LexThe Bengal, Agra and Assam Civil Court Act, 1887
Assam · state statute
Open in Lexace · Ask the AI about this act22 23 24 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 . 3 5 6 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 if . f A p p e a l fr o 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 fro 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 C o tL 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 t h 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 if s . R ep e a 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 I 37. C e r ta in d e c i s i o n s to be a c c o rd in g to n a t i v e law . 38. J u d g e s n o t t o 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 . 39 4 0 w hich \ S u b o r d in a tio n o f C o u rts to D i s t r i c t C o u rt. A p p lic a tio n o f A ct to P ro v i n c i a l C o u rts o f S m all C a u se s. 1 1 1 th M arch, 1887 J An th e A c t t o c o n s o l i d a t e and amend t h e law r e l a t i n g to C i v i l C o u rts i n B e n g a l, th e N o r th - w e s te r n 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 t o C i v i l C o u rts and Assam ; t o c o n s o l i d a t e and amend t h e law B e n g a l, th e N o rth -W c s te m P ro v in c e s I t i s h e re b y e n a c te d . a s f o llo w s : CHAPTER I P r e lim 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 t h 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 rts 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 t h 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 t h e L ie u te n a n t- g o v e rn o r o f t h e N o rth -W e s te rn P r o v in c e s and th e 'T h ief Com missio 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 t h 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 i n 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. 1 I v (3 ) I t s h a l l come i n t o f o r c e on t h e f i r s t day o f J u l y , 1887. • t o 2. R e p e a 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 o w ers c o n f e r r e d , a' l i s t s p u b lis h e d u n d e r th e B en g al C i v i l C o u rts A c t , 1371, e n a c tm e n t th e r e 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 h a v e b e en 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 e e n r e s p e c t i v e l y c o n s t i t u t e d , m ade, con. 0 and p u b lis 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 rts 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 t o 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 e e n e x te n d e d to Assam by Assam A ct 1947. / ■ a ? I 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 rts 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 llo w in g c l a s s e s C i v il C o u rts u n d e r t h i s A c t, nam ely : D i s t r i c t J u 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 t h e C o u rt C o u rt C o u rt C o u rt o f o f o f o f tiie th e th e th e NOTES (3 ) o f t h e s e c t i o n " t h e w o rd s " S u b o rd in a te Ju d g e " h ave " 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 1 9 6 7 . * 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 ts , th e y do n o t r e f e r t o 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 rts w hich a r e known a s C i v i l C o u rts 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 sif, 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 J u 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 sif, A s s i s t a n t D i s t r i c t J u d g e o r a s s u c h . I t i s o p en f o r t h e H igh C o u rt and i n some c a s e s t o th e L o c a l G o v ern m en t, f o r m ere a d m i n i s t r a t i v e p u r p 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 is 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 b e o n e o r m ore M u n sifs 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 lth 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 t h e d i s t r i c t . S e c tio n 3 l a y s down c l a s s e s o f C i v i l C o u rts and a s s u c h t h e R e g i s t r a r o f a H igh C o u rt 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 . L akshm i D e v i, AIR 19 75 P a t 138. I ft • < 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 rt o f 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 i s v a c a n t by re a s o n o f t h e d e a t h , 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 h en ev er 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 i o n s o f s e c t i o n 4 , th e S t a t e G o v ern m en t, o r a s t h e c a s e may b e , t h e H igh C o u rt may f i l l up t h e v a c a n c y 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 r d in a te J u d g e . 4 (2 ) 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 c o n s tr 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 tin g a D i s t r i c t J u d g e o r S u b o r- d i n a t e Ju d g e to d i s c h a r g e f o r s u c h p e r i o d a s i t t h i n k s f i t , i n ' a d d itio n to th e f u n c t i o n s d e v o lv in g on him a s su c h D i s t r i c t Ju d g e , o r S u b o r d in a te J u d g e , a l l o r any o f th e f u n c t i o 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 t h 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 rt o f A d d itio n a l D i s t r i c t J u d g e . The A d d itio n a l D i s t r i c t J u 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 tio 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 t o be a d i v i s i o n C o u rt 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 r a te an d d i s t r i c t C o u rt o f i t s own. /""S a g a r C houdhury v . N a lein C hou d h u ry , AIR 1970 Assam and N a g ala n 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 rt 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 e p e a le d by th e A d a p ta tio n o f Laws O rd e r, 19 37_7. 8. A d d itio n a l J u d g e s .