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Bombay Presidency - Act

Bombay Civil Courts Act, 1869

BOMBAY PRESIDENCY
India

Bombay Civil Courts Act, 1869

Act 14 of 1869

Published on 1 January 1869
Commenced on 1 January 1869
[This is the version of this document from 1 January 1869.]
[Note: The original publication document is not available and this content could not be verified.]

Bombay Civil Courts Act, 1869Act No. 14 of 1869

1454.

An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to the District and Subordinate Civil Courts in the Presidency of Bombay.Preamble.- WHEREAS It is expedient to consolidate and amend the law relating to the district and other Subordinate Civil Courts in the Presidency of Bombay. It is hereby enacted as follows :-The Act has been, on and from 1-4-1959, extended to and shall be in force in, that part of the State of Bombay to which immediately before the commencement of the Bombay Civil Courts (Extension and Amendment) Act, 1958 (94 of 1958), it did not apply - Sec section 2 of that Act.This Act is made applicable to and came into force in the Akrani Mahal in the West Khandesh District on and from 12-8-1952 - See Bom. Regn. I of 1952, Section 2.This Act has been adapted by the Government of Gujarat in relation to the State of Gujarat, by Gujarat A.L.O., 1960 [1-5-1960]. The Act, however, shall not be in force in the City of Ahmedabad - See Gujarat Act, 19 of 1961, Section 19 (w.e.f. 4-11-1961).

Part I – Preliminary

1. Short title and extent.-

(1)This Act may be called The Bombay Civil Courts Act, 1869.

(2)It extends to the whole of the [State of Maharashtra] [Substituted for the words "State of Bombay" by Maha. A.L.O., 1960 (1-5-1960).].

Gujarat Amendment.-In its application to the State of Gujarat, in sub-section (2) of section I substitute the words "State of Gujarat" for the words "State of Bombay", Guj. A.L.O. 1960.The Act, however, ceases to apply to the City of Ahmedabad - see Ahmedabad City Courts Act, 1961 (Guj. Act 19 of 1961), Section 19 [w.e.f. 4-11-1961].

2. Repeal of enactments.-

[Repealed by the Repealing Act, 1870 (14 of 1870).]

Part II – Districts And Sadr Stations

3. Alteration and creation of Districts.-

The State Government may, from time to time by a notification in the Official Gazette, alter the limits of existing zilas (which shall hereafter be called districts) and create new districts for the purposes of this Act.

4. Position of sadr station.-

The State Government may also from time to time, by a notification in the Official Gazette, alter the position of the sadr station in any district, and fix the position of the sadr station in any new district.

Part III – District Courts

5. District Judges.-

There shall be in each district a District Court presided over by a Judge to be called the District Judge.

6. Situation of District Court.-

The District Judge shall ordinarily hold the District Court at the sadr station in his district, but may, with the previous sanction of the High Court, hold it elsewhere within the district.

7. Original Jurisdiction of District Court.-

The District Court shall be the principal Court of original civil jurisdiction in the district, within the meaning of the Code of Civil Procedure.

8. Appellate jurisdiction of District Courte.-

Except as provided in sections 16, 17 and 26, the District Court shall be the Court of Appeal from all decrees and orders passed by the subordinate courts from which an appeal lies under any law for the time being in force.

9. Control and inspection of Courts.-

The District Judge shall have general control over all the Civil Courts and their establishments within the district, and it shall be his duty to inspect, or to cause one of his assistants to inspect, the proceedings of all the courts subordinate to him, and to give such directions with respect to matters not provided for by law as he may think necessary. The District Judge shall also refer to the High Court all such matters as appear to him to require that a rule of that Court should be made thereon.

10. Writs and orders.-

The District Judge shall obey all writs, orders or processes issued to him by the High Court, and shall make such returns or reports thereto under his signature and the seal of the Courts as the exigencies of the case require.Reports and returns.- He shall further furnish such reports and returns and copies of proceedings as may be called for by the High Court or the State Government.

