4[

(1) If the State Government so direct, there may be appointed, by order in writing, Additional Judges of a Court of Small Causes or of two or more such Courts.]

(2) 5[An Additional] Judge shall discharge such of the functions of the Judge of the Court or Courts as the Judge may assign to him, and in the discharge of those functions shall exercise the same powers as the Judge.

(3) The Judge may withdraw from 5 [an Additional] Judge any business pending before him.

(4) When the Judge is absent, the 6[senior] Additional Judge may discharge all or any of the functions of the Judge. 9. [Suspension and removal of Judges.] Rep. by the A.O. 1937. 10. Power to require two Judges to sit as a bench.—The State Government, after consultation with the High Court, may, by order in writing, direct that two Judges of Courts of Small Causes or a Judge and an Additional Judge of a Court of Small Causes shall sit together for the trial of such class or classes of suits or applications cognizable by a Court of Small Causes as may be described in the order. 11. Decision in case heard by a bench.—

(1) If two Judges, or a Judge and an Additional Judge, sitting together under the last foregoing section, differ as to a question of law or usage having the force of law, or in construing a document the construction of which may affect the merits, they shall draw up and refer, for the decision of the High Court, a statement of the facts of the case and of the point 1. The words “with the previous sanction of the G. G. in C.” rep. by Act 4 of 1914. s. 2 and the Schedule. 2. For notifications issued under cl.

(2) of s. 5, see different local R. and O. 3. Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for section 6. 4. Subs., ibid., for the sub-section

(1). 5. Subs. by Act 11 of 1915, s. 2 and the First Schedule, for “the Additional”. 6. Ins. by s. 2 and the First Schedule, ibid. 4 on which they differ in opinion, and the provisions of 1 Chapter XLVI of the Code of Civil Procedure (14 of 1882) shall apply to the reference.

(2) If they differ on any matter other than a matter specified in sub -section

(1), the opinion of the Judge who is senior in respect of date of appointment as Judge of a Court of Small Causes, or, if one of them is an Additional Judge, then the opinion of the Judge sitting with him, shall prevail.

(3) For the purposes of sub-section

(2), a Judge permanently appointed shall be deemed to be senior to an officiating Judge. 2 12. Registrar.— 3[

(1) There may be appointed to a Court of Small Causes an officer to be called the Registrar of the Court.]

(2) Where a Registrar is appointed, he shall be the chief ministerial officer of the Court.

(3) The State Government may, by order in writing, confer upon a Registrar, within the local limits of the jurisdiction of the Court, the jurisdiction of a Judge of a Court of Small Causes for the trial of suits of which the value does not exceed twenty rupees.

(4) The Registrar shall try such suits cognizable by him as the Judge may, by general or special order, direct. 4 * * * * * 13. [Other ministerial officers.] Rep. by the A.O. 1937. 14. Duties of ministerial officers.—

(1) The ministerial officers of a Court of Small Causes shall, in addition to any duties mentioned in this Act, or in any other enactment for the time being in force, as duties which are or may be imposed on any of them, discharge such duties of a ministerial nature as the Judge directs.

(2) The High Court may make rules consistent with this Act, and with any other enactment for the time being in force, conferring and imposing on the ministerial officers of a Court of Small Causes such powers and duties as it thinks fit, and regulating the mode in which powers and duties so conferred and imposed are to be exercised and performed. CHAPTER III JURISDICTION OF COURTS OF SMALL CAUSES 15. Cognizance of suits by Courts of Small Causes.—

(1) A Court of Small Causes shall not take cognizance of the suits specified in the second schedule as suits excepted from the cognizance of a Court of Small Causes.

(2) Subject to the exceptions specified in that schedule and to the provisions of any enactment for the time being in force, all suits of a civil nature of whi ch the value does not exceed five hundred rupees shall be cognizable by a Court of Small Causes.