— (1) When t h e b u s in e s s p e n d in g b e f o 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 itio n a l J u d g e s f o r i t s sp e ed 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 lte d w ith t h e H igh C o u r t, a p p o in t su c h A d d itio 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 itio n a l J u d g e s so a p p o in te d s h a l l d is 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 i o n s th e y s h a l l e x e r c i s e th e same p o w e rs a s th e D i s t r i c t J u 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 o u ri B ose, AIR 1975 P a t 1 3 1 J7 . T h e re i s no A d d itio n a l J u d g e i n Assam. 9 . A d m in is tr a tiv 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 S uper in te n d e n c e o f t h e H igh C o u rt t h e D i s t r i c t J u d g e s h a llh 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 rts u n d e r t h i s A ct w ith 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 is tr a tiv 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 t h 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 e n t o f th e d e a t h , r e s i g n a t i o n o r t h e re m 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 rts i s h e l d , th e A d d i t io n a l J u d g e / , o r i f an A d d itio 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 i o 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 ith 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 , assu m e c h a r g 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 Ju d g e, and s h a l l c o n tin 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 r g e o f t h e o f f i c e o f th e D i s t r i c t J u d g e , th e A d d itio n a l J u d g e o r S u b o r d in a te J u d g e a s t h e c a s e may b e , may, s u b j e c t t o an y r u l e s w hich t h e H igh C o u rt may make i n t h i s b e h a lf , e x e r c i s e an y o f th e p o w e rs 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 ith 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 , may so assum e te m p o ra ry c h a rg e o f t h 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 e v er. High C o u rt 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 J u d g e c o n n o t t o any r u l e s w h ic h th e _ p o w 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 J u d g e i n Assam , th e . b e assum ed by o t h e r s d in g i n t h e c o u r t o f t h e S u b o r d in a te J u 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 t h e d e a t h , r e s i g n a t i o n o r rem o v al 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 t h 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 s e 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 J u d g e m ay, t r a n s f e r a l l o r any o f t h e p r o c e e d in g s pen d in g i n t h e c o u r t o f t h e S u b o r d in a te J u d g e , e i t h e r t o h i s own C o u rt o r t o any C o u rt 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 is p o s e o f them . (2 ) P r o 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 a v 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 J u 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 J u 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 ) t o h i s own C o u rt o r any o t h e r C o u rt. (4 ) F o r t h e p u r p o s e s o f p r o c e e d in g s w h ic h a r e n o t p e n d in g i n th e c o u r t o f t h e S u b o r d in a te Ju d g e on t h e o c c u r r e 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 ) , an d w ith 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 l u s i v 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 is 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 rt. 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 c o m p eten t t o h e re ^ a n a p p e a l from t h e o r d e r o r d e c r e e o f a^ Assam and N agaland 122_J7. j j I j • : 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 T 1 1 2 . T em p o rary 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 tio 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 t h 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 f s , t h e D i s t r i c t Jud ge 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 i z 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 iff 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 gn ed by th e D i s t r i c t J u d ge u n d er s u b - s e c t i o n ( 2 ) , to on e 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 o n 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 g e 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 t h e c a s e i n w h ic h 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 b eyo n 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 t h 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 overn m en t 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 it h in th e m ean in g 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 e r 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 e r 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 i n i s t r a t i v 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 u t 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 aw ay 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 t h 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 i o n 37 o f t h e c i v i l P r o c e d u r e C o d e. 