11. Seal of District Judge.-

The District Judge shall use a circular seal, two inches in diameter, which shall bear thereon [the Asoka Capital Motif,] [ Substituted for the words "Royal Arms" by Bom. Act 22 of 1949, Section 3.] with the following inscription in English and the principal language of the district :- "District Court of.........

Part IV – [JOINT DISTRICT JUDGES] [Substituted for the words "Joint Judge" by the Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act (27 of 1984), Section 2(b) (27-9-1984).]

12. Power to appoint [Joint District Judges] [Substituted for the words "Joint Judge" by the Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act (27 of 1984), Section 2(b) (27-9-1984).].-

The State Government may appoint in any district a [Joint District Judges] [Substituted for the words "Joint Judge" by the Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act (27 of 1984), Section 2(b) (27-9-1984).] who shall be invested with co-extensive powers and a concurrent jurisdiction with the District Judges, except that he shall not keep a file of civil suits and shall transact such civil business only as he may receive from the District Judge, or as may have been referred to the [Joint District Judges] [Substituted for the words "Joint Judge" by the Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act (27 of 1984), Section 2(b) (27-9-1984).] by order of the High Court.

12A. [ Power to appoint District Judge or [Additional District Judge] [Inserted by Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act (Bom Act 11 of 1942), Section 2.] in one district to be `[Joint District Judge] in another district.-

The State Government may appoint the District Judge or the [Additional District Judge] [Substituted for the words "Assistant Judge" by the Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act (27 of 1984), S.2(a) (27-9-1984).] in any district to be also a [Joint District Judges] [Substituted for the words "Joint Judge" by the Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act (27 of 1984), Section 2(b) (27-9-1984).] in another district. Such [Joint District Judges] [Substituted for the words "Joint Judge" by the Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act (27 of 1984), Section 2(b) (27-9-1984).] may hold his Court and transact civil business at such place or places in either district as he may deem fit.]

13. Enactments applied to [Joint District Judges;] [Substituted for the words "Joint Judge" by the Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act (27 of 1984), Section 2(b) (27-9-1984).] [Joint District Judge's] [Substituted for the words "Joint Judge" by the Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act (27 of 1984), Section 2(b) (27-9-1984).] Seal.-

All Regulations and Acts now or hereafter in force and applying to a District Judge shall be deemed to apply also to the [Joint District Judges] [Substituted for the words "Joint Judge" by the Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act (27 of 1984), Section 2(b) (27-9-1984).]and the seal of the [Joint District Judges] [Substituted for the words "Joint Judge" by the Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act (27 of 1984), Section 2(b) (27-9-1984).] shall be the same as is used by the District Judge.

Part V – [ADDITIONAL DISTRICT JUDGES] [Substituted for the words "Assistant Judge" by the Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act (27 of 1984), S.2(a) (27-9-1984).]

14. Power to appoint [Additional District Judge] [Substituted for the words "Assistant Judge" by the Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act (27 of 1984), S.2(a) (27-9-1984).].-

The State Government may appoint one or more [Additional District Judge] [Substituted for the words "Assistant Judge" by the Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act (27 of 1984), S.2(a) (27-9-1984).] to the District Judge.

15. Situation of [Additional District Judge] [Substituted for the words "Assistant Judge" by the Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act (27 of 1984), S.2(a) (27-9-1984).] Court.-

An [Additional District Judge] [Substituted for the words "Assistant Judge" by the Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act (27 of 1984), S.2(a) (27-9-1984).] shall ordinarily hold his Court at the same place as the District Judge, but he may hold his court elsewhere within the district, whenever the District Judge shall, with the previous sanction of the High Court, direct him so to do.

