s no A d d i t io n a l J u d g e i n Assam. 9 . A d m in is t r a t iv e c o n t r o l o f C o u r t .— S u b je c t t o th e Super- in te n d e n c e o f t h e H igh C o u r t t h e D i s t r i c t Ju d g e s h a l lh a v e admi- n i s t r a t i v e c o n t r o l o v e r a l l t h e C i v i l C o u r ts u n d e r t h i s A ct w i th in th e l o c a l l i m i t s o f h i s j u r i s d i c t i o n .

NOTES

F or a d m i n i s t r a t i v e c o n t r o l o v e r s u b o r d in a te C o u r ts , r e f e r - ence may be made t o C i v i l R u le s and O rd e rs (Volume 1 ) , C h a p te r

33. T h is s e c t i o n p l a c e s a l l^c

i v i l C o u r ts i n a d i s t r i c t u n d e r a d r h in i s t r a t iv e c o n t r o l o f D i s t r i c t J u d g e , w i th in t h e l o c a l l i m i t s o f h i s j u r i s d i c t i o n .

— 5 — ; •

;

10. T em porary c h a rg e o f D i s t r i c t C o u r t s .— (1 ) In th e e v en t o f th e d e a th , r e s i g n a t i o n o r t h e rem o v a l o f th e D i s t r i c t Ju d g e , o r o f h i s b e in g i n c a p a c i t a t e d by i l l n e s s o r o th e r w is e f o r th e p e rfo rm a n c e o f h i s d u t i e s , o r o f h i s a b se n c e from th e p la c e a t w h ich h i s C o u r ts i s h e ld , th e A d d i t io n a l J u d g e / , o r i f an A d d i t io n a l J u d g e i s n o t p r e s e n t a t t h a t p l a c e , th e s e n io r S u b o rd in a te Ju d g e p r e s e n t t h e r e a t , s h a l l , w i th o u t r e l i n q u i s h i n g h i s o r d in a r y d u t i e s , assum e c h a rg e o f t h e d u t i e s o f t h e D i s t r i c t Judge , and s h a l l c o n t in u e i n c h a rg e t h e r e o f y n t i l th e o f f i c e i s resum ed.

(2 ) W h ile i n c h a rg e o f th e o f f i c e o f th e D i s t r i c t Ju d g e , th e A d d i t io n a l J u d g e o r S u b o rd in a te Ju d g e a s th e c a s e may b e , may, s u b j e c t t o any r u l e s w hich th e H igh C o u r t may make i n t h i s b e h a l f , e x e r c i s e any o f th e p o w ers o f th e D i s t r i c t Ju d g e

NOTES

gr,.-

The s e n i o r S u b o r d in a te J u d g e , w i th o u t r e l i n q u i s h i n g h i s o rd in a ry d u t i e s , may so assum e te m p o ra ry c h a rg e o f th e d u t i e s o f th e D i s t r i c t J u d g e s u b j e c t h o w ev er.

High C o u r t may make t o e x e r c i s e any o f th e

t " - - Z Z '' i p '

e x c lu s iv e pow er o f a d i s t r i c t Ju d g e c o n n o t t o any r u l e s w h ic h th e

_ p ow ers o f th e D is-

t r i c t J u d g e . T h e re b e in g no S u b o rd in a te Ju d g e i n Assam, th e

. b e assum ed by o th e r s d in g i n t h e c o u r t o f th e S u b o rd in a te Ju d g e

11. T r a n s f e r o f p r o c e e d in g s on v a c a t i o n o f o f f i c e o f S u b o rd in a te J u d g e s .— (1 ) I n t h e e v e n t o f th e d e a th , r e s i g n a t i o n o r rem o v a l o f a S u b o r d in a te J u d g e , o r o f h i s b e in g i n c a p a c i t a t e d by i l l n e s s o r o th e r w is e a k f o r th e p e rfo rm a n c e o f has d u t i e s , o r o f h i s a b se n c e from t h e p&ace a t w h ich X h i s C o u rt i s h e l d , th e D i s t r i c t Ju d g e may, t r a n s f e r a l l o r any o f t h e p ro c e e d in g s pen- , e i t h e r t o h i s own

C o u rt o r t o any C o u r t u n d e r h i s a d m i n i s t r a t i v e c o n t r o l c o m p e te n t _ to d i s p o s e o f them .