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 z p 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 z p 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 i n T r.i.o gt N ath v . In d ia n Iro n and S t e e l C o. L td . ^f"AIR 196 3 SC 2 O 5 _ /th a t th e la b o u r C o u r ts c o 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 . I 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 han dra / 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 p ow er . o f tr a n s fe r * u n d e r S e c t i o 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 i n 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 an y C i v i l C o u r t 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 e en 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 a y 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 t h 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 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 l l be p u b lis h e d i n th e o f f i c i a l G a z e t t e . ' (3 ) A j u d i c i a l a c t d on e b y a C i v i l C o u r t on a d a y 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 b e 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 don e on t h a t d a y . NOTES U nder t h e N e g o t ia b le I n s tr u m e n ts A c t , when a d ay i s deol. an re d to b e a h o l i d a y , t h 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 l a 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 t e to i t u n d er t h i s S e c t i o n . 3 1 6 . S e a l s 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 c h 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 o vern 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 ) W here any c i v i l C o u r t u n d e r t h i s A c t h a s / 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 a v e 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 i n may b e 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 r m e r C o u r t h a s b een 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 i o 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 t h 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 ir c u m s ta n c e s when t h e c o u r t w h ic h p a s s e d t h e d e c r e 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 i n 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 r d in a te J u d g e .— 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 , 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 J u d g e o r S u b o r d 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 i o n s o f S e c tio n 15 o f t h e Code o f C i v i l P r o c e d u r e , 1908 t o a l l o r i g i n 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 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 r a 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 u n sif 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 d o es no e x c e e d jg rreo 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 re c 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 tte 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 sa n 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 r o v id e d 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 t h 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 t h e H igh 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 l a u s e (b ) i n s u b - s e c t i o n (2 ) h a s been d e l e 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 e n m erged i n s u b - s e c t i o n (2 ) and f o r t h e words "one th o u s a 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 e en 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 " h a v e b e e n 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 itio 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 t h 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 J u d g e o r an A d d itio 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 rt. (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 rt from a d e c re e o r o r d e r o f an A d d itio n a l J u d g e i n an y c a s e i n w h ich i f th e d e c r e e o r o r d e r h a s b e e n made by t h 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 rt. 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 J u d g e t o th e H igh C o u rt. 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 itio 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 r d in a te J u d g e s and M u n s ifs .— ( 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 r d in a te Ju d g e s h a l l l i e — (a ) t o t h e D i s t r i c t J u d g e w h e re t h e v a lu e o f t h 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 c e e d se v en th o u s a n d r u p e e s . (b ) t o th e H igh C o u rt 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 J u 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 ic h lie to th e D i s t r i c t J u 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 e e n a s s ig n e d t o an A d d itio n a l J u d g e , t h e a p p e a ls may b e px f e r r e d t o t h e A d d it i o n a l J u d g e . (4 ) The H ig h C o u rt m ay, w ith th e p r e v io u s s a n c tio n o f th e 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 tt t h a t a p p e a ls l y i n g i n t h e D i s t r i c t J u d g e u n d e r S u b - s e c tio 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 t o t h e C o u rt o f su c h S u b o r d in a te J u d g e a s may b e men tio n e d i n th e n o t i f i c a t i o n , and t h 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 i n g l y . 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 i v e th o u sa n d r u p e e s " , t h e w ords "se v e n 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 1 9 6 5 , and t h e s e p r o v i s i o n s shal a p 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 ic h t h 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 w e i n s t i t u t e d o r made p r i o r t o th e commencement o f Assam Amendment A ct IX o f 1965. U nder S e c tio n 5 (2 ) o f t h e s a i d Assam Amendment A c t, n o t w ith s ta n d in g a n y th in g to t h e c o n tr a r y c o n ta in e d i n t h e L im ita t A ct, 1 9 63, 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 f o r e t h e commencement o f t h i s Amendment A c t, w h ic h b u t f o r th e p r o v i s i o f su c h A c t, w ould h a v 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 i n e t y d a y s from t h e d a t e o f s u 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 ith in th e s a i d p e r i o 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 