The Bengal, Agra and Assam Civil Court Act, 1887
_r_ i (A c t X II o f 1 8 8 7 )

com* ENTS

S e c tio n S e c t i o n

CHAPTER I U lA J a w X J,; ’ ■

P r e l i m i n a r y O r d in a r y J u r i s d i c t i o n .

1 T i t l e , e x t e n t an d conm - 18 E x te n t o f o r i g i n a l j u r i s d i

e n c e m e n t. 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 |

R e p e a l o f A c ts 6 o f 1871
an d 19 o f 1 8 8 7 . 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 if. f

CHAPTER I I

2 0 . A p p e a l fro m D i s t r i c t . a n

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

A d d i t i o n a l J u d g e d

C o u rts

2 1 . A p p e a ls fro m S u b o r d in a te

3 C la s s e s o f C o u r ts .

J u d g e s an d F 4 u n sifs.

4 . Num ber o f D i s t r i c t

J u d g e s , S u b o r d in a te CHAPTER IV
J u d g e s an d M u n s ifs .

S p e c i a l J u r i s d i c t i o n

5 R epea l e d J _._

22 Pow er t o t r a n s f e r to Suboy

6 V a c a n c ie s am ong D i s t r i c t

d i n a t e J u d g e s a p p e a ls

o r S u b o r d in a te J u d g e s .

M u n s if f s .

R e p e a le d - / [7].

23 E x e r c is e d by S u b o r d in a te

A d d itio n a l J u d g e s . J u d g e o r M u n sif o f j u i

d i c t i o n o f D i s t r i c t CotL _i_

A d m i n i s t r a t i v e C o n tr o l

i n c e r t a i n p r o c e e d in g s . A

C o u r ts .              -

24 D is p o s a l o f p r o c e e d in g s

c h a r g e o f

r e f e r r e d t o i n l a s t f o r e ^

C o u r ts .

in g s e c t i o n .

T r a n s f e r o f p r o c e e d in g s

2 5 . Pow er to i n v e s t S u b o x d ln r

o n v a c a t i o n o f o f f i c e o f

J u d g e s a n d M u n sif w ith Snr

S u b o r d in a te J u d g e s .

11 C a u se s C o u rt ju r is d ie t}

R e p e a le d ^ / [7]. 2fiB€5btxxyqtxR^i : f

f i x l o c a l

CHAPTER **V**

f J u r i s d i c -

2 6 -2 9 . ^ " R e p e a le d - / [7]’. .•'«

C o u r ts .

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


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37. C e rta in d e c is io n s to be 39 S u b o rd in a tio n o f C o u rts to
### I a c c o rd in g to n a tiv e law . D i s t r i c t C o u rt.

38. Ju d g es n o t to tr y s u i t s in **40** A p p lic a tio n o f A ct to P ro­

which th e y a re in te r e s te d . v in c ia l C o u rts o f Sm all

C auses.

1 1 th M arch, 1887J

# 1

An A ct to c o n s o lid a te and amend th e law r e l a t i n g to

th e C iv il C o u rts in B en g al, th e N o rth -w e ste rn P ro v in c e s

and Assam.

W hereas i t i s e x p e d ie n t to c o n s o lid a te and amend th e law

r e l a t i n g to C iv il C o u rts in B engal, th e N o rth -W cstem P ro v in c e s
and Assam ;

I t i s h ereb y enacted. as fo llo w s :

CHAPTER I

P re lim in a ry

1. T i t l e , e x te n t and comm encem ent.- (1) T h is A ct may be

c a lle d th e B en g al, Agra and Assam C iv il C o u rts A ct, 1397. —

(2) I t e x te n d s to th e t e r r i t o r i e s (w hich were on th e 11 th

March 1387) r e s p e c tiv e ly a d m in is te re 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 estern P ro v in c e s and th e 'T hief Commissio­
n e r o f Assam e x c e p t such p r o tio 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 re n o t s u b je c t to th e o rd in a ry c i v i l j u r i s d i c ­
t io n o f th e High C o u rt. I1

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

2. R epeal o f A cts 6 o f 1871 and 19 o f 1887. - (1) ^/Repe-

a le d by th e Amending A ct, 1391 (12 o f 1891)_ 7 .

" M i /

(2) A ll c o u r ts c o n s titu te d , a p p o in tm e n ts, n o m in a ti,a t i o n

and o rd e rs made, j u r i s d i c t i o n s and pow ers c o n fe rre d , a'
l i s t s p u b lis h e d u n d e r th e B engal C iv il C o u rts A c t,1371,
en actm en t th e re b y re p e a le d , o r p u r p o r tin g e x p re s s ly o r inj
to have been so c o n s titu te d , made, c o n fe rre d and p u b lis h e i g

be deemed to have been re s p e c tiv e ly c o n s titu te d , m ade, con.0

           - t o and p u b lis h e d u n d e r t h i s A ct; and s,.

