Site icon Sahodar

Common Courtroom Terms in India You Should Know

Common Courtroom Terms in India You Should Know
Sn. Term Situation of Use Explanation
1 List the Matter After hearing, when judge wants to fix next date Court orders case to be scheduled for another date in the cause list.
2 Cause List Daily posted schedule outside courtroom Displays all matters listed before the judge for that day, including stages.
3 Adjourned Sine Die Case halted indefinitely (e.g., awaiting another court’s decision) Case adjourned without a fixed date until further developments.
4 Disposal Report When seized items like phones, vehicles are dealt with Police file report stating how seized property was handled post-approval.
5 C.D. (Case Diary) During bail hearing or trial in criminal cases Diary by IO showing daily investigation progress, important for judge.
6 Production Warrant Accused in jail, required to appear in court Court orders jail authorities to produce prisoner on specific date.
7 Cognizance Taken After charge sheet is filed Magistrate formally notes offence and proceeds to summon accused.
8 L.C. Copy If court-provided copy is illegible Application for a legible version of the document.
9 Proclaimed Offender (P.O.) Accused absconding and not traceable Court initiates CrPC S.82-83 / BNSS S.84-85 to declare fugitive.
10 207 CrPC Compliance After charge sheet, before trial Prosecution provides FIR, witness statements, documents to accused.
11 Vakalatnama Advocate begins representing client Legal document authorizing advocate to act on client’s behalf.
12 Discovery During trial preparation (mainly civil) Both sides exchange documents and evidence.
13 Mention the Matter Advocate seeks early hearing/date Oral request at session start to bring attention to urgent matter.
14 Taken on Record Court accepts document during hearing Document becomes part of official court record.
15 Directions Issued In interlocutory hearings Court gives instructions (e.g., police to investigate, file documents).
16 Put Up for Orders Arguments complete Court reserves matter for final order on future date.
17 Fixed for Arguments Before final judgment Case set for oral submissions by advocates on an issue.
18 File Affidavit Facts need to be supported under oath Court asks for sworn statement verifying claims.
19 File Reply/Rejoinder During interim application stage Response to other party’s affidavit; rejoinder is counter-response.
20 Arguments Heard, Orders Reserved Final stage of hearing Judge has heard all sides, will deliver judgment later.
21 Interim Relief Urgent protection sought Temporary order like stay, injunction before final hearing.
22 Bailable/Non-bailable Warrant Accused fails to appear in criminal matters Compels presence via police; bailable allows bail, non-bailable is arrest.
23 Restoration Application Case dismissed in default Request to revive dismissed matter due to absence.
24 Condonation of Delay Filing after limitation period Application seeking excuse for delay with valid reasons.
25 Inspection Application To examine court file Parties file to inspect records and take notes or copies.
26 Certified Copy For record or appeal Authenticated copy of court order or document from registry.
27 Summons/Notice Issued Beginning of civil/criminal case Court informs opposite party to appear or respond.
28 Execution Petition Post-judgment, order not complied Filed to enforce decree (e.g., recovery, eviction).
29 Compromise Deed Filed Matter settled out of court Settlement agreement submitted to end litigation with consent.
30 Recall Application To cancel/recall previous order Filed to revoke order due to error or non-appearance.
31 Learned Counsel (Ld. Counsel) Referring to opposite lawyer Respectful way to address another advocate.
32 Ld. PP / Ld. APP During criminal trial Learned Public Prosecutor / Assistant Public Prosecutor.
33 ASJ / MM / CJM In cause list and orders Additional Sessions Judge / Metropolitan Magistrate / Chief Judicial Magistrate.
34 Dasti Service Court permits hand-delivery of notice Party personally serves notice to opposite side.
35 File is Under Objection Registry use Case/documents have technical defects needing correction.
36 Taken on Record Court accepts document Document becomes part of official record.
37 File is Awaited During adjournment Court waiting for file from registry/another court.
38 Record is Requisitioned Case linked with another matter File called from another bench or court.
39 Put Up on Receiving File During adjournment Matter listed when file is received.
40 Heard in Part After partial arguments Some arguments heard; case adjourned for rest.
41 No Further Opportunity Final warning by court If party doesn’t act, court may proceed ex-parte.
42 Ex Parte Proceedings Opposite party doesn’t appear Court proceeds without absent party.
43 Pleadings Complete Both parties filed plaint and WS Court ready to set case for issues or arguments.
44 WS (Written Statement) In civil cases Defendant’s written reply to plaint.
45 Replication Plaintiff’s response to WS Optional rebuttal to defendant’s reply.
46 Interlocutory Application (IA) During any stage of case Interim reliefs, directions, exemption requests.
47 Filing Defects Clerk-level issue Problems with formatting, court fee, Vakalatnama.
48 Maintainability Objection By opposite counsel or court Court has no jurisdiction / improper filing.
49 Plaint Returned Wrong jurisdiction Case sent to proper court for refiling.
50 Deemed Admission Facts not denied Unrebutted facts considered admitted.
51 To be Shown in the Cause List Ensure next hearing listed Ensures administrative registry compliance.
52 Submissions Heard End of oral arguments Court closes hearing, fixes date for order.
53 Arguments Concluded Both sides done Ready for judgment.
54 Matter Reserved for Judgment Post-hearing Court will pronounce judgment later.
55 Liberty is Granted In court orders Court permits party to take future action.
56 Subject to Objections Provisional allowance Filing accepted provisionally.
57 Without Prejudice In compromise or communications Statements not used against party if case proceeds.
58 In Limine At the beginning Preliminary dismissal before full hearing.
59 Prima Facie Case Bail, injunction, etc. First impression shows some merit in claim.
60 Per Incuriam Higher courts’ interpretation Judgment passed ignoring binding precedent/law.
61 Sub Judice Pending in court Issue still under judicial consideration.
62 Affidavit of Service After sending notice Sworn statement that notice was served.
63 Stay Order Interim relief Court halts proceedings or action temporarily.
64 Objections Filed Party disagrees with report/document Common in execution or expert reports.
65 Counter Affidavit Reply to affidavit Filed by opposite party, especially in writs.
66 Contempt Petition Violation of court order Filed to punish for disobedience.
67 Delay Condoned Court accepts late filing Sufficient cause shown for delay.
68 Restoration Allowed Court revives dismissed case For non-appearance or default dismissal.
69 Execution Stayed Temporary halt to decree enforcement Often done by higher court.
70 Registry Objection Cleared After defects fixed Filing is now complete.
Exit mobile version