(3) Subject as aforesaid, the State Government may, by order in writing, direct that all suits of a civil nature of which the value does not exceed one thousand rupees shall be cognizable by a Court of Small Causes mentioned in the order.5 1. See now ss. 113 and 115 and the First Schedule, Order XLVI, of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (Act 5 of 1908). 2. This section has been amended in its application to the Bombay Presidency by the Provincial Small Cause Courts (Bombay Amendment) Act, 1930 (Bom. 6 of 1930), s. 2. 3. Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for the original sub-section which read: “

(1) The L. G. may appoint to a Court of Small Causes an officer to be called the Registrar of the Court.” 4. Sub-section

(5), which read: “A Registrar may be suspended or removed from office by the L.G.” was rep. by the A. O. 1937. 5. For notifications issued under this section, see different local R. and O. 5 STATE AMENDMENT Uttar Pradesh Amendment of section 15 of Act No. IX of 1887.—In section 15 of the Provincial Small Cause Courts Act, 1887.—

(2) for the words “five thousand rupees” the words “twenty five thousand rupees” shall be substituted.

(2) for the words “twenty five thousand rupees” the words “one lakh rupees” shall be substituted. [Vide Uttar Pradesh Act 14 of 2015, s. 4] Uttar Pradesh Amendment of section 15 of Act No. 9 of 1887.—In section 15 of the Provincial Small Cause Courts Act, 1887,—

(2), for the words “one thousand rupees”, the words “two thousand rupees” shall be substituted ;

(3) and in the proviso thereto for the words, “two thousand rupees” wherever they occur, the words “three thousand rupees” shall be substituted. [Vide Uttar Pradesh Act 57 of 1976, s 29.] Uttar Pradesh Amendment of section 15 of Act IX of 1887.— In section 15 of the Provincial Small Cause Courts Act, 1887 for sub-section

(2) and

(3), the following sub-sections shall be substituted namely :- “

(2) Subject to the exceptions specified in that schedule and to the provisions of any enactment for the time being in force, all suits of a Civil nature of which the value does not exceed one thousand rupees shall be cognizable by a court of Small Causes.

(3) Subject as aforesaid, the State Government may, by order in writing direct that all suits of a civil nature of which the value does not exceed two thousand rupees shall be cognizable by a court of Small Causes mentioned in the order. ” [Vide Uttar Pradesh Act 14 of 1970, s. 5.] Uttar Pradesh Amendment of section 15 of Act IX of 1887.—In section 15 of the Provincial Small Cause Courts Act, 1887, as amended in its application to Uttar Pradesh, hereinafter referred to as the principal Act, in sub- section

(3), the following proviso shall be inserted, namely :— “

(4) in the Second Schedule.” [vide Uttar Pradesh Act 37 of 1972, s. 2] 16. Exclusive jurisdiction of Courts of Small Causes.—Save as expressly provided by this Act or by any other enactment for the time being in force, a suit cognizable by a Court of Small Causes shall not be tried by any other Court having jurisdiction within the local limits of the jurisdiction of the Court of Small Causes by which the suit is triable. 6 CHAPTER IV PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE 17. Application of the Code of Civil Procedure.—

(1) 1[The procedure prescribed in the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), shall, save in so far as is otherwise provided by that Code or by this Act,] be the procedure followed in a Court of Small Causes in all suits cognizable by it and in all proceedings arising out of such suits:

(2) Where a person has become liable as surety under the proviso to sub-section

(1), the security may be realized in manner provided by section 3[145] of the Code of Civil Procedure, 4[1908 (5 of 1908)]. 18. Trial of suits by Registrar.—

(1) Suits cognizable by the Registrar under section 12, sub-sections

(3) and

(4), shall be tried by him and decrees passed therein shall be executed by him, in like manner in all respects as the Judge might try the suits, and execute the decrees, respectively.