16. Original jurisdiction of [Additional District Judge] [Substituted for the words "Assistant Judge" by the Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act (27 of 1984), S.2(a) (27-9-1984).].-

The District Judge may refer to any [Additional District Judge] [Substituted for the words "Assistant Judge" by the Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act (27 of 1984), S.2(a) (27-9-1984).] subordinate to him [any original suits and proceedings of a civil nature] [Substituted for the words "original suits of which the subject-matter does not amount to forty thousand rupees in amount or value by" the by the Bom. Civil Courts (Amendment) Act, 1982 (Maha. Act 10 of 1983), Section 2(a) (1-1-1984).], [applications or references under Special Acts,] [Inserted by Bom Act 1 of 1900. Section 2.] and miscellaneous applications. [* * *] [ Words "not being of the nature of appeals" omitted by Bom. Act 94 of 1958. Section 4 (1-4-1959).].The [Additional District Judge] [Substituted for the words "Assistant Judge" by the Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act (27 of 1984), S.2(a) (27-9-1984).] shall have jurisdiction to try such suits and to dispose of such applications or references. Where the [Additional District Judge] [Substituted for the words "Assistant Judge" by the Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act (27 of 1984), S.2(a) (27-9-1984).] decrees and orders in such cases are appealable, the appeal shall lie to the District Judge or to the High Court according as the amount or value of the subject-matter does not exceed or exceeds [fifty thousand rupees] [Substituted for the words "twenty five thousand rupees" by Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act, 1982 (Maha. Act 10 of 1983), Section 2(b) (1-1-1984).].

Gujarat Amendment.-In its application to the State of Gujarat, in section 16.For the word "fifty thousand rupees" the words "one lac rupees" substituted.- Guj. Act 16 of 2002, section 2(2-9-2002).

17. [ Appellate jurisdiction of [Additional District Judge] [Substituted by the Bombay Civil Courts (Extension) and (Amendment) Act, 1958 (Bom. Act 94 of 1958), S.5 (1-4-1959).].-

An [Additional District Judge] [Substituted for the words "Assistant Judge" by the Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act (27 of 1984), S.2(a) (27-9-1984).] shall have jurisdiction to try such appeals from the decrees and orders of the Subordinate Courts as would lie to the District Judge and as may be referred by him to the [Additional District Judge] [Substituted for the words "Assistant Judge" by the Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act (27 of 1984), S.2(a) (27-9-1984).].Decrees and orders passed under this section by an [Additional District Judge] [Substituted for the words "Assistant Judge" by the Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act (27 of 1984), S.2(a) (27-9-1984).] shall have the same force and shall be subject to the same rules as regards procedure and appeals as decrees and orders passed by the District Judge].

18. Continuance of Additional District Judge appellate jurisdiction.-

[Omitted by Bombay Act 94 of 1958, Section 6 (1-4-1959).]

19. Power to Invest [Additional District Judge] [Substituted for the words "Assistant Judge" by the Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act (27 of 1984), S.2(a) (27-9-1984).] with powers of District Judge.-

The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, invest an [Additional District Judge] [Substituted for the words "Assistant Judge" by the Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act (27 of 1984), S.2(a) (27-9-1984).] with all or any of the powers of a District Judge within a particular part of a district, and may, by like notification, from time to time, determine and alter the limits of such part.The jurisdiction of an [Additional District Judge] [Substituted for the words "Assistant Judge" by the Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act (27 of 1984), S.2(a) (27-9-1984).] so invested shall pro tanto exclude the jurisdiction of the District Judge from within the said limits.Every [Additional District Judge] [Substituted for the words "Assistant Judge" by the Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act (27 of 1984), S.2(a) (27-9-1984).] so invested shall ordinarily hold his Court at such place within the local limits of his jurisdiction as may be determined by the State Government, and may, with the previous sanction of the High Court, hold it at any other place within such limits.

20. [Additional District Judge] [Substituted for the words "Assistant Judge" by the Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act (27 of 1984), S.2(a) (27-9-1984).] to use seal of District Judge.-

Every [Additional District Judge] [Substituted for the words "Assistant Judge" by the Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act (27 of 1984), S.2(a) (27-9-1984).] shall use the seal of the District Judge to whom he is assistant.