(2 ) P ro c e e d in g s t r a n s f e r r e d u n d e r s u b - s e c t i o n (1 ) s h a l l be d is p o s e d o f a s i f th e y h av e b e e n i n s t i t u t e d i n t h e C o u rt to w hich th e y a r e so t r a n s f e r r e d .

(3 ) P ro v id e d t h a t t h e D i s t r i c t Ju d g e may r e - t r a n s f e r to th e C o u rt o f th e S u b o r d in a te Ju d g e o r h i s s u c c e s s o r s any p ro c e e d in g s t r a n s f e r r e d u n d e r s u b - s e c t i o n (1 ) to h i s own C o u r t o r any o t h e r C o u rt.

(4 ) F o r t h e p u rp o s e s o f p r o c e e d in g s w h ich a r e n o t p e n d in g i n th e c o u r t o f th e S u b o r d in a te Ju d g e on t h e o c c u r re n c e o f any e v e n t r e f e r r e d to i n s u b - s e c t i o n ( 1 ) , and w i th r e s p e c t t o w hich t h a t C o u rt h a s e x c lu s iv e j u r i s d i c t i o n , t h e D i s t r i c t Ju d g e may e x e r c i s e a l l o r any o f t h e j u r i s d i c t i o n o f t h a t C o u r t .

NOTES

In a b se n c e o f A s s i s t a n t D i s t r i c t J u d g e , th e D i s t r i c t Ju d g e i s com peten t to h e re ^ a n a p p e a l from th e o r d e r o r d e c r e e o f a^ Assam and N agaland 122_J7.

j I

•:

M unsif. /~ M a n g ila l A g a rw a lla v . J a m u n a la l A g a rw a lla , AIR-. 19.71 b

1 2 . T em p orary c h a r g e o f o f f i c e o f M u n s i f f s .— / R e p e a le d by th e A d a p ta t io n o f Laws O r d e r , 19 37_/.

1 3 . Pow er to f i x l o c a l l i m i t s o f j u r i s d i c t i o n o f C o u r t s . - "

( 1 ) The S t a t e G overnm ent m ay, by n o t i f i c a t i o n i n th e o f f i c i a l G a z e t t e , f i x and a l t e r t h e l o c a l l i m i t s o f th e j u r i s d i c t i o n o f any C i v i l C o u r t u n d e r t h i s A c t.

(2 ) I f t h e same l o c a l j u r i s d i c t i o n i s a s s ig n e d to tw o o r more S u b o r d in a te J u d g e s o r two o r more M u n s if fs , th e D i s t r i c t Judge may a s s i g n t o e a c h o f them su ch c i v i l b u s in e s s c o g n iz a b le by th e S u b o r d in a te J u d g e o r M u n s if f a s th e c a s e may b e , a s su b - j e c t t o u iy g e n e r a l o r s p e c i a l o r d e r s o f th e H igh C o u r t, / he th in k s f i t .

(3 ) When c i v i l b u s in e s s a r i s i n g i n any l o c a l a r e a i s a s s i - gned by th e D i s t r i c t Ju d ge u n d er s u b - s e c t i o n ( 2 ) , to one o r two o r more S u b o r d in a te J u d g e s o r t o on e o r two o r m ore M u n s if fs , a d e c r e e o r o r d e r p a s s e d by th e S u b o r d in a te J u d ge o r M u n sif s h a l l n o t be i n v a l i d by r e a s o n o n ly o f th e c a s e in w h ich i t w as made h a v in g a r is e n w h o lly o r in p a r t i n a p l a c e beyon d th e l o c a l a r e a i f . t h a t jssb p l a c e i s w it h in th e l o c a l l i m i t s f i x e d by th e S t a t e G overnm ent b y S u b - s e c t io n ( 1 ) .

(4 ) The J u d g e o f a C o u r t o f S m a ll C a u se s a p p o in te d t o be aJJ^so S u b o r d in a te J u d g e o r M u n s if f , a s th e c a s e may b e , w ith in th e m eaning o f thJ s s e c t i o n .

(5 )^T

he p r e s e n t l o c a l l i m i t s o f th e j u r i s d i c / t i o n o f e v e r y C i v i l C o u r t u n d er t h i s A c t s h a l l b e deem ed t o h ave been f i x e d u n d er t h i s s e c t i o n .

