Dishonor of cheque case

THE CHEQUE IS DRAWN IN A JOINT NAME SAY FOR EXAMPLE - JOHN FERNANDEZ & JOSEPH FERNANDEZ - CHEQUE GETS DISHONORED, JOHN FILES A COMPLAINT US 138 N.I. ACT DURING THE TRIAL PERIOD JOHN DIES AND THE COURT IS KEPT UNDER DARK FOR 5 YEARS AND SUDDENLY JOSEPH COMES UP TO CONTEST THE CASE, JOSEPH IS NOT THE LEGAL HEIR TOO. WOULD YOU PLEASE GUIDE WHAT SHOULD BE THE LEGAL STANDING OF THIS CASE. 1-WHAT ABOUT KEEPING THE COURT UNDER DARK 2-CAN JOSEPH CONTINUE WITH THE COMPLAINT THOUGH HE IS NOT THE LEGAL HEIR OF JOHN 3-ANY OTHER GUIDLINES AND LEGAL ADVISE