^ [3] ) en actm en t o r docum ent r e f e r r i n g to th e Bengal C ifjJ

'd f < C o u rts A ct, 1871, o r to any en actm en t th e re b y re p e a le d * s h a ll

_[s] na2* ‘ b e c o n s tru e d to r e f e r to t h i s -Act o r t o th e c o rre sp o n d in g

r<2iy p o r tio n th e re o f

_I_

NOTES

T h is A ct h as been e x te n d ed to Assam by Assam Act

1947 /


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C o n s titu tio n o f C iv il C o u rts

3. C la s s e s o f C o u rts. T here s h a l l be th e fo llo w in g c la s s e s

o f C iv il C o u rts u n d e r t h i s A ct, nam ely :

(1) th e C o u rt o f tiie D i s t r i c t Ju dge ;
(2) th e C o u rt o f th e A d d itio n a l Ju d g e ;

(3) th e C o u rt o f th e A s s is ta n t D i s t r i c t Ju d g e ; and

(4) th e C o u rt o f th e M unsif.

NOTES

In Ite m (3) o f th e s e c tio n " th e w ords "S u b o rd in a te Ju d g e" have

been s u b s titu te d by th e w ords " A s s is ta n t D i s t r i c t Ju d g e" by
Assam A ct X II o f 1967.

                                                                          - s.

When o th e r A cts r e f e r to C iv il C o u rts, th e y do n o t r e f e r to

some o th e r C iv il C o u rts; th e y r e f e r to th e C o u rts w hich a re

known a s C iv il C o u rts u n d er t h i s A ct. U nder t h i s s e c tio n , th e I
c o u rt o f th e M unsif, A d d itio n a l Judge o r A s s is ta n t D i s t r i c t       - <ft

Ju d g e, i s one c o u r t th ough th e r e may be more th a n one M unsif,

A s s is ta n t D i s t r i c t Ju d g e o r as su ch . I t i s open f o r th e H igh
C ourt and in some c a s e s to th e L ocal G overnm ent, f o r m ere ad ­

m in is tr a tiv e p u rp o se s to say t h a t f o r e x e r c is in g th e [Ju risd ic ­

tio n o f th e M unsif in th e Z d s t r i c t th e r e may be one o r more
M unsifs b u t ev ery M in sif i s a M unsif f o r th e d i s t r i c t a lth o u g h
by an a d m in is tr a tiv e o r d e r he e x e r c is 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 tio n 3 la y s down c la s s e s o f
C iv il C o u rts and a s su ch th e R e g is tr a r o f a High C o u rt i s n o t

a u th o ris e d to d e te rm in e th e q u e s tio n c o v ered by Rule 5 o f

O rder 22 ^ G y a n t Devi v . Lakshmi D evi, AIR 19 75 P a t 138.

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 Ju d g e s and

M u n sifs. The S ta te G overnm ent may a l t e r th e number o f D.is t r i c t _■_

Ju d g e s, S u b o rd in a te Ju d g e s and M unsifs now fix e d .

5. Number o f M u n sifs. R epealed by th e D e c e n tra liz a tio n

A ct, 1914 (4 o f 1914)J ,

6 . V acan cies among D i s t r i c t o r S u b o rd in a te Ju d g e s. (1)

W henever th e C o u rt o f D i s t r i c t Judge o r S u b o rd in a te Judge i s

v a c a n t by re a so n o f th e d e a th , r e g ig n a tio n o r rem oval o f th e
Judge o r o th e r c a u s e , o r w henever an in c r e a s e in th e number

o f D i s t r i c t o r S u b o rd in a te Ju d g e s h a s been madefunder th e
p ro v is io n s o f s e c tio n 4 , th e S ta te G overnm ent, o r a s th e case
may b e , th e High C o u rt may f i l l up th e vacancy o r a p p o in t th e

A d d itio 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.


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(2) N othing in t h i s s e c tio n s h a l l be c o n stru e d to p re v e n t

a S ta te Government from a p p o in tin g a D i s t r i c t Ju dge o r S ubor-

d in a te Judge to d is c h a rg e f o r su ch p e rio d a s i t th in k s f i t , in

' a d d itio n to th e fu n c tio n s d e v o lv in g on him a s such D i s t r i c t

Judge, o r S u b o rd in a te Ju d g e , a l l o r any o f th e fu n c tio n s o f

an o th er 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 , a s th e c a se may
be.

NOTES

In Assam, th e r e i s no s e p a r a te c la s s o f C o u rt o f A d d itio n a l

D is tr ic t Ju d g e . The A d d itio n a l D i s t r i c t Ju dge a p p o in te d in t h a t
area u n d er S e c tio n 6 (1) o f t h i s A ct way m u st, th e r e f o r e , be
deemed to be a d iv is io n C o u rt o f th e D i s t r i c t Judge and n o t a
se p a ra te and d i s t r i c t C o u rt o f i t s own. /""S agar Choudhury v .

N alein C houdhury, AIR 1970 Assam and N agaland 111_J7. The pow er

o f tr a n s f e r o f a l l D i s t r i c t Ju d g e s i s v e s te d in High C o u rt by
v ir tu e o f A r tic le 235 o f th e C o n s titu tio n .