NOTES

An o r d e r u n d e r S e c t io n 13 (2 ) d o e s n o t a f f e c t a t r a n s f e r ' o f j u r i s d i c t i o n , b e c a u s e i t m e re ly d i s t r i b u t e s , a s a m a tte r o f a d m in i s t r a t iv e c o n v e n ie n c e and w i t h r e f e r e n c e t o c e r t a i n l o c a l a r e a s , th e c i v i l b u s in e s s am on gest tw o o r m ore .C o u rts ea ch o f w h ich h a s j u r i s d i c t i o n o v e r th e w h o le a r e a . B ut w here / th e S t a t e G overnm ent h a s c o n f e r r e d on him a p a r t i c u l a r j u r i s d i c t i o n ) t h a t c a n n o t b e d i v e s t e d b y D i s t r i c t J u d g e .

The D i s t r i c t J u d g e c a n n o t t a k e away th e j u r i s d i c t i o n o f a C o u rt t o e x e c u t e a d e c r e e p a s s e d by i t , when i t i s th e o n ly C o u rt w h ic h c a n e x e c u t e i t u n d e r th e p r o v i s i o n s o f S e c t io n 38 | re a d w it h S e c t io n 37 o f t h e^c

i v i l P ro c e d u re C ode. Where th e t r i a l J u d g e who t r i e d th e c a s e a t G a u h a t i , had j u r i s d i c t i o n to t r y th e c a s e a t T e zp u r and v i c e v e r s a , t h e f a c t t h a t h e d id n o t t r y th e c a s e a t T e zp u r b u t a t G a u h a ti w ould n o t make th e o r d e r o r ju d gem en t i n v a l i d f o r t h a t r e a s o n s / AIR 19 5 2 Assam 88__/. The Suprem e C o u r t h e ld in T r.i.ogt N ath v . In d ia n Iro n and S t e e l C o. L td . ^f"AIR 1963 SC 2 O 5 _ /th a t th e la b o u r C o u r ts co n - s t i t u t e d u n d e r t h e I n d u s t r i a l D is p u te s A c t h a v e no co m p a riso n w ith th e c o u r t s c o n s t i t u t e d u n d e r t h i s A c t .

T h e _ A lla h a b a d H igh C o u r t h e ld i n Nand K is h o r e v . Mool C handra / AIR 1966 A l l 6 1 3 t h a t S e c t io n 31 o f t h e A r b i t r a t i o n A c t d o e s n o t p r e v e n t . a D i s t r i c t J u d g e from e x e r c i s i n g h i s pow er . o f tr a n s fe r * u n d e r S e c t io n 1 3 , o r u n d e r th e p r o v i s i o n s o f C. P. C. 1 4 . P la c e o f s i t t i n g o f C o u r t s . - - ( 1 ) The S t a t e G overnm ent may by n o t i f i c a t i o n in th e O f f i c i a l G a z e t t e , f i x o r a l t e r th e p la c e o r p l a c e s w h ic h any C i v i l C o u rt u n d e r t h i s A c t i s t o he h e ld (2 ) A l l p l a c e s a t w h ich any su ch c o u r t s a r e now h d l d , s h a l l be deemed t o h a v e b een f i x e d u n d e r t h i s s e c t i o n .

NOTES

I t i s n o t th e a c t u a l s i t t i n g o n .a p a r t i c u l a r d ay t h a t d e te r m in e s th e s i t u a t i o n o f t h e C o u r t b u t th e s i t u a t i o n i s d e- te rm in e d by th e p la c e d o f s i t t i n g a s r e q u i r e d by t h e Law f o r t h a t p u r p o s e .

1 5 . V a c a t io n s o f C v 'r h s . — ( 1 ) S u b je c t to su ch o r d e r s a s nEcayxa may b e made b y th e S t a t e <^ vernm ent th e H igh C o u r t s h a l l , p r e p a r e a l i s t o f d a y s to b e o b s e r v e d in e a c h y e a r a s h o l id a y s in th e C i v i l C o u r ts .

(2 ) The l i s t s h a l l be p u b l is h e d i n th e o f f i c i a l G a z e t te . ' (3 ) A j u d i c i a l a c t don e b y a C i v i l C o u r t on a d ay s p e c i - f i e d i n th e l i s t s h a l l n o t be i n v a l i d by r e a s o n o n ly o f i t s h a v in g b e e n done on t h a t d a y .

NOTES

U nder t h e N e g o t ia b le In s tr u m e n ts A c t , when a day i s deol. an re d to b e a h o l i d a y , th e H igh C o u r t may a l s o by a n o t i f i c a t i o n d e c la r e a h o l i d a y f o r th e C i v i l C o u r ts s u b o r d in a te to i t u n d er t h i s S e c t io n .

