Pleading, plaint and written statement

PLEADING

Meaning and definition of pleading:-

“Pleading is define in Order VI Rule 1 of the CPC”

Pleadings are statement in writing delivered by each party alternatively to his opponent stating what is contention will be at the trial and giving all such details as his opponents needs to now an order to prepare his case or answer.

In the words of Jacob “Pleadings do not only define the issues between the parties for the final decision of the court at the trial, they manifest and exert their importance throughout the whole process of the litigation.

Pleading are those materials or essentials or essentials facts which are necessary to be averred in order to put a forward a cause or to establish a defence in a judicial proceeding. It is the backbone of the suit up on which the entire edifice of the suits rests. It includes allegations and counter allegations made by one party and denied by the other.

In Halsbury laws of England it has been noted that the term pleading is used on civil cases to denote a document in which a party to a proceeding in a court of first instance is required by law to formulate in writing his case or part of his case in preparation for the hearing.

Objects of pleading:-

1) To define the issues involved between two parties.
2) To provide an opportunity to the opposite party or other side to met up the particular allegation raised against him or her and,
3) To enable the court to adjudicate the real issues involved between two parties.

Case

Throp vs Holdsworth AIR 1873

The whole objects of pleading is to bring the parties to an issue and the meaning of the rules of pleading was to present the issue being enlarged which would prevent either party from knowing when the cause came on for trial what the real point to be discussed and decided was.

In fact, the whole meaning of the system is to narrow the parties to definite issues and thereby to diminish expense and delay, especially as regards the amount of testimony required on either side at the hearing.

Rules of pleading:-

a) Fundamental Rules:-

Fundamental Rules of Pleading emnate from the requirements of Order VI Rule 2 of the CPC which runs the:-

a) Every pleading shall contain and contain only a statement in a concise form of the material on which the party pleading relies for his claim or defence, as the case may be, but not the evidence by which they are to be proved.

b) Every pleading shall, when necessary be divided, in paragraphs numbered consecutively each allegation being so far as is convenient contained in separate paragraph.

c) Dates sums and numbers shall be expressed in a pleading in figures as well as in words.

b) Particular Rules:-

a) Particular should be stated in a pleading wherever it is necessary to do so.
b) Performance of any condition precedent need not be alleged in a pleading.
c) A party should not set out the whole or any part of a document, it is sufficient to state the legal effect of the same.
d) Notice may also be alleged as a fact without setting out the circumstances from which they are to be inferred.
e) A party need not plead any fact which the law presumes in his favor or as to which the burden of proof lies with the opposite party.
f) The pleading set forth sufficient factual details to the extent that it reduces the ability to put forward a false or exaggerated claim or defence.

PLAINT

Meaning:-

Plaint is defined in Order 7 of CPC. Plaint is a statement of claim filed by the plaintiff wherein it states the material facts upon which he relies in support of his case and claims and relief he desires.

The object of the plaint is to acquaint the court and the opposite party (i.e the defendant) with the case of the plaintiff “Plaint is the backbone of the suit”. The real nature of the suit has to be gathered from the plaint as a whole upon the facts on the basis of which the claim founded.

Essential Part of Plaint:-

a) Heading and Title
b) Body the Plaint

a) Substantial Portion:-

i) Matters of inducement.
ii) Facts constituting case of action (Order VII Rule 1(d))
iii) Facts showing defendants interest and liability (Order VII Rule 5)

b) Formal Portion:-

i) Date of cause of action
ii) Statements of facts pertaining to jurisdiction.
iii) Statement as to valuation of suit.
iv) Statement as to minority or insanity of a party.
v) Statement as to plaintiff representative character.
vi) Statement as to grounds of exemption from limitation law.
3) Relief claimed.
4) Signature and verification.

Case

State Bank of India Vs Ram Das (1998) Del 49

In a suit seeking recovery of loan advanced by a bank, the plaint was signed and verified by a person notified under gazette and competent under bank regulations.

It was held that that the plaint was duly and properly signed and verified. It is signed at two places, at the close of relief portion and at the end of verification. The pleader (if any) puts his signature at the foot of the plaint.

WRITTEN STATEMENT

“Written Statement is defined in Order 8 of CPC”

 Written statement is the statement or defence of the defendant by which he either admits the claims of the plaintiff or denies the allegations or averments made by the plaintiff in his plaint.

Case:-

Rachappa Vs Gurusidappa (1989) SC 635

The SC categorically stated that the term “written statement” in term of specific connotation signifying a reply to plaint filed by the defendant.

According to Sub Rule 1 of Order VIII Rule 1 the defendant must file his written statement within 30 days from the date of service of summons on him. But where the defendant fails to file the written statement within the said period of 30 days, the court for reasons to be recorded in writing may extend the period upto 90 days. The court in his discretion would have power to allow the defendant to file written statement even after expiry of 90 days.

Essentials of written statement:-

1) Heading and Title.
2) Body of the written statement.
3) Signature and verification
a) Constructive admission caused by defective denials (Order VIII Rule 5)
b) Constructive admission caused by non- filing of written statement. (Order VIII Rule 5(2))

Who may file written statement:-

A written statement may be filed by the defendant or by his duly authorized agent. In the case of more than one defendants, the common written statements filed by them must be signed by all of them. But it is sufficient if it is verified by one of them who is aware of the facts of the case and is in a position to file an affidavit. But a written statement filed by one defendant does not bind other defendants.