7. V acan cies among M u n sifs.— R epealed by th e A d a p tatio n

of Laws O rd e r, 19 37_7.

8. A d d itio n a l J u d g e s .— (1) When th e b u s in e s s p en d in g b e fo re

any D i s t r i c t Ju d g e r e q u ir e s th e a id / o f A d d itio n a l Ju d g e s fo r
i t s speedy d is p o s a l, th e S ta te Governm ent may, h av in g c o n su lte d
w ith th e High C o u rt, a p p o in t such A d d itio n a l Ju d g e s a s may be
r e q u is ite .

(2) A d d itio n a l Ju d g e s so a p p o in te d s h a l l d is c h a rg e any o f

th e f u n c tio n s , o f a D i s t r i c t Ju d g e w hich th e D i s t r i c t Ju d g e may
a ssig n to them , and, in th e d is c h a rg e o f th o s e fu n c tio n s th e y
s h a ll e x e r c is e th e same pow ers a s th e D i s t r i c t Ju d g e.

NOTES

The pow er to 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 se u n d er th ­

i s sectio n , i s n o t b a rre d . Jan Kumar Bose v . G ouri B ose, AIR

1975 P a t 131J7. T h ere i s no A d d itio n a l Ju d g e in Assam.

9. A d m in is tra tiv e c o n tr o l o f C o u rt.— S u b je c t to th e Super­

in te n d e n c e o f th e H igh C o u rt th e D i s t r i c t Ju dge s h a llh a v e admi­
n i s t r a t i v e c o n tr o l o v e r a l l th e C iv il C o u rts u n d e r t h i s A ct

w ith in th e lo 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

For a d m in is tr a tiv e c o n tr o l o v e r s u b o rd in a te C o u rts, r e f e r ­

ence may be made to C iv il R u les and O rd e rs (Volume 1 ), C hapter

33. T his s e c tio n p la c e s a l l [c] i v i l C o u rts in a d i s t r i c t u n d er

a d rh in is tra tiv e c o n tr o l o f D i s t r i c t Ju d g e , w ith in th e lo c a l
lim its o f h is j u r i s d i c t i o n .


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event o f th e d e a th , r e s ig n a tio n o r th e rem oval o f th e D i s t r i c t

Judge, o r o f h is b e in g in c a p a c ita te d by i l l n e s s o r o th e rw is e

fo r th e p erfo rm an ce o f h i s d u t i e s , o r o f h i s absence from th e

p lac e a t w hich h is C o u rts i s h e ld , th e A d d itio n a l J u d g e /, o r
i f an A d d itio n a l Ju d g e i s n o t p r e s e n t a t t h a t p la c e , th e s e n io r
S u b o rd in ate Ju d g e p r e s e n t t h e r e a t , s h a l l , w ith o u t r e lin q u is h in g

h is o rd in a ry d u t i e s , assum e c h a rg e o f th e d u tie s o f t h e D i s t r i c t
Judge, and s h a l l c o n tin u e i n c h a rg e th e r e o f y n t i l th e o f f i c e

i s resum ed.

(2) W hile 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 itio n a l Ju d g e o r S u b o rd in a te Judge a s th e c a s e may b e ,

; • may, s u b je c t to any r u l e s w hich th e H igh C o u rt may make in t h i s

b e h a lf, e x e r c is e any o f th e pow ers o f th e D i s t r i c t Judge

NOTES

gr,.-
The s e n io r S u b o rd in a te Ju d g e , w ith o u t r e lin q u is h in g h is

o rd in a ry d u t ie s , may so assum e tem p o rary c h arg e o f th e d u tie s
o f th e D i s t r i c t Ju d g e s u b je c t how ever. to any r u l e s w hich th e
High C o u rt may make to e x e r c is e any o f th e _ pow ers o f th e D is­
t t r i c t Ju d g e . T here b e in g no S u b o rd in a te Judge i n Assam, th e " - - _Z Z '' i p '_

e x c lu siv e pow er o f a d i s t r i c t Ju dge co n n o t. be assum ed by o th e rs

11. T ra n s fe r o f p ro c e e d in g s on v a c a tio n o f o f f i c e o f

S u b o rd in ate J u d g e s .— (1 ) In th e e v e n t o f th e d e a th , r e s ig n a tio n
o r rem oval o f a S u b o rd in a te Ju d g e , o r o f h i s b e in g in c a p a c ita te d
by i l l n e s s o r o th e rw is e a k f o r th e p e rfo rm an c e o f has d u t ie s , o r
o f h is ab sen ce from th e p&ace a t w hich X h i s C ourt i s h e ld , th e
D is 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 th e p ro c e e d in g s pen­

ding in th e c o u r t o f th e S u b o rd in a te Ju dgeding in th e c o u r t o f th e S u b o rd in a te Ju d g e , e i t h e r to h i s own

C ourt o r to any C o u rt u n d e r h i s a d m in is tr a tiv e c o n tr o l com p eten t _

to d isp o se o f them .