comm encem ent 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 rt o f M u n sif 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 tio 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 t h e C o u rt 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 il a l , A g a rw a lla v . J a m u n a la l A r a r w a lla , AIR 1971 Assam and N ag alan d 122 J * CHAPTER IV SPECIAL JURISDICTION 22. Pow er t o t r a n s f e r t o S u b o r d 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 J u d g e may t r a n s f e r to any S u b o rd in a te J u 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 fro m t h e d e c r e e s o r o r d e r s o f M u n s iffs . (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 lf o r t r a n s f e r i t to a C o u rt 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 is 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 se d o f s u b j e c t t o t h 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 tio n 21 a g a i n s t an o r d e r o f t h e M u n sif, h a s pow er t o tr a n s fe th e a p p e a l t o a S u b o r d in a te J u d g e an d 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 rt i n c e r t a i n p r o c e e d in g s . — (1 ) The H igh C o u rt 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 a n < 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 J u d g e o r M in s if 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 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 e n tio n e d 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 ti o n (1 ) a r e th fo llo w in g n am ely : ( a ) P ro c e e d in g s u n d e r B e n g al R e g u la tio 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 tio 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 ic h c a n n o t b e 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 r a p h 5 o f th e T h ir d S c h e d u le to th e Code o f C i v i l P r o c e d u r e ; 1908. (3 ) T he D i s t r i c t J u d g e may w ith d ra w any su c h 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 lf d is p o s e o f them o r t r a n s f e r them t o a C ourjt 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 e e n am ended 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 t o 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 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 r d in a te Ju d g e o f M u n sif, 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 b e 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 r o 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 J u 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 J u d g e . (2 ) An a p p e a l from t h 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 t h e o r d e r o f a M u n sif 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 rt 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 t h e tim e b e in g i n f o r c e . 25. Pow er t o i n v e s t S u b o r d in a te J u d g e s and M u n s ifs w ith S m all C a u se s C o u rt j u r i s d i c t i o n . — 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 t h 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 rt o f S m all C au ses u n d e r t h e P r o v i n c i a l S m all C au se C o u rts 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 s u c h C o u rts up t o s u c h v a lu e n o t e x c e e d in g se v e n h u n d re d and f i f t y r u p e e s i n t h 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 r u p e e s i n th e c a s e o f a M unsif a s i t t h i n 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 tte d e l e g a t e t o t h e H igh C o u rt 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 tio n 25 i s am ended by Assam A c t VI o f 1935. ^""C h ap ters V and VI c o n ta in i n g S e c ti o n s 26 to 29 and 30 t o 35 h a v e b e e n r e p e a l e d J- CHAPTER SUPPLEMENTAL 3 6 . 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. 3 7. Certain decisions to be under Native Law.— ( l ) , W h e i * 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 t he 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 rt s h a l l n o t f r y any s u K o r o t h e r p r o c e e d in g t o w h ic h 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 lly i n t e r e s t e d . (2 ) T he p r e s i d i n g o f f i c e r o f a n A p p e lla te C i v i l C o u rt u n d e r t h i s A c t, s h a l l n o t t r y a n 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 i m s e l f i n a n o th e r c a p a c i t y . (3 ) When any su c h s u i t , p r o 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 t o 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 ) , com es 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 t h 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 ith a r e p o r t o f th e c ir 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 ) T he S u p e r io 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 t h e c a s e u n d e r S e c tio 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 i n 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 rt. 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 1 935. 39. S u b o r d in a tio n o f C o u rts to D i s t r i c t C o u r t .— F o r the' p u rp o s e 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 i n 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 , an d 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 t h e C o u rt o f su c h an o f f i c e r s h a l l be ! deemed t o b e o f a g r a d e i n f e r i o r t o t h a t o f t h e C o u rt 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 ti o n o f A c t t o P r o v i n c i a l C o u rts 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 ti o n s 1 5 ,3 1 ,3 7 ,3 8 and 39 a p p ly t o th e C o u rt o f S m a ll C a u se s c o n s t i t u t e d u n d e r t h e P r o v i n c i a l C a u se s C o u r ts A c t, 1 8 87. (2 ) S ave a s p r o 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 .