1 6 . S e a ls o f C o u r t .— E very C i v i l C o u r t u n d e r t h i s A c t ! s h a l l u s e a s e a l o f su ch form and d im e n s io n s a s a r e p r e s c r ib e d by th e S t a t e G overn m en t.

1 7 . C o n tin u a n c e o f p r o c e e d in g s o f C o u r ts c e a s in g t o have ? // j u r i s d i c t i o n . — ( 1 ) Where any^c

i v i l C o u r t u n d e r t h i s A c t h as / f o r any c a u s e c e a s e d t o h a v e j u r i s d i c t i o n w it h r e s p e c t to any c a s e , any p r o c e e d in g i n r e l a t i o n to t h a t c a s e w h ich , i f t h a t C o u rt h a v e n o t c e a s e d to h ave j u r i s d i c t i o n , m ig h t h ave b e e n , had th e c a s e t h e r e in may be had in th e c o u r t t o v h ic h th e b u s i- n e ss o f th e fo rm e r C o u r t h a s been t r a n s f e r r e d .

(2) N o th in g i n t h i s s e c t i o n a p p l i e s t o c a s e s from w h ich p r o v is io n i s made i n S e c t io n s 3 6 ,3 7 and 114 o f , and R u le 1 o f

O rd e r XLVII i n S c h e d u le I t o th e Code o f C i v i l P ro c e d u re , 1908 , o r i n any o t h e r e n a c tm e n t f o r t h e tim e b e in g i n f o r c e .

NOTES

U nder t h e c i r c u m s ta n c e s when th e c o u r t w h ic h p a s s e d t h e d e c re e i s a b o l i s h e d , i t i s th e c o u r t t o w h ich i t s b u s in e s s isc i s t r a n s f e r r e d i s c o m p e te n t to e x e c u te th e d e c r e e .

CHAPTER I I I

ORDINARY JURISDICTION

1 8 . E x te n t o f o r i g i n a l j u r i s d i c t i o n o f^D

i s t r i c t o r S u b o rd in a te J u d g e .— Save a s o th e r w is e p ro v id e d by any e n a c tm e n t f o r th e t im e b e in g i n f o r c e , t h e j u r i s d i c t i o n o f a D i s t r i c t Ju d g e o r S u b o rd in a te J u d g e e x te n d s , s u b j e c t t o th e p r o v i s io n s o f S e c t io n 15 o f th e Code o f C i v i l P ro c e d u re , 1908 to a l l o r i g i n a l s u i t s f o r th e t im e b e in g c o g n iz a b le by C i v i l C o u r ts .

NOTES

The f i g u r e "1908" h a s b e e n i n s e r t e d by Assam A ct VI o f

1935.

1 9 . E x te n t o f j u r i s d i c t i o n o f M u n s lf .— (1 ) Save a s a fo ra a i and s u b j e c t t o th e p r o v i s i o n o f s u b - s e c t i o n ( 2 ) , t h e j u r i s d i c t l o o f a M unsif e x te n d s t o a l l l i k e s u i t s o f w hich t h e v a lu e does no e x ce ed jgrreo th o u s a n d r u p e e s .

(2 ) The S t a t e G overnm ent may, on th e rec o n ro e n d a tio n o f th< H igh C o u r t , d i r e c t , by n o t i f i c a t i o n i n '/ V n e o f f i c i a l G a z e t te w ith r e s p e c t t o any M unsif named t h e r e i n t h a t h i s j u r i s d i c t i o n s h a l l e x te n d t o a l l l i k e s u i t s o f su c h v a lu e n o t e x c e e d in g lf ^ v e th o u - san d r u p e e s a s may be s p e c i f i e d i n t h e n o t i f i c a t i o n s ' ^ ~ P ro v id ed t h a t t h e S t a t e G overnm ent may, by n o t i f i c a t i o n in th e o f f i c i a l G a z e t te , d e l e g a t e to t h e H igh C o u r t i t s pow ers unde t h i s S e c t io n .

NOTES

The s u b - c la u s e (b ) i n s u b - s e c t i o n (2 ) h a s been d e le t e d by Assam A c t IX o f 1965 and by t h e same Assam Amendment A c t, Sub- c la u s e (a ) h a s b e en m erged i n s u b - s e c t i o n (2 ) and f o r th e words

"one th o u sa n d " o c c u r in g i n s u b - s e c t i o n (1 ) th e w ords " th ~ e e th o u sa n d " h a s b een s u b s t i t u t e d and i n s u b - s e c t i o n (2 ) f o r th e w ords "tw o th o u s a n d " , t h e w ords " f i v e th o u s a n d " hav e b een s u b s t i t u t e d .