(2) P ro c e e d in g s tr a n s f e r r e d u n d e r s u b - s e c tio n (1) s h a ll be

d isp o se d o f a s i f th e y have been i n s t i t u t e d in th e C ourt to j
w hich th ey a re so tr a n s f e r r e d . j

I

(3) P ro v id ed t h a t th 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 j

C o u rt o f the S u b o rd in a te Ju d ge o r h i s s u c c e s s o rs any p ro c e e d in g s
tr a n s f e r r e d u n d er s u b - s e c tio n (1) to h is own C o u rt o r any o th e r
C ourt.

(4) For th e p u rp o se s o f p ro c e e d in g s w hich a re n o t pending

in th e c o u rt o f th e S u b o rd in a te Judge on th e o c c u rre n c e o f any      -
ev en t r e f e r r e d to in s u b - s e c tio n ( 1 ) , and w ith r e s p e c t to w hich
th 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 , th e D i s t r i c t Judge may
e x e rc is e a l l o r any o f th e j u r i s d i c t i o n o f t h a t C o u rt.

NOTES

In absence o f A s s is ta n t D i s t r i c t Ju d g e , th e D i s t r i c t Judge

i s com petent to h e re ^ a n a p p ea l from th e o rd e r o r d e c re e of a^

M unsif. /~ M an g ilal A garw alla v . Ja m u n a la l A g arw alla, AIR-. 19.71

Assam and N agaland 122_J7.b


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by th e A d a p ta tio n o f Laws O rd e r, 19 37_/.

1 3 . Power to f i x l o c a l l im i t s o f j u r i s d i c t i o n o f C o u r ts .- "

(1) The S t a t e Governm 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 tte , f i x and a l t e r th e lo c a l l im 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 rt u n d er t h i s A ct.

(2) I f th e same lo 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 rd in a te Ju d ges o r two o r more M u n s iffs , th e D i s t r i c t
Judge may a s s ig n to ea ch o f them such 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 rd in a te Judge o r M u n siff as th e c a s e may b e , a s sub­
j e c t to u iy g e n e r a l o r s p e c ia l o r d e r s o f th e H igh C o u rt, / he

th in k s f i t .

(3) When c i v i l b u s in e s s a r is in g in any l o c a l a re a i s a s s i ­

gned by th e D i s t r i c t Judge under s u b - s e c tio n ( 2 ) , to one o r two
o r more S u b o rd in a te Ju d ges o r to one o r two o r more M u n siffs, a
d e c re e o r o rd e r p a sse d by th e S u b o rd in a te Judge o r M unsif s h a ll

n o t be in v a li d by re a so n o n ly o f th e c a s e in w hich i t was made
h a vin g a r is e n w h o lly o r in p a r t in a p la c e beyond th e lo c a l

a re a i f .th a t jssb p la c e i s w ith in th e lo c a l li m i t s f ix e d by th e
S ta te Governm ent by S u b -s e c tio n ( 1 ) .

(4 ) The Judge o f a C o u rt o f Sm all C au ses a p p o in te d to be

aJJ^so S u b o rd in a te Judge o r M u n siff, as th e c a s e may b e , w ith in
th e m eaning o f thJ s s e c t io n .

(5) T he p r e s e n t l o c a l l im i t s o f th e j u r is d ic / t i o n o f

e v e ry C i v i l C o u rt under t h i s A ct s h a ll be deemed t o have been

f ix e d under t h i s s e c t io n .

NOTES

An o rd e r un der S e c tio n 13 (2) d o es n o t a f f e c t a t r a n s fe r ‘

o f j u r i s d i c t i o n , b e ca u se i t m erely d i s t r i b u t e s , as a m a tte r o f

a d m in is tr a tiv e co n v e n ie n ce and w ith r e fe r e n c e to c e r t a in lo c a l
a r e a s , th e c i v i l b u s in e s s am ongest two o r more .C ourts each o f

w hich h a s j u r i s d i c t i o n o v e r th e w hole a r e a . But where / th e

S ta te Governm ent h as c o n fe r r e d on him a p a r t ic u la r ju r is d ic t io n )
th a t can n o t be d iv e s t e d by D i s t r i c t Ju d ge.

The D i s t r i c t Judge ca n n o t ta k e away th e ju r is d ic t i o n o f a

C ourt to e x e c u te a d e c re e p a sse d by i t , when i t i s the o n ly
C ourt w h ich ca n e x e c u te i t un der th e p r o v is io n s o f S e c tio n 38 |

read w ith S e c tio n 37 o f th e [c] i v i l P ro ced u re Code. Where the
t r i a l Ju d ge who t r i e d th e c a s e a t G a u h a ti, had ju r is d ic t io n to
tr y th e c a s e a t T ezp ur and v ic e v e r s a , th e f a c t th a t he d id not
t r y th e c a s e a t T ezpur b u t a t G au h ati would n o t make th e o rd er
o r judgem ent i n v a li d f o r t h a t re a so n s / AIR 1952 Assam 88__/.