(2) The Judge may transfer to his own file, or to that of the Additional Judge if an Additional Judge has been appointed, any suit or other proceeding pending on the file of the Registrar. 19. Admission, return and rejection of plaints by Registrar.—

(1) When the Judge of a Court of Small Causes is absent, and an Additional Judge has not been appointed or, having been appointed, is also absent, the Registrar may admit a plaint, or return or reject a plaint for any reason for which the Judge might return or reject it.

(2) The Judge may, of his own motion or on the application of a party, return or reject a plaint which has been admitted by the Registrar, or admit a plaint which has been returned or rejected by him:

(1) If, before the date appointed for the hearing of a suit, the defendant or his agent duly authori sed in that behalf appears before the Registrar and admits the plaintiff's claim, the Registrar may, if the Judge is absent, and an Additional Judge has not been appointed or, having been appointed, is also absent, pass against the defendant, upon the admission, a decree which shall have the same effect as a decree passed by the Judge.

(2) Where a decree has been passed by the Registrar under sub-section

(1), the Judge may grant an application for review of judgment, and re -hear the suit, on the same conditions, on the same grounds and in the same manner as if the decree had been passed by himself. 21. Execution of decrees by Registrar.—

(1) If the Judge is absent, and an Additional Judge has not been appointed or, having been appointed, is also absent, the Registrar may, subject to any instructions which he may have received from the Judge or, with respect to 1 Subs. by Act 1 of 1926, s. 2, for certain words. 2. Subs. by Act 9 of 1935, s. 2, for “security to the satisfaction of the Court for the performance of the decree or compliance with the judgment, as the Court may direct”. 3. Subs. by Act 1 of 1926, s. 2, for “253”. 4. Ins. by s. 2, ibid. 7 decrees or orders made by an Additional Judge, from the Additional Judge, make any orders in respect of applications for the execution of decrees and orders made by the Court of which he is Registrar, or sent - to that Court for execution, which the Judge might make under this Act.

(2) The Judge, in the case of any decree or order with respect to the execution of which the Registrar has made an order under sub-section

(1), or the Additional Judge, in the case of any such decree or order which has been made by himself and with respect to which proceedings have not been taken by the Judge under this sub-section, may, of his own motion, or on application made by a party within fifteen days from the date of the order of the Registrar or of the execution of any process issued in pursuance of that order, reverse or modify the order.

(3) The period of fifteen days mentioned in sub-section

(2) shall be computed in accordance with the provisions of the 1Indian Limitation Act, 1877 (15 of 1877), as though the application of the party were an application for review of judgment. 22. Adjournment of cases by chief ministerial officer. —When the Judge of a Court of Small Causes is absent and an Additional Judge has not been appo inted or, having been appointed, is also absent, the Registrar or other chief ministerial officer of the Court may exercise from time to time the power which the Court possesses of adjourning the hearing of any suit or other proceeding, and fix a day for t he further hearing thereof. 23. Return of plaints in suits involving questions of title.—

(1) Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing portion of this Act, when the right of a plaintiff and the relief claimed by him in a Court of Small Causes depend upon the proof or disproof of a title to immovable property or other title which such a Court cannot finally determine, the Court may at any stage of the proceedings return the plaint to be presented to a Court having jurisdiction to determine the title.

(2) When a Court returns a plaint under sub -section

(1), it shall comply with the provisions of the second paragraph of 2 section 57 of the Code of Civil Procedure (14 of 1882) and make such order with respect to costs as it deems just, and the Court shall, for the purposes of the 1 Indian Limitation Act, 1877 (15 of 1877), be deemed to have been unable to entertain the suit by reason of a cause of a nature like to that of defect of jurisdiction. 24. Appeal from certain orders of Courts of Small Causes.—Where an order specified in 3[clause (ff) or clause