20. A p p e a ls from D i s t r i c t and A d d i t io n a l J u d g e s .— (1 ) Save a s o th e r w is e p r o v id e d by any e n a c tm e n t f o r th e tim e b e in g i n f o r c e , an a p p e a l fro m a d e c r e e o r o r d e r o f a D i s t r i c t Ju d g e o r an A d d i t io n a l Ju d g e s h a l l l i e t o t h e H igh C o u r t . (2 ) An a p p e a l s h a l l n o t l i e t o th e H igh C o u r t from a d e c re e o r o r d e r o f an A d d i t io n a l Ju d g e i n any c a s e i n w h ich i f th e d e c re e o r o r d e r h a s b e en made by th e D i s t r i c t J u d g e , an a p p e a l w ould n o t l i e t o t h a t C o u r t .

NOTES

T h is s e c t i o n d o e s n o t g iv e r i g h t o f a p p e a l from e v e ry o r - d e r o f a d i s t r i c t Ju d g e to th e H igh C o u r t . I t o n ly d e a l s w ith t h e form o f a p p e a l .

I n Assam t h e r e i s no A d d i t io n a l J u d g e a t p r e s e n t .

21. A p p e a ls from S u b o rd in a te Ju d g e s and M u n s if s .— ( l ) S a v e a3 a f o r e s a i d , an a p p e a l from a d e c r e e o r o r d e r o f a S u b o rd in a te Ju d g e s h a l l l i e —

(a ) t o th e D i s t r i c t J u d g e w h ere t h e v a lu e o f th e o r i g i n a l s u i t i n w h ich o r i n any p r o c e e d in g a r i s i n g o u t o/ w hich t h e d e c r e e o r o r d e r was made d id n o t e x ce ed sev en th o u sa n d r u p e e s .

(b ) t o th e H igh C o u r t i n any o t h e r c a s e .

(2 ) Save a s a f o r e s a i d , an a p p e a l from a d e c r e e o r an orde o f a M unsif s h a l l l i e t o th e D i s t r i c t Ju d g e .

(3 ) W here t h e f u n c t i o n o f r e c e i v i n g any a p p e a ls w h ich lie to th e D i s t r i c t Ju d g e u n d e r s u b - s e c t i o n (1 ) o r s u b - s e c t i o n (2) h a s b een a s s ig n e d t o an A d d i t io n a l J u d g e , t h e a p p e a ls may be px f e r r e d t o t h e A d d i t io n a l J u d g e .

(4 ) The H ig h C o u rt may, w i th th e p r e v io u s s a n c t io n o f the S t a t e G overnm ent d i r e c t , by n o t i f i c a t i o n i n t h e o f f i c i a l G a z e t t t h a t a p p e a ls l y in g i n th e D i s t r i c t Ju d g e u n d e r S u b - s e c t io n (2 ) from a l l o r any o f t h e d e c r e e s o r o r d e r s o f any M unsif s h a l l be p r e f e r r e d to th e C o u r t o f su c h S u b o rd in a te Ju d g e a s may b e men- t io n e d i n th e n o t i f i c a t i o n , and th e a p p e a ls s h a l l th e re u p o n be p r e f e r r e d a c c o r d in g ly .

NOTES

In c la u s e (a ) o f s u b - s e c t i o n ( 1 ) , f o r th e w ords " f iv e th o u sa n d r u p e e s " , t h e w ords " se v en th o u s a n d ru p e e s " h a v e been s u b s t i t u t e d by Assam A c t IX o f 1965 , and th e s e p r o v i s io n s shal ap p ly i r r e s p e c t i v e o f t h e f a c t t h a t s u i t s , p r o c e e d in g s ,d e c r e e s o r o r d e r s o u t o f w h ich th e a p p e a ls r e f e r r e d to t h e r e i n a r i s e we i n s t i t u t e d o r made p r i o r to th e commencement o f Assam Amendment A ct IX o f 1965.