Part VI – Civil Judges

21. Number of subordinate Civil Courts.-

There shall be in each district so many Civil Courts subordinate to the District Court as the [State Government] [Substituted for the words "Provincial Government" by A.L.O. 1950.] shall from time to time direct :[Provided that for special reasons it shall be lawful for the [State Government] [Proviso inserted by the Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act, 1900 (Bom. Act 1 of 1900), Section 3.] at any time to close temporarily any such subordinate Court].

22. Appointment of Civil Judges.-

The Judges of such subordinate Courts shall be appointed by the State Government and shall be called [Civil Judges] [Substituted for the words "Subordinate Judges" by Bom. Act 10 of 1945. Section 3 read with Bom. Act 48 of 1947, Section 3.]. [* * * *] [Para speaking of qualifications of persons to he appointed as subordinate Judges, omitted by A.L. (Indian Laws) O., 1937.].

22A. [ Power to fix local limits of jurisdiction of Civil Judges.- [Inserted by Bom. Act 9 of 1880, Section 2.]

The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, fix, and, by a like notification, from time to time, alter the local limits of the ordinary jurisdiction of the [Civil Judges]].

23. Situation of Subordinate Courts.-

The [Civil Judges] [Substituted for the words "Subordinate Judges" by Bom. Act 10 of 1945, Section 3 read with 48 of 1947. S 3.] shall hold their Courts at such place or places as the State Government may from time to time appoint within the local limits of their respective jurisdictions :[Provided that for special reasons it shall be lawful for the State Government to order that a [Civil Judges] [Proviso added by Bom. Act 1 of 1900. Section 4.] shall hold his Court at a place outside the local limits of his jurisdiction].Wherever more than one such place is appointed, the District Judge shall, subject to the control of the High Court, fix the days on which the [Civil Judges] [Substituted for the words "Subordinate Judges" by Bom. Act 10 of 1945, Section 3 read with 48 of 1947. S 3.] shall hold his Court at each of such places, and the [Civil Judges] [Substituted for the words "Subordinate Judges" by Bom. Act 10 of 1945, Section 3 read with 48 of 1947. S 3.] shall cause such days to be duly notified throughout the local limits of his jurisdiction.The same person may be the Judge of more than one subordinate Court c[and may dispose of the Civil business of any one of his Courts at the headquarters of any other of his Court;] and in such cases the District Judge shall, subject to the control of the High Court, prescribe rules for regulating the time during which the [Civil Judges] [Substituted for the words "Subordinate Judges" by Bom. Act 10 of 1945, Section 3 read with 48 of 1947. S 3.] shall sit in each Court.Appointment of Joint [Civil Judges] [Substituted for the words "Subordinate Judges" by Bom. Act 10 of 1945, Section 3 read with 48 of 1947. S 3.].[For the purpose of assisting the Judge of any subordinate Court in the disposal of the civil business on his file, the High Court may appoint to such Court from the members of the Subordinate Civil Judicial Service of the State one or more Joint [Civil Judges] [substituted for original para by Bom. Act 1 of 1900, Section 4.] or the District Judge may, with the previous sanction of the High Court, depute to such Court the Judges of another subordinate Court within the district. A [Civil Judges] [Substituted for the words "Subordinate Judges" by Bom. Act 10 of 1945, Section 3 read with 48 of 1947. S 3.] thus appointed or deputed to assist in the Court of another [Civil Judges] [Substituted for the words "Subordinate Judges" by Bom. Act 10 of 1945, Section 3 read with 48 of 1947. S 3.] shall dispose of such civil business within the limits of his pecuniary jurisdiction as may, subject to the control of the District Judge, be referred to him by the Judge of such Court. He may also dispose of the civil business of his Court at the place of his deputation subject to the general or special orders of the High Court in this behalf].Provisions applicable to Joint [Civil Judges] [Substituted for the words "Subordinate Judges" by Bom. Act 10 of 1945, Section 3 read with 48 of 1947. S 3.].For the purposes of this section the provisions of the Act applicable to [Civil Judges] [Substituted for the words "Subordinate Judges" by Bom. Act 10 of 1945, Section 3 read with 48 of 1947. S 3.] shall be, and shall be deemed always to have been applicable to Joint [Civil Judges] [Substituted for the words "Subordinate Judges" by Bom. Act 10 of 1945, Section 3 read with 48 of 1947. S 3.];Provided that no such Joint [Civil Judges] [Substituted for the words "Subordinate Judges" by Bom. Act 10 of 1945, Section 3 read with 48 of 1947. S 3.] shall hear and determine any suit instituted under section 4 of the Dekkhan Agriculturists' Relief Act, 1879, unless the value of the said suit falls within the limits of the pecuniary jurisdiction conferred on him by that Act.