(1) of section 104 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908),] is made by a Court of Small Causes, an appeal therefrom shall lie to the District Court 4 [on any ground on which an appeal from such order would lie under that section]. 25. Revision of decrees and orders of Courts of Small Causes.—The High Court, for the purpose of satisfying itself that a decree or order made in any case decided by a Court of Small Causes was according to law, may call for the case and pass such order with respect thereto as it thinks fit. STATE AMENDMENT Uttar Pradesh Amendment of Section 25 of Act IX of 1887. —In section 25 of principal Act, the following proviso thereto shall be inserted, namely : — 1. See now the Indian Limitation Act, 1963 (36 of 1963). 2. Sec now the Code of Civil P rocedure, 1908 (Act 5 of 1908), Sch. I, Order V II, rule 10 3. Subs. by Act 9 of 1922, s. 5, for “section 588, clause ( 29 ), of the Code of Civil Procedure”. 4. Ins. by s. 5, ibid. 8 “

(1) A Court of Small Causes shall be subject to the administrative control of the District Court and to the superintendence of the High Court, and shall—

(2) The relation of the District Court to a Court of Small Causes, with respect to administrative control, shall be the same as that of the District Court to a Civil Court of the lowest grade competent to try an original suit of the value of five thousand rupees in that portion of the territories administered by the State Gove rnment in which the Court of Small Causes is established. 29. Seal.—A Court of Small Causes shall use a seal of such form and dimensions as are prescribed by the State Government. 30. Abolition of Courts of Small Causes.—The State Government may, by order in writing, 1abolish a Court of Small Causes. 31. Saving of power to appoint Judge of Court of Small Causes to other office.—

(1) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prevent 2 [the appointment of] a person who is a Judge or Additional Judge of a Court of Small Causes t o be also a Judge of any other 3Civil Court or to be a Magistrate of any class or to hold any other public office.

(2) When a Judge or Additional Judge is so appointed, the ministerial officers of his Court shall, subject to any rules which the State Government may make in this behalf, be deemed to be ministerial officers appointed to aid him in the disc harge of the duties of the other office. 32. Application of Act to Courts invested with jurisdiction of Court of Small Causes.—

(1) So much of Chapters III and IV as relates to —

(2) Nothing in sub-section

(1) with respect to Courts invested with the jurisdiction of a Court of Small Causes applies to suits instituted or proceedings commenced in those Courts before the date on which they were invested with that jurisdiction. 33. Application of Act and Code to Court so invested as to two Courts.—A Court invested with the jurisdiction of a Court of Small Causes with respect to the exercise of that jurisdiction, and the same Court with respect to the exercise of its jurisdiction in suits of a civil nature which are not cognizable by a Court of Small Causes, shall, for the purposes of this Act and the 1Code of Civil Procedure (14 of 1882), be deemed to be different Courts. 34. Modification of Code as so applied.—Notwithstanding anything in the last two foregoing sections,—

(1) Where a Court of Small Causes, or a Court invested with the Jurisdiction of a Court of Small Causes, has from any cause ceased to have jurisdiction with respect to any case, any proceeding in relation to the case, whether before or after decree, which, if the Court had not ceased to have jurisdiction, might have been had therein, may be had in the Court which, if the suit out of which the proceeding has arisen were about to be instituted, would have jurisdiction to try the suit.

(2) Nothing in this section applies to cases for which special provision is made in the 1Code of Civil Procedure (14 of 1882) as extended to Courts of Small Causes or in any other enactment for the time being in force. 36. [Amendment of Indian Limitation Act.] Rep.by the Indian Limitation Act, 1908 (9 of 1908), s. 32 and the Third Schedule. 37. Publication of certain orders.—All orders required by this Act to be made in writing by the State Government shall be published in the Official Gazette. THE FIRST SCHEDULE.—[Enactments repealed.] Rep. by the Amending Act, 1891 (12 of 1891), s. 2 and the First Schedule. 1. See now the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (Act 5 of 1908). 2. See now Order XXI, rule 6, ibid. 10 1 T H E S EC O N D SC H ED U L E SUITS EXCEPTED FROM THE COGNIZANCE OF A COURT OF SMALL CAUSES (See section 15) 2 [

