15. [ Power to distribute business. [Substituted by M.P. Act No. 5 of 1979.]
- [(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (V of 1908), or the law relating to Courts of Small Causes, for the time being in force in any area, or in any other provisions contained in this Act, the District Judge may, by order in writing, direct that any civil business cognizable by his Court or by other Civil Courts established under Section 5, in his civil district, shall be distributed amongst himself and Additional Judges, if any, of his Court, as also amongst other Courts under his control and amongst Additional Judges of such other Courts 'inter se' in such manner as he deems fit :Provided that, except insofar as it may affect the exclusive jurisdiction of a Court of Small Causes, or of a Court invested with the jurisdiction of a Court of Small Causes, a direction given under this section shall not empower any Court to exercise powers or deal with business beyond the limits of its pecuniary and notified territorial jurisdiction.](2)[ Any judicial act in any suit, appeal or proceeding, instituted in a Court of competent jurisdiction, shall not be invalid only by reason of the fact that such institution was not in accordance with the order of distribution of business referred to in sub-section (1).] [Substituted by M.P. Act No. 17 of 1982 (w.e.f. 15.4.1983).](3)Whenever, it appears to any Court, as is referred to in sub-section (2) that institution of any suit, appeal or proceeding, pending before it, was not in conformity with the order of distribution of business made under sub-section (1), it shall submit the record of such suit, appeal or proceeding, as the case may be, to the District Judge for appropriate orders, and he District Judge in relation thereto may pass orders either transferring the concerned record to proper Court as per order of distribution of business or otherwise to any other Court of competent jurisdiction.(4)In distribution of civil business under sub-section (1), the District Judge shall be guided by such principles as the High Court may, by rules, prescribe.]