24. Classes of Civil Judges.-

The [Civil Judges] [Substituted by Bom. Act 48 of 1947. S 3.] shall be of two classes.Jurisdiction of [Civil Judge (Senior Division)] [Substituted by Bom. Act 48 of 1947. S 3.].The jurisdiction of a [Civil Judge (Senior Division)] [Substituted by Bom. Act 48 of 1947. S 3.] extends to all original suits and proceedings of a civil nature.Jurisdiction of [Civil judge (Junior Division)] [Substituted by Bom. Act 48 of 1947. S 3.].The jurisdiction of a [Civil Judge (Junior Division)] [Substituted by Bom. Act 48 of 1947. S 3.] extends to all original suits and proceedings of a civil nature wherein the subject-matter does not exceed in amount or value [twenty-five thousand rupees] [ Substituted for the words "ten thousand rupees" by the Maha. Act 46 of 1977, Section 13(a) (1-1-1978).]:[Provided that the State Government may increase the limit of [twenty-five thousand rupees] [Proviso inserted by Bombay Act (7 of 1930), section 3] in the case of any [Civil judge (Junior Division)] [Substituted by Bom. Act 48 of 1947. Section 3.] of not less than ten years standing and specially recommended in this behalf by the High Court. A Civil Judge so empowered shall continue to exercise this power so long and as often as he may fill the office of [Civil judge (Junior Division)] [Substituted by Bom. Act 48 of 1947. S 3.] without reference to the District in which he may be employed, unless the powers are withdrawn by the [State Government] [Substituted for the words "Provincial Government" by A.L.O. 1950.]].

Gujarat Amendment.-In its application to the State of Gujarat in Section 24.(1) for the proviso deleted - See Gujarat Act 20 of 1979, section 3 (1-1-1980)(2) for the words "fifty thousand rupees", the words "one lac rupees" substituted - See Gujarat Act (16 of 2002), section 3 (2-9-2002).

25. Special jurisdiction of [Civil judge (Junior Division)] [Substituted by Bom. Act 48 of 1947. S 3.].-

A Civil Judge (Senior Division), in addition to his ordinary jurisdiction, shall exercise a special jurisdiction in respect of such suits and proceedings of a civil nature, as may arise within the local jurisdiction to the Courts in the district presided over by [Civil Judges (Senior Division)] [Substituted by Bom. Act 48 of 1947. S 3.] [and wherein the subject matter exceeds the pecuniary jurisdiction of the [Civil judge (Junior Division)] [Added by Bombay Act 07 of 1930, section 4(2)] as defined by section 24].In districts to which more than one [Civil Judge (Senior Division)] [Substituted by Bom. Act 48 of 1947. S 3.] have been appointed, the District Judge, subject to the orders of the High Court, shall assign to each the local limits within which his said special jurisdiction is to be exercised.

26. Appeals from his decision.-

In all suits decided by Civil Judge [* * * *] [Words "of the first class in the exercise of his ordinary and special original jurisdiction" were repealed by Bom. Act 28 of 1930, Section 2.] of which the amount or value of the subject-matter exceeds [fifty thousand rupees] [Substituted for the words "twenty-five thousand rupees" by the Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act, 1982 (Maha. Act 10 of 1983). Section 3 (1-1-1984).], the appeal from his decision shall be direct to the High Court.