U nder S e c t io n 5 (2 ) o f t h e s a id Assam Amendment A c t, n o t

w i th s ta n d in g a n y th in g to th e c o n t r a r y c o n ta in e d i n th e L im ita t A c t, 1963 , an a p p e a l from a d e c r e e o r o r d e r made b e fo r e t h e commencement o f t h i s Amendment A c t, w h ich b u t f o r th e p r o v i s i o f su ch A c t, w ould hav e b e e n p r e f e r r e d b e f o r e th e High C o u rt

w ith in n in e ty d a y s from th e d a te o f su c h d e c r e e o r o r d e r , s n a i l be p r e f e r r e d b e f o r e t h e D i s t r i c t J u d g e , w i th in th e s a i d p e r io d . N o th in g i n t h i s Amendment A ct s h a l l be deem ed t o a f f e c t any a p p e a l i n s t i t u t e d p r i o r to th e commencement o f su c h A c t, I t i s t r u e t h a t an a p p e a l fro m an o r i g i n a l o r d e r o r d e c r e e o f th e C o u r t o f M unsif s h a l l l i e t o t h e A s s i s t a n t D i s t r i c t Ju d g e even th e n on t h e o c c u re n c e o f an e v e n t u n d e r S e c t io n 1 1 (4 ) o f th e A c t, a D i s t r i c t J u d g e may e x e r c i s e a l l o r any j u r i s d i c t i o n o f th e C o u r t o f A s s i s t a n t D i s t r i c t J u d g e . /M a b g i l a l , A g a rw a lla v . J a m u n a la l A r a r w a l la , AIR 1971 Assam and N agaland 122J *

CHAPTER IV

SPECIAL JURISDICTION

22. Pow er t o t r a n s f e r to S u b o rd in a te J u d g e s , a p p e a ls from M u n s if s .— (1 ) A D i s t r i c t Ju d g e may t r a n s f e r to any S u b o rd in a te Ju d g e u n d e r h i s a d m i n i s t r a t i v e c o n t r o l any a p p e a ls p e n d in g b e f o r e him from t h e d e c r e e s o r o r d e r s o f M u n s if f s . (2 ) The D i s t r i c t J u d g e may w ith d ra w any a p p e a l 50 t r a n s - f e r r e d and e i t h e r / h e a r and d is p o s e o f i t h im s e l f o r t r a n s f e r i t to a C o u r t u n d e r / h i s a d m i n i s t r a t i v e c o n t r o l c o m p e te n t to d i s p o s e o f i t .

(3 ) A p p e a ls t r a n s f e r r e d u n d e r t h i s s e c t i o n s h a l l ?oe d is p o sed o f s u b j e c t t o th e r u l e a p p l i c a b l e t o l i k e a p p e a ls when d is p o s e d o f by t h e D i s t r i c t J u d g e .

NOTES

A D i s t r i c t J u d g e , t o whom an a p p e a l i s p r e f e r r e d u n d e r S e c t io n 21 a g a i n s t an o r d e r o f t h e M u n s if , h a s pow er to t r a n s fe th e a p p e a l to a S u b o r d in a te Ju d g e and t h e l a t t e r h a s th e J u r i s - d i c t i o n to d i s p o s e o f t h e a p p e a l .

23* E x e r c is e by S u b o r d in a te J u d g e o r M unsif o f j u r i s d i c t l . o f D i s t r i c t C o u r t i n c e r t a i n p r o c e e d in g s . — (1 ) The High C o u r t may, by g e n e r a l o r s p e c i a l o r d e r , a u t h o r i z e an < S u b o rd in a te Jud( o r M unsif t o t a k e c o g n iz a n c e o f , o r any D i s t r i c t Ju d g e t o t r a n s f e r to a S u b o r d in a te Ju d g e o r M in s if u n d e r h i s a d m in i s t r a t iv e c o n t r o l , any o f t h e p r o c e e d in g s n e x t h e r e i n a f t e r m en tio n ed o r a c l a s s o f t h o s e p r o c e e d in g s s p e c i f i e d i n t h e o r d e r . (2 ) The p r o c e e d in g s r e f e r r e d to i n s u b - s e c t i o n (1 ) a r e th fo l lo w in g nam ely :

( a ) P ro c e e d in g s u n d e r B en g al R e g u la t io n 5 , 1799 ( to l i m i t t h e i n t e r f e r e n c e o f t h e Z i l l a and C ity C o u rts o f D iw ani A d a la t i n th e e x e c u t io n o f w i l l s and a d m in is tra te ! t o t h e e s t a t e s o f p e r s o n s d y in g i n t e s t a t e ) . Z" (b ) ************

************

X J.