The Supreme C o u rt h e ld in Tr.i.ogt N ath v . In d ian Iron and

S te e l Co. L td . ^f"AIR 1963 SC 2O 5_ /that th e la b o u r C o u rts con ­
s t it u t e d u n d er th e I n d u s t r ia l D isp u te s A ct h ave no com parison

w ith th e c o u r t s c o n s tit u t e d u n der t h is A c t.


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A ct d o es n o t p r e v e n t .a D i s t r i c t Judge from e x e r c is in g h is power .

o f tra n sfer* u n der S e c tio n 1 3 , o r u n der th e p r o v is io n s o f C. P. C.

14 . 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 Governm 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 tte , f i x o r a l t e r th e
p la c e o r p la c e s w h ich any C i v i l C o u rt u n der t h is A ct i s to he held

(2) A l l p la c e s a t w hich any such c o u r ts a r e now h d ld ,s h a ll

be deemed to have been f ix e d u n der t h is s e c t io 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 ic u la r day th a t

d e term in e s th e s i t u a t io n o f th e C o u rt b u t th e s it u a t io n i s de­

term in ed by th e p la c e d o f s i t t i n g a s r e q u ir e d by th e Law f o r
th a t p u rp o se .

1 5 . V a c a tio n s o f C v ’r h s . — (1 ) S u b je c t to such o r d e r s as

nEcayxa may be made by th e S t a t e <^vernm ent th e High C o u rt s h a l l ,
p rep a re a l i s t o f d a ys to b e o b se rv e d in ea ch y e a r a s h o lid 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 ll be p u b lis h e d in th e o f f i c i a l G a z e tte .

' (3) A j u d i c i a l a c t done by a C i v i l C o u rt on a day s p e c i­

f ie d in th e l i s t s h a l l n o t be in v a lid by re a so n o n ly o f i t s
h avin g been done on t h a t d a y .

NOTES

Under th e N e g o tia b le In stru m e n ts A c t, when a day i s deol. an

red to be a h o lid a y , th e H igh C o u rt may a ls o by a n o t if ic a t io n

d e c la r e a h o lid a y f o r th e C i v i l C o u rts su b o rd in a te to i t under

t h is S e c tio n .

3

16 . S e a ls o f C o u r t.— E very C i v i l C o u rt un der t h is A ct !

s h a ll u se a s e a l o f su ch form and d im en sio n s a s a re p r e s c rib e d

by th e S ta te G overnm ent.

1 7 . C o n tin u an ce o f p r o c e e d in g s o f C o u rts c e a s in g to have

? // j u r is d ic t i o n . — (1) Where any [c] i v i l C o u rt un der t h is A ct has /
fo r any c a u se c e a se d to have j u r i s d i c t i o n w ith r e s p e c t to any
c a s e , any p ro c e e d in g in r e la t i o n to t h a t c a s e w hich, i f th a t
C ou rt have n o t c e a s e d to have j u r i s d i c t i o n , m ight have been ,

had th e c a s e th e r e in may be had in th e c o u r t to v h ic h th e b u s i­
n ess o f th e fo rm er C o u rt h as been t r a n s fe r r e d .

(2) N o th in g in t h i s s e c t io n a p p lie s to c a s e s from w hich

p r o v is io n i s made in S e c tio n s 36,37 and 114 o f , and R ule 1 o f


-----

o r in any o th e r en actm en t f o r th e tim e b e in g i n f o r c e .

NOTES

Under th e c irc u m s ta n c e s when th e c o u rt w hich p a sse d th e

d e c re e i s a b o lis h e d , i t i s th e c o u r t to w hich i t s b u s in e s s isc
i s tr a n s f e r r e d i s co m p eten t to e x e c u te th e d e c re e .

CHAPTER I I I

ORDINARY JURISDICTION

18. 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 rw is e p ro v id e d by any en actm en t
f o r th e tim e b e in g in f o r c e , th 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 Ju d g e e x te n d s, s u b je c t to th e p ro v is io n s
o f S e c tio n 15 o f th e Code o f C iv il P ro c e d u re , 1908 to a l l
o r i g in a l s u i t s f o r th e tim e b e in g c o g n iz a b le by C iv il C o u rts.

NOTES

The f i g u r e "1908" h a s been in s e r te d by Assam A ct VI o f

1935.

19. E x te n t o f j u r i s d i c t i o n o f M u n slf.— (1 ) Save a s a fo ra a i

and s u b je c t to th e p r o v is io n o f s u b - s e c tio n ( 2 ) , th e ju r is d ic tlo

o f a M unsif e x te n d s to a l l lik e s u i t s o f w hich th e v a lu e does no

exceed jgrreo th o u sa n d ru p e e s.