27. Appellate jurisdiction of [Civil Judge (Senior Division)] [Substituted by Bom. Act 48 of 1947. S 3.] or Judge of Court of Small Causes.-

The State Government may invest any [Civil Judge (Senior Division)] [Substituted by Bom. Act 48 of 1947. S 3.] or any Judge of the Court of Small Causes established under the Provincial Small Cause Courts Act, 1887, in any place to which this section extends with power to hear appeals from such decrees and orders of Subordinate Courts as may be referred to him by the Judge of the district.Decrees and orders so passed in appeal by a Civil Judge (Senior Division) or a Judge of a Court of Small Causes shall have the same force as if passed by a District Judge.A [Civil Judge (Senior Division)] [Substituted by Bom. Act 48 of 1947. S 3.] or a Judge of a Court of Small Causes, on whom the power of hearing appeals has once been conferred under this section, shall continue to have this power so long and so often as he may fill the office of [Civil Judge (Senior Division)] [Substituted by Bom. Act 48 of 1947. S 3.] or Judge of a Court of Small Causes respectively, without reference to the district in which he may be employed :Provided that the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, at any time withdraw such power.

28. [ Power to invest Civil Judges with small cause powers.- [Substituted for the original section by Bom. Act 94 of 1958, S.7 (1-4-1959)]

(1)The High Court may invest any Civil Judge with the jurisdiction of a Court of Small Causes for the trial of suits cognizable by such Courts up to such amount as it may deem proper, not exceeding in the case of a Civil Judge (Senior Division) [three thousand rupees] and in the case of a Civil Judge (Junior Division) [one thousand and five hundred rupees] [Substituted for the words "five hundred rupee" by the Maharashtra Civil Courts (Enhancement of Pecuniary Jurisdiction and Amendment) Act (46 of 1977). S.15(b) (1-1-1978).].

(2)A Civil Judge (Senior Division) or a Civil Judge (Junior Division) who is invested with the jurisdiction of a Court of Small Causes under sub-section (1), shall continue to have such jurisdiction within the local limits of his ordinary jurisdiction so long and so often as he may fill the office of Civil Judge (Senior Division) or Civil Judge (Junior Division), as the case may be, without reference to the District in which he may be employed.

(3)The High Court may, whenever it thinks fit, withdraw such jurisdiction from any Civil Judge so invested.][28-A. Power to invest Civil Judges with jurisdiction under certain Acts.- [Inserted by Bom. Act 5 of 1912, S.2.]

(1)The High Court may by general or special order invest any Civil Judge, within such local limits and subject to such pecuniary limitation as may he prescribed in such order, with all or any of the powers of it District Judge or a District Court as the case may be under the Indian Succession Act, 1865. the Probate and Administration Act, 1881, or Paragraph 5 of Schedule llt to the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.

(2)Every order made by a Civil Judge by virtue of the powers conferred upon him under sub-section (1) shall be subject to appeal to the High Court or the District Court according as the amount or value of the subject-matter exceeds or does not exceed [fifty thousand rupees].

(3)Every order of the District Judge passed on appeal under sub-section (2) from the order of a Civil Judge shall be subject to an appeal to the High Court under the rules contained in the Code of Civil Procedure applicable to appeals from appellate decrees].

29. Seal of Civil Judge.-

Each Civil Judge shall use a seal one inch and a half in diameter, hearing the Asoka Capital Motif, with the following inscription in English and the principal language of the district :- "Civil Judge of......."

30. and 31. First Subordinate Judges, pending proceedings.-

[Repealed by the Repealing Act, 1876 (XII of 1876).]

32. [ Government suits.- [Substituted by Bom. Act 6 of 1926, S.2.]

(1)No Subordinate Court other than the Court of a [Civil Judge (Senior Division)] and no Court of Small Causes shall receive or register any suit in which [the Government] [Substituted by A.L.O. 1950.] or any officer of the Government in his official capacity is a party.