(d ) P ro c e e d in g s u n d e r th e I n d ia n S u c c e s s io n A c t, 1925 w h ich c a n n o t be d is p o s e d o f by D i s t r i c t D e le g a te s ; and

( e ) R e fe re n c e s by C o l l e c t o r s u n d e r p a ra g ra p h 5 o f th e T h ird S c h e d u le to th e Code o f C i v i l P ro c e d u re ; 1908. (3 ) The D i s t r i c t J u d g e may w ith d ra w any su ch p r o c e e d in g s ta k e n c o g n iz a n c e o f b y , o r t r a n s f e r r e d t o , a S u b o rd in a te Ju d g e o r M u n s if , and may e i t h e r h im s e l f d i s p o s e o f them o r t r a n s f e r them to a Courjt u n d e r h i s a d m i n i s t r a t i v e c o n t r o l c o m p e te n t to d i s p o s e o f them .

NOTES

T h is s e c t i o n h a s b een amended by Assam A c t VT o f 1935 . 24 . D is p o s a l o f p r o c e e d in g s r e f e r r e d to i n l a s t f o r e - g o in g s e c t i o n . — (1 ) P ro c e e d in g s t a k e n c o g n iz a n c e o f b y , o r t r a n s f e r r e d t o , a S u b o rd in a te Ju d g e o f M u n s if , a s t h e c a s e may b e , u n d e r t h e l a s t f o r e g o in g s e c t i o n s h a l l be d is p o s e d o f by him s u b j e c t t o t h e r u l e s a p p l i c a b l e to l i k e p ro c e e d in g s when d is p o s e d o f by t h e D i s t r i c t Ju d g e :

P ro v id e d t h a t an a p p e a l from an o r d e r o f a M unsif i n any su c h p r o c e e d in g s s h a l l l i e to t h e D i s t r i c t Ju d g e . (2 ) An a p p e a l from th e o r d e r o f t h e D i s t r i c t Ju d g e on t h e a p p e a l fro m th e o r d e r o f a M unsif u n d e r t h i s s e c t i o n s h a l l l i e t o th e H igh C o u r t i f a f u r t h e r a p p e a l from th e o r d e r o f th D i s t r i c t .judge i s a llo w e d by t h e law f o r th e t im e b e in g i n f o r c e .

25 . Power to i n v e s t S u b o rd in a te J u d g e s and M u n s ifs w ith S m all C au ses C o u r t j u r i s d i c t i o n . — The S t a t e G overnm ent may, by n o t i f i c a t i o n i n th e o f f i c i a l G a z e t te , c o n f e r , w ith su c h l o c a l l i m i t s a s i t t h i n k s f i t upon any S u b o r d in a te Ju d g e o r M unsif th e j u r i s d i c t i o n o f a J u d g e o f a C o u r t o f S m all C auses u n d e r th e P r o v i n c i a l S m all C ause C o u r ts A c t, 1887 f o r t h e t r i a l o f s u i t s c o g n iz a b le by su c h C o u r ts up t o su c h v a lu e n o t e x ce e d in g se v e n h u n d re d and f i f t y ru p e e s i n th e c a s e o f a S u b o rd in a te Ju d g e o r t h r e e h u n d re d ru p e e s i n th e c a s e o f a M unsif a s i t t h in k s f i t , and may w ith d ra w any j u r i s d i c t i o n so c o n f e r r e d :

V :

P ro v id e d t h a t th e S t a t e G overnm ent m ay, by n o t i f i c a t i o n i n th e o f f i c i a l G a z e t te d e l e g a t e t o th e H igh C o u r t i t s pow ers u n d e r t h i s s e c t i o n .

NOTES

S e c t io n 25 i s am ended by Assam A c t VI o f 1935. ^""C hap ters V and VI c o n ta in in g S e c t io n s 26 to 29 and 30 to 35 h a v e b een r e p e a le d J-

CHAPTER

SUPPLEMENTAL

36. Power to confer powers of Civil Courts on officers.—

(1) The State Government may invest with the powers of any Civil Court under this Act, by name or in virtue of office— •

(a) any officer in the Chota Nagpur (Sambalpur), Jalpaiguri or Darjeeling District, or in any part of the State of Assam; or

(b) after consultation with the High Court, any officer serving in any other part of the territories to which this Act extends and belonging to a class defined in this behalf by the State Government.

(2) Nothing in sections 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 or 11 applies to any officer so Invested, but ths all the other provisions of this Act, shall, so far as those provisions can be made appli- cable, apply to him as if he were a Judge of the Court with the powers of which he is invested. ;B

(3) Where in the territories mentioned in clause (a) of sub-section (1), the same local jurisdiction is assigned to two or more officers invested with the powers of a Munsif the officers invested with the powers of a District Judge may^with the previous sanction of the State Government, delegate his functions under sub-section (2) of Section 13 to the officer invested with the powers of a Subordinate Judge or to one of the officers invested with the powers of a Munsif.