(2 ) The S ta te G overnm ent may, on th e reconroendation o f th<

High C o u rt, d i r e c t , by n o tif ic a tio n in '/V n e o f f i c i a l G a z e tte w ith

r e s p e c t to any M unsif named th e r e in t h a t h i s j u r i s d i c t i o n s h a ll
ex ten d to a l l lik e s u i t s o f such v a lu e n o t e x c e e d in g lf^ v e thou­
sand ru p e e s a s may be s p e c if ie d i n th e n o t i f i c a t i o n _s ' ^ ~_

_P ro vid ed t h a t th e S ta te G overnm ent may, by n o t if i c a t io n in_

th e o f f i c i a l G a z e tte , d e le g a te to th e High C o u rt i t s pow ers unde
t h i s S e c tio n .

NOTES

The s u b -c la u s e (b ) in s u b - s e c tio n (2) h a s been d e le te d by

Assam A ct IX o f 1965 and by th e same Assam Amendment A ct, Sub­
c la u s e (a) h a s been m erged in s u b - s e c tio n (2) and f o r th e words

"one th o u san d " o c c u rin g in s u b - s e c tio n (1) th e w ords "th~ee

th o u san d " h a s been s u b s titu te d and in s u b -s e c tio n (2) f o r th e

w ords "two th o u sa n d ", th e words " f iv e th o u san d " have been

s u b s titu te d .


-----

fo rc e , an a p p e a l from a d e c re 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 itio n a l Judge s h a l l l i e to th e H igh C o u rt.

(2) An a p p e a l s h a l l n o t l i e to th e High C o u rt from a

d ecree o r o r d e r o f an A d d itio n a l Ju d g e i n any c a se in w hich i f
th e d e c re e o r o r d e r h a s been made by th e D i s t r i c t Ju d g e , an
ap p eal w ould n o t l i e to t h a t C o u rt.

NOTES

T h is s e c tio n d o e s n o t g iv e r i g h t o f ap p eal from e v ery o r ­

d e r o f a d i s t r i c t Ju d g e to th e High C o u rt. I t o n ly d e a ls w ith
th e form o f a p p e a l.

In Assam th e r e i s no A d d itio n a l Ju d g e a t p r e s e n t.

21. A ppeals from S u b o rd in a te Ju d g es and M u n sifs.— (l)S a v e

a3 a f o r e s a id , an a p p e a l from a d e c re e o r o r d e r o f a S u b o rd in a te

Judge s h a l l l i e —

(a) to th e D i s t r i c t Ju d g e w here th e v a lu e o f th e

o r i g i n a l s u i t in w hich o r in any p ro c e e d in g a r is in g o u t o/
w hich th e d e c re e o r o rd e r was made d id n o t exceed seven

th o u san d ru p e e s .

(b ) to th e H igh C o u rt in any o th e r c a s e .

(2) Save as a f o r e s a id , an a p p e a l from a d e c re e o r an orde

o f a M unsif s h a l l l i e to th e D i s t r i c t Ju d g e.

(3 ) W here th e f u n c tio n o f r e c e iv in g any a p p e a ls w hich lie

to th e D i s t r i c t Ju d g e u n d er s u b -s e c tio n (1) o r s u b -s e c tio n (2)

has been a s s ig n e d to an A d d itio n a l Ju d g e , th e a p p e a ls may be px
f e rre d to th e A d d itio n a l Ju d g e .

(4) The H igh C ourt may, w ith th e p re v io u s s a n c tio n o f the

S ta te G overnm ent d i r e c t , 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 tt
t h a t a p p e a ls ly in g in th e D i s t r i c t Ju dge u n d er S u b -se c tio n (2)
from a l l o r any o f th e d e c re e s o r o rd e rs 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 rt o f such S u b o rd in a te Ju d g e a s may be men­

tio n e d in 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 thereupon be

p r e f e r r e d a c c o rd in g ly .

NOTES

In c la u s e (a) o f s u b -s e c tio n ( 1 ) , f o r th e w ords " fiv e

thousand ru p e e s " , th e w ords "seven th o u san d ru p ee s" have been

s u b s titu te d by Assam A ct IX o f 1965, and th e s e p ro v is io n s shal
apply ir r e s p e c t i v e o f th e f a c t t h a t s u i t s , p ro c e e d in g s ,d e c re e s

o r o rd e rs o u t o f w hich th e a p p e a ls r e f e r r e d to th e r e in a r is 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.

Under S e c tio n 5 (2) o f th e s a id Assam Amendment A ct, not

w ith sta n d in g a n y th in g to th e c o n tra ry c o n ta in e d in th e L im itat

A ct, 1963, an a p p e a l from a d e c re e o r o r d e r made b e fo re th e
commencement o f t h i s Amendment A ct, w hich b u t f o r th e p ro v is i


-----

N othing in t h i s Amendment A ct s h a l l be deemed to a f f e c t any
a p p ea l i n s t i t u t e d p r i o r to th e commencement o f such A ct,

I t i s t r u e t h a t an a p p e a l from an o r i g i n a l o rd e r o r d e c re e

o f the C o u rt o f M unsif s h a l l l i e to th e A s s is ta n t D i s t r i c t Judge

even th e n on th e o c cu ren c e o f an e v e n t u n d e r S e c tio n 11(4) o f
th e A ct, a D i s t r i c t Ju d g e may e x e r c is 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 rt o f A s s is ta n t D i s t r i c t Ju d g e . /M a b g ila l, A garw alla
v . Ja m u n a la l A ra rw a lla , AIR 1971 Assam and N agaland 122J *

CHAPTER IV

SPECIAL JURISDICTION

22. Power to 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 sifs.— (1 ) A D i s t r i c t Ju dge 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 er h i s a d m in is tr a tiv e c o n tr o l any a p p e a ls p ending

b e fo re him from th e d e c re e s o r o r d e r s o f M u n siffs.