(2)In every such case the plaintiff shall be referred to the Court of the [Civil Judge (Senior Division)] [Substituted by Bom. Act 10 of 1945, S.5 read with Bom. Act 48 of 1947, S.3.] and such suit shall be instituted only in the Court of the [Civil Judge (Senior Division)] [Substituted by Bom. Act 10 of 1945, S.5 read with Bom. Act 48 of 1947, S.3.] and such suit shall be instituted only in the Court of the [Civil Judge (Senior Division)] [Substituted by Bom. Act 10 of 1945, S.5 read with Bom. Act 48 of 1947, S.3.] and shall he heard by such Civil Judge, subject to the provisions of section 24 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.

(3)Nothing in this section shall be deemed to apply to a suit against the administration of a Government railway; or to apply to any suit merely because an officer of [the Government] [Substituted by A.L.O. 1950.] is a party thereto, in his capacity of

(a)member of a local authority,

(b)curator, guardian, manager or representative of a private person or estate in virtue of an appointment, delegation, declaration or exercise of powers under (i) Order 32, Rule 4(4) of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908;

(ii)Section 69 or 71 of the Indian Lunacy Act, 1912;

(iii)Sections 7, 18 or 42 of the Guardians and Wards Act. 1890;

(iv)Section 1 or 17 of the Ahmedabad Talukdars' Act, 1862;

(v)Sections 3, 19(1), 19(2), 20, 22(1) or 41(1) of the Bombay Court of Wards Act, 1905].

Removal Or Suspension

33. Commission of Inquiry into alleged misconduct.-

[Repealed by A.O., 1937.]

34. Suspension of Subordinate Judges by High Court; by District Judge Saving of power of Government to suspend or dismiss.-

[Repealed by A.O., 1937.]

Part VII – Temporary Vacancies

35. [ Temporary vacancy of Office of District Judge.- [Substituted by the Maharashtra Civil Courts (Enhancement of Pecuniary Jurisdiction and Amendment) Act (46 of 1977). Section 17 (1-1-1978).]

In the event of the death, or of his absence from his district on leave or of his becoming incapable of acting, the first in rank of the [Joint District Judge] in the district, or in the absence of any [Joint District Judge] [Substituted for the words "Joint Judge" by Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act (Maha. Act 27 of 1984), Section 2(b) (28-9-1984).] the first in rank of the [Additional District Judge] [Substituted for the words "Assistant Judge" by Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act (Maha. Act 27 of 1984), Section 2(a) (28-9-1984).] in the district, or in the absence of any [Joint District Judge] and [Additional District Judge] [Substituted for the words "Assistant Judge" by Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act (Maha. Act 27 of 1984), Section 2(a) (28-9-1984).] the first in the rank of Civil Judges in the district, shall assume charge of the District Court without interruption to his ordinary jurisdiction, and while so in charge, shall perform the duties of a District Judge with respect to the filing of suits and appeals, receiving pleadings, execution processes, return of writs and the like and shall also dispose of any urgent suits, appeals and other proceedings (including any applications or references under any special Acts) which are or may be filed or pending before the District Judge. The Judge performing such duties and exercising such powers shall be designated [Joint District Judge] Additional District Judge] or Civil Judge, as the case may be, in charge of the district, and shall continue in such charge until the office of the District Judge may be resumed or assumed by an officer duly appointed thereto.]

36. Delegation of powers of District Judge.-

Any District Judge leaving the sadr station and proceeding on duty to any place within his district may- [where no [Joint District Judge] [Inserted by Maha. Act (46 of 1977), Section 18 (1-1-1978).] is available] delegate to an [Additional District Judge] [Substituted for the words "Assistant Judge" by the Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act (Maha. Act 27 of 1984), Section 2(a) (28-9-1984). ], or in the absence of an [Additional District Judge] [Substituted for the words "Assistant Judge" by the Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act (Maha. Act 27 of 1984), Section 2(a) (28-9-1984). ] to Civil Judge at the sadr station, the power of performing such of the duties enumerated in section 35 as may be emergent; and such officer shall be designated Assistant or Civil Judge, as the case may be, in charge of the sadr station.