(4) Where the place at which the Court or an officer invested with the powers under sub»section (1) is to be held, / has not been fixed under Section 14, the Court # may be held at any place within the local limits of / his jurisdiction.

37. Certain decisions to be under Native Law.— (l),Whei*e in any suit or other proceeding it is necessary for a Civil Court to decide any question regarding successions, inheritan- ce, marriage or caste, or any religious usage or institution,¹ the Mohammadan Law in cases where the parties are Mohammadans,; a*d the Hindu Law in cases where the parties are Hindus shall ; form the rule of decision except in so far as such law has,by /

legislative enactment, been altered or abolished. (2) In cases not provided for in sub-section (1) or by any other law for the time being in force, the Court shall acj according to justice, equity and good conscience. NOTES

s u i t s X

38. J u d g e s n o t t o t r y ^ i n w h ich th e y a r e i n t e r e s t e d . The p r e s i d i n g o f f i c e r o f a C i v i l C o u r t s h a l l n o t f r y any s u K o r o t h e r p ro c e e d in g t o w h ich h e i s a p a r t y o r i n w h ich h e i s \ p e r s o n n a l ly i n t e r e s t e d .

(2 ) The p r e s i d i n g o f f i c e r o f a n A p p e l la te C i v i l C o u r t u n d e r t h i s A c t , s h a l l n o t t r y an a p p e a l a g a i n s t a d e c r e e o r o r d e r p a s s e d by h im s e l f i n a n o th e r c a p a c i ty . (3 ) When any su ch s u i t , p ro c e e d in g o r a p p e a l a s i s r e f e - r r e d to i n s u b - s e c t i o n (1 ) o r s u b - s e c t i o n ( 2 ) , comes b e f o r e any su c h o f f i c e r , th e o f f i c e r s h a l l f o r t h w i th t r a n s m i t t h e r e c o r d o f t h e c a s e t o t h e C o u rt t o w h ic h h e i s im m e d ia te ly s u b o r d in a te w i th a r e p o r t o f th e c i r c u m s ta n c e s a t t e n d i n g th e r e f e r e n c e .

(4 ) The S u p e r io r C o u r t s h a l l th e re u p o n X d is p o s e o f t h e c a s e u n d e r S e c t io n 24 o f t h e Code o f^c

i v i l P r o c e d u r e ,1908 . (5 ) N o th in g i n t h i s s e c t i o n s h a l l b e deem ed t o a f f e c t t h e x t r a o r d in a r y o r i g i n a l c i v i l j u r i s d i c t i o n o f t h e H igh C o u r t.

NOTES

T h is s e c t i o n h a s b e e n amended by Assam A ct VI o f 1935 .

39. S u b o r d in a t io n o f C o u r ts to D i s t r i c t C o u r t .— F o r the' p u rp o se o f th e l a s t f o r e g o in g s e c t i o n , th e p r e s i d i n g o f f i c e r o a c o u r t s u b j e c t . t o th e a d m i n i s t r a t i v e c o n t r o l o f t h e D i s t r i c t ! Ju d g e s h a l l be deem ed to b e im m e d ia te ly s u b o r d in a te to th e C o u rt o f t h e D i s t r i c t J u d g e , and f o r th e p u rp o s e o f th e C o d e .( C i v i l P r o c e d u r e , 1908 th e C o u r t o f su c h an o f f i c e r s h a l l be ! deemed to b e o f a g ra d e i n f e r i o r t o t h a t o f t h e C o u r t p f th e j D i s t r i c t J u d g e . i

• * t . 4 0 . A p p l i c a t io n o f A c t to P r o v i n c i a l C o u r ts o f S n a i l C a u s e s .— (1 ) T h is s e c t i o n , and S e c t io n s 1 5 ,3 1 ,3 7 ,3 8 and 39 a p p ly t o th e C o u r t o f S m all C au ses c o n s t i t u t e d u n d e r th e P r o v i n c ia l C a u se s C o u r ts A c t, 1887 .

(2 ) Save a s p ro v id e d by t h i s A c t , t h e o t h e r s e c t i o n s t h i s A ct do n o t a p p ly t o th o s e C o u r ts .

Assam act 012 of 1887 : The Bengal, Agra and Assam Civil Court Act, 1887

SECTIONS