(2 ) The D i s t r i c t Ju d g e may w ithdraw any a p p ea l 50 tr 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 lf o r t r a n s f e r i t
to a C o u rt u n d er / h is a d m in is tr a tiv e c o n tr o l com petent to

d is p o s e o f i t .

(3 ) A p p eals tr a n s f e r r e d u n d er t h i s s e c tio n s h a ll ?oe d isp o

sed o f s u b je c t to th e r u le a p p lic a b le to l ik e a p p e a ls when

d isp o se d o f by th e D i s t r i c t Ju d g e .

NOTES

A D i s t r i c t Ju d g e , to whom an a p p ea l i s p r e f e r r e d un d er

S e c tio n 21 a g a in s t an o rd e r o f th e M unsif, h a s pow er to tra n sfe
th e a p p e a l to a S u b o rd in a te Ju dge and th e l a t t e r h a s th e J u r i s ­

d ic tio n to d is p o s e o f th e a p p e a l.

23* E x e rc is e by S u b o rd in a te Ju 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 rt in c e r t a i n p ro c e e d in g s . — (1) The High C o u rt
may, by g e n e ra l o r s p e c ia l o r d e r , a u th o r iz e an< S u b o rd in a te Jud(
o r M unsif to ta k e c o g n iz an c e o f , o r any D i s t r i c t Judge to tr a n s

f e r to a S u b o rd in a te Ju d g e o r M in sif u n d e r h i s a d m in is tra tiv e
c o n tr o l, any o f th e p ro c e e d in g s n e x t h e r e i n a f t e r m entioned o r a
c la s s o f th o s e p ro c e e d in g s s p e c if ie d in th e o r d e r .

(2) The p ro c e e d in g s r e f e r r e d to in s u b -s e c tio n (1) a re th

fo llo w in g nam ely :

(a ) P ro c ee d in g s u n d e r B engal R e g u la tio n 5, 1799 (to

lim it th e in te r f e r e n c e o f th e Z i l l a and C ity C ourts o f

Diwani A d a la t in th e e x e c u tio n o f w i l ls and ad m in istrate!

to th e e s t a t e s o f p e rs o n s d y in g i n t e s t a t e ) .

###### ************
Z” (b)
###### ************


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and

(e ) R e feren c e s by C o lle c to r s u n d e r p a ra g ra p h 5 o f

th e T h ird S ch ed u le to th e Code o f C iv il P ro c e d u re ; 1908.

(3) The D i s t r i c t Ju d g e may w ithdraw any such p ro 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 tr a n s f e r r e d t o , a S u b o rd in a te Judge

o r M u n sif, and may e i t h e r h im s e lf d is p o s e o f them o r t r a n s f e r

them to a Courjt u n d er h i s a d m in is tr a tiv e c o n tr o l com p eten t to

d is p o s e o f them .

NOTES

T h is s e c tio n h as been amended by Assam A ct VT o f 1935.

24. D isp o s a l o f p ro c e e d in g s r e f e r r e d to in l a s t f o r e ­

g o in g s e c t i o n .— (1) P ro c ee d in g s ta k e n co g n izan ce o f by, o r
t r a n s f e r r e d t o , a S u b o rd in a te Judge o f M unsif, a s th e c a se may
b e , u n d e r th e l a s t fo re g o in g s e c tio n s h a l l be d isp o se d o f by
him s u b je c t to th e r u l e s a p p lic a b le 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 th 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 in

any su ch p ro c e e d in g s s h a l l l i e to th e D i s t r i c t Judge.

(2) An a p p e a l from th e o r d e r o f th e D i s t r i c t Judge on

th e a p p eal from th e o rd e r o f a M unsif u n d er t h i s s e c tio n s h a ll
l i e to th e H igh C o u rt i f a f u r t h e r a p p ea l from th e o rd e r o f th

D i s t r i c t .judge i s allow ed by th e law f o r th e tim e b e in g in

f o rc e .

