Indian court glossary

The words used every day in Indian courts and chambers, explained plainly for juniors, clerks and clients.

Adjournment

Postponement of a hearing to another date, at a party's request or by the court. Under Order XVII CPC, no more than three adjournments are to be granted to a party in a suit.

Affidavit of service

A sworn statement by the person who served a notice or summons, saying how, when and on whom it was served.

Anticipatory bail

A direction that a person be released on bail if arrested, sought before arrest. Section 482 BNSS (formerly section 438 CrPC).

Board / display board

The screen outside a courtroom showing the item number being heard, used to time an appearance.

Caveat

Notice lodged with a court asking to be heard before any order is passed in a matter the caveator expects to be filed. Section 148A CPC; valid for 90 days.

Cause list

The list of matters to be taken up by each court on a given day, with item numbers. Published daily by every court; supplementary lists add matters.

Certified copy

A copy of a judgment, order or record certified by the court's copying department. The time to obtain one is excluded from limitation under section 12(2) of the Limitation Act.

CNR number

Case Number Record: the 16-character number eCourts gives a case for its whole life, used to look up its status.

Condonation of delay

The court's acceptance of an appeal or application filed after the limitation period, on sufficient cause being shown. Section 5 of the Limitation Act.

Counter affidavit / reply

The response filed by a respondent to a petition or application, setting out the facts and grounds in opposition.

Dasti

Service of a notice or summons by the party itself (by hand) instead of through the court's process server, when the court permits it.

Defect (registry)

An objection raised by the court registry to a filing, such as missing page numbers, an unsigned vakalatnama or an incorrect court fee, which must be cured before the matter is listed.

Ex parte

Proceeding or an order made in the absence of a party who was served but did not appear.

Interim order

A temporary order passed during the pendency of a case, such as a stay or an injunction until the next date.

Item number

A matter's serial number in the day's cause list.

Mentioning

Requesting the court orally, usually at the start of the day, to list or take up an urgent matter.

Next date

The date to which a matter is adjourned, with its purpose: evidence, arguments, orders and so on.

Paper book

The compiled set of pleadings, documents and orders filed in an appeal or petition, with an index and continuous page numbers.

Process fee

The fee paid to the court for issuing summons or notice to the opposite party; non-payment can lead to dismissal for default.

SLP

Special Leave Petition: a petition to the Supreme Court under Article 136 of the Constitution seeking leave to appeal from any judgment or order of a court or tribunal in India.

Substituted service

Service by another method ordered by the court, such as affixture or publication in a newspaper, when ordinary service fails. Order V Rule 20 CPC.

Vakalatnama

The document by which a party authorises an advocate to appear and act for them in a case.