(1) A suit concerning any act done or purporting to be done by or by order of the Central Government, the Crown Representative or the State Government;]

(2) a suit concerning an act purporting to be done by any person in pursuance of a judgment or order of a Court or of a j udicial officer acting in the execution of his office;

(3) a suit concerning an act or order purporting to be done or made by any other officer of the Government in his official capacity, or by a Court of Wards, or by an officer of a Court of Wards in the execution of his office;

(4) a suit for the possession of immovable property or for the recovery of an interest in such property;

(5) a suit for the partition of immovable property;

(6) a suit by a mortgagee of immovable property for the foreclosure of the mortgage or for the sale of the property, or by a mortgagor of immovable property for the redemption of the mortgage;

(7) a suit for the assessment, enhancement, abatement or apportionment of the rent of immovable property;

(8) a suit for the recovery of rent, other than house -rent, unless the Judge of the Court of Small Causes has been expressly invested by the State Government with authority to exercise jurisdiction with respect thereto;

(9) a suit concerning the liability of la nd to be assessed to land -revenue;

(10) a suit to restrain waste;

(11) a suit for the determination or enforcement of any other right to or interest in immovable property;

(12) a suit for the possession of an hereditary office or of an interest in such an office, including a suit to establish an exclusive or periodically recurring right to discharge the functions of an office;

(13) a suit to enforce payment of the allowance or fees respectively called malikana and hakk, or of cesses or other dues when the cesses or dues are payable to a person by reason of his interest in immovable property or in an hereditary office or in a shrine or other religious institution;

(14) a suit to recover from a person to whom compensation has been paid under the 3 Land Acquisition Act, 1870 (1 of 1870), the whole or any part of the compensation;

(15) a suit for the specific performance or rescission of a contract;

(16) a suit for the rectification or cancellation of an instrument; 1. This Schedule has been amended in its application to the Bombay Presidency by s. 2 of the Provincial Small Cause Courts (Bombay Amendment) Act, 1930 (Bom. 6 of 1930): and by s. 2 of the Provincial Small Cause Courts (Bombay Amendment) Act, 1932 (Bom. 9 of 1932). 2. Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for the original paragraph. 3. See now the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (1 of 1894). 11

(17) a suit to obtain an injunction;

(18) a suit relating to a trust, including a suit to make good out of the general estate of a deceased trustee the loss occasioned by a breach of trust, and a suit by a co -trustee to enforce against the estate of a deceased trustee a claim for contribution;

(19) a suit for a declaratory decree, not being a suit instituted under 1section 283 or section 332 of 1 the Code of Civil Procedure (14 of 1882);

(20) a suit instituted under section 283 or section 332 of the 1 Code of Civil Procedure (14 of 1882);

(21) a suit to set aside an attachment by a Court or a revenue -authorit y, or a sale, mort gage, lease or other transfer by a Court or a revenue -authorit y or by a guardian;

(22) a suit for property which the plaintiff ha s conveyed while insane;

(23) a suit to alter or set aside a decision, decree or order of a Court or of a person acting in a judicial capacity;

(24) a suit to contest an award;

(25) a suit upon a foreign judgment as defined in the 1Codc of Civil Procedure (14 of 1882) or upon a judgment obtained in 2[India];

(26) a suit to compel a refund of assets improperly distributed under section 3295 of the Code of Civil Procedure (14 of 1882);

(27) a suit under the 4Indian Succession Act, 1865 (10 of 1865), section 320 or section 321, or under the 4Probate and Administration Act, 1881 (5 of 1881), section 139 or section 140, to compel a refund by a person to whom an executor or administrator has paid a legacy or distributed assets;

(28) a suit for a legacy or for the whole or a share of a residue bequeathed by a testator, or for the whole or a share of the property of an intestate;

(29) a suit—

(30) a suit for an account of property and for its due administration under decree;

(31) any other suit for an account, including a suit by a mortgagor, after the mortgage has been satisfied, to recover surplus