Does a liberal approach apply where rejection of an apparently meritorious matter on limitation is pitted against a decision on merits?
Coram: Justice R.Rajesh Vivekananthan
A liberal approach applies where rejection of an apparently meritorious matter on limitation is pitted against a decision on merits.
Yes. A liberal approach applies where rejection of an apparently meritorious matter on limitation is pitted against deciding it on merits. The petitioner ought accordingly to be afforded one more opportunity to contest the suit on merits, in the interests of justice and subject to cost. (¶16, 17)
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 — O.XX r.4(2) — O.XX r.5 — O.IX r.13 — Limitation Act, 1963 — s.5 — Ex parte decree without reasons — Sufficient cause — Condonation of delay — Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 — O.XX r.5 — Ex parte decree — Reasoned order still required — Held: Every judgment must contain a concise statement of the case, the points for determination and the reasons for the decision, and an ex parte judgment must equally answer the requirements of a reasoned order. (¶12) Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 — O.XX r.5 — Co-sharer's alienation — Subject to the partition suit — Held further: A co-sharer may sell his share of joint property to a third party and the alienation is subject to the result of the partition suit; it does not by itself bind the other co-sharer. (¶12) Limitation Act, 1963 — s.5 — Sufficient cause — Conduct of the earlier counsel — Held further: The conduct of the earlier counsel and the circumstances in which the defendants remained ex parte constitute sufficient cause within the meaning of section 5 of the Limitation Act. (¶13, 15) Limitation Act, 1963 — s.5 — Liberal approach — Limitation pitted against merits — Held further: Where rejection of an apparently meritorious matter on limitation is pitted against a decision on merits, the Court is entitled to take a liberal approach. Delay condoned subject to costs. (¶17, 18)
Headnote
You've used your free headnotes this month
The answer above and the Court's own paragraphs stay free. LexStreak's full headnote on this judgment needs an account — a free one opens it again.
Create my free accountOne judgment a day. That's the whole habit.
Read the full text of A.JEBA SINGH v. A. Kaleesha — and get the Madras High Court's output as a five-minute daily read, with plain-language headnotes and the questions each judgment settles.
Create my free accountFree forever plan · 30 seconds · data stays in India