Gujarat Amendment.-In its application to the State of Gujarat in Section 36.(a) for the words "may delegate to an Assistant Judge, or in the absence of an Assistant Judge, to Civil Judge" the words "may delegate to a Joint Judge, if any, or in the absence of a Joint Judge, to an Assistant Judge or in the absence of an Assistant Judge, to a Civil Judge" - Substituted.(b) for the words "shall be designated Assistant or Civil Judge" the words "shall be designated Joint or Assistant or Civil Judge" - Substituted - Guj. Act 31 of 1973, Section 3 (27-12-1973).

37. Temporary vacancy of office of Civil Judge.-

In the event of the death, suspension or temporary absence of any Civil Judge, the District Judge may empower the Judge of any subordinate Court of the same district to perform the duties of the Judge of the vacated subordinate Court, either at the place of such Court or of his own Court; but in every such case the registers and records of the two Courts shall be kept distinct.

Part VIII – Ministerial Officers

38. Appointment, etc., of ministerial officers.-

[Repealed by A.O. 1937.]

39. Duties of ministerial officers.-

The duties of the ministerial officers of the Civil Courts shall be regulated by such rules as the High Court may from time to time prescribe.

40. Power to appoint clerks of the Courts.-

[There may he appointed to any Civil Court under this Act] a clerk of the Court, who, in addition to such duties as may from time to time be prescribed by the High Court, may receive and register plaints, and shall refer such as he may consider should be refused for the orders of the Judge of the Court, and may sign all processes, and authenticate copies of papers] [Substituted for the words "The District Judge may, under the general control of the Governor of Bombay in council appoint to any Civil Court under this Act within the local limits of his jurisdiction" by A.I.L.O. 1937. ].

40A. Power to transfer clerks of the Court or ministerial officer.-

[Omitted by A.O. 1937.]

Part IX – Miscellaneous

41. Rules for keeping proceedings.-

The proceedings of each Civil Court shall be kept and recorded according to such rules as the High Court may from time to time prescribe. The High Court shall also lay down rules under which copies of papers may be granted.

41A. [ Licensed petition-writers.- [Inserted by Bom. Act 1 of 1900 Section 9.]

(1)The High Court may, from time to time, snake rules consistent with this Act and any other enactment for the time being in force

(a)declaring what persons shall be permitted to act as petition-writers in the Courts subordinate to it;

(b)regulating the issue of licenses to such persons, the conduct of business by them, and the scale of fees to be charged by them; and

(c)providing a penalty of tine not exceeding fifty rupees for breach of any of the rules so made, and determining the authority by which such breaches of the rules shall be investigated and the penalties imposed.

(2)Every fine imposed under clause (c) of sub-section (1) shall be recoverable as if it were a fine imposed by a Magistrate in the exercise of his ordinary jurisdiction.]

42. Fees for process.-

The High Court shall from time to time, with the sanction of the State Government, prescribe and regulate the fees to be taken for any process issued by any Court the constitution of which is declared by this Act, or by any officer of such Court. Tables of the fees so prescribed shall be published in the Official Gazette.

43. Sittings of Courts.-

The District and Subordinate Courts shall sit from day to day except on Sundays. [* * * *] [Deleted by the Bombay Civil Courts (Amendment) Act. 1982 (Maha. Act 10 of 1983), Section 5 (1-1-1984).] and such other days as may be sanctioned for each or every district by the High Court.Vacation.The High Court may also permit the Civil Courts under its control to adjourn for a period or periods not exceeding in the whole six weeks in each year.

Gujarat Amendment.-In its application to the State of Gujarat, in section 43 in the first paragraph, for the words "Sundays, New Year's Day, Good Friday and Christmas Day" the word "Sunday" be substituted,- Guj. Act 13 of 1982, section 2 (1-4-1982).

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Bombay Presidency - Act