25. Power to in v e s t S u b o rd in a te Ju d g e s and M unsifs w ith

Sm all C auses C o u rt j u r i s d i c t i o n . — The S ta te Government 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 tte , c o n fe r, w ith such lo c a l

lim i ts a s i t th in k s f i t upon any S u b o rd in a te Judge o r M unsif
th e j u r i s d i c t i o n o f a Ju d g e o f a C o u rt o f Sm all C auses u n d e r
th e P r o v in c ia l Sm all C ause C o u rts A ct, 1887 f o r th e t r i a l o f
s u i t s c o g n iz a b le by su ch C o u rts up to su ch v a lu e n o t exceeding
seven hundred and f i f t y ru p e e s in th e c a se o f a S u b o rd in a te

Judge o r th r e e hundred ru p e e s in th e c a s e o f a M unsif a s i t

th in k s f i t , and may w ith d raw any j u r i s d i c t i o n so c o n fe rre d :

V :

P ro v id e d t h a t th e S ta te Governm ent may, by n o t if i c a t io n

in th e o f f i c i a l G a z e tte d e le g a te to th e High C o u rt i t s pow ers
under t h i s s e c tio n .

NOTES

S e c tio n 25 i s amended by Assam A ct VI o f 1935.

^""C hapters V and VI c o n ta in in g S e c tio n s 26 to 29 and

30 to 35 h av e been re p e a le d _J-_


-----

```
                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

```

-----

The p r e s id in g o f f i c e r o f a C iv il C o u rt s h a l l n o t f r y any su K
o r o th e r p ro c e e d in g to w hich he i s a p a r ty o r i n w hich h e i s \
p e rs o n n a lly i n t e r e s t e d .

(2) The p r e s id in g o f f i c e r o f an A p p e lla te C iv il C o u rt

u n d er 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 in s t a d e c re e o r
o rd e r p a sse d by h im s e lf i n a n o th e r c a p a c ity .

(3 ) When any such 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 ­

rre d to i n s u b - s e c tio n (1) o r s u b - s e c tio n ( 2 ), comes b e fo re
any such o f f i c e r, th e o f f i c e r s h a ll f o r th w ith tr a n s m it th e
re c o rd o f th e c a s e to th e C ourt to w h ich he i s im m e d ia te ly

s u b o rd in a te w ith a r e p o r t o f th e c irc u m s ta n c e s a tte n d in g th e

r e f e r e n c e .

(4 ) The S u p e rio r C o u rt s h a l l th e re u p o n X d is p o s e o f th e

c a se u n d e r S e c tio n 24 o f th e Code o f [c] i v i l P ro c e d u re,1908.

(5) N othing i n t h i s s e c tio n s h a l l be deem ed to a f f e c t th


The p r e s id in g o f f i c e r o f a C iv il C o u rt s h a l l n o t f r y any su K
o r o th e r p ro c e e d in g to w hich he i s a p a r ty o r i n w hich h e i s \
p e rs o n n a lly i n t e r e s t e d .

(2) The p r e s id in g o f f i c e r o f an A p p e lla te C iv il C o u rt

u n d er 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 in s t a d e c re e o r
o rd e r p a sse d by h im s e lf i n a n o th e r c a p a c ity .

(3 ) When any such 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 ­

rre d to i n s u b - s e c tio n (1) o r s u b - s e c tio n ( 2 ) , comes b e fo re
any such o f f i c e r , th e o f f i c e r s h a ll f o r th w ith tr a n s m it th e
re c o rd o f th e c a s e to th e C ourt to w h ich he i s im m e d ia te ly

s u b o rd in a te w ith a r e p o r t o f th e c irc u m s ta n c e s a tte n d in g th e

r e f e r e n c e .

(4 ) The S u p e rio r C o u rt s h a l l th e re u p o n X d is p o s e o f th e

c a se u n d e r S e c tio n 24 o f th e Code o f [c] i v i l P ro c e d u re ,1908.

(5) N othing i n t h i s s e c tio n s h a l l be deem ed to a f f e c t th

e x tra o rd in a ry 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 th e H igh C o u rt.

NOTES

T h is s e c tio n h a s been amended by Assam A ct VI o f 1935.

39. S u b o rd in a tio n o f C o u rts to D i s t r i c t C o u rt.— For the'

p u rp o se o f th e l a s t fo re g o in g s e c tio n , th e p r e s id in g o f f i c e r o

a c o u rt s u b j e c t .t o th e a d m in is tr a tiv e c o n tr o l o f th e D is tr ic t!
Judge s h a l l be deemed to b e im m ed iately s u b o rd in a te to th e
C ourt o f th e D i s t r i c t Ju d g e , and f o r th e p u rp o se o f th e C o d e.(

C iv il P ro c e d u re , 1908 th e C o u rt o f such 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 to t h a t o f th e C o u rt p f th e j
D i s t r i c t Ju d g e . i

_•_ _*_ _t ._

40. A p p lic a tio n o f A ct to P r o v in c ia l C o u rts o f S n a il

C a u se s.— (1) T h is s e c tio n , and S e c tio n s 1 5 ,3 1 ,3 7 ,3 8 and 39
ap p ly to th e C o u rt o f Sm all C auses c o n s titu te d u n d e r th e
P r o v in c ia l C auses C o u rts A ct, 1887.

(2) Save a s p ro v id e d by t h i s A c t, th e o th e r s e c tio n s

t h i s A ct do n o t a p p ly to th o s e C o u rts.


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