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Friday, 13 November 2026 Judgments, law jobs and study notes, written by a practising advocate
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 · Order XXXVII: Summary Procedure

Order XXXVII Rule 1 CPC: Courts and classes of suits to which the Order is to apply

Bare Act text

[1. Courts and classes of suits to which the Order is to apply.—(1) This Order shall apply to the following Courts, namely:—

(a) High Courts, City Civil Courts and Courts of Small Causes; and

(b) other Courts:

Provided that in respect of the Courts referred to in clause (b), the High Court may, by notification in the Official Gazette, restrict the operation of this Order only to such categories of suits as it deems proper, and may also, from time to time, as the circumstances of the case may require, by subsequent notification in the Official Gazette, further restrict, enlarge or vary, the categories of suits to be brought under the operation of this Order as it deems proper.

(2) Subject to the provisions of sub-rule (1), the Order applies to the following classes of suits, namely:—

(a) suits upon bills of exchange, hundies and promissory notes;

(b) suits in which the plaintiff seeks only to recover a debt or liquidated demand in money payable by the defendant, with or without interest, arising,—

(i) on a written contract, or

(ii) on an enactment, where the sum sought to be recovered is a fixed sum of money or in the nature of a debt other than a penalty; or

(iii) on a guarantee, where the claim against the principal is in respect of a debt or liquidated demand only.]

[(iv) Suit for recovery of receivables instituted by any assignee of a receivable.]

Amendment notes

  1. Subs. by s. 84, ibid., for rule 1 (w.e.f. 1-2-1977).
  2. Ins. by the Act 12 of 2012, s. 35 and Sch. (w.e.f. 1-2-1977).

Text of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (Act No. 5 of 1908), First Schedule, as amended, including the changes for commercial disputes made by the Commercial Courts Act, 2015. Source: India Code, Government of India.

In simple words

Order XXXVII applies to High Courts, City Civil Courts and Courts of Small Causes, and to other Courts, though the High Court may by Official Gazette notification restrict, enlarge or vary the categories of suits in the other Courts. It applies to suits on bills of exchange, hundies and promissory notes. It also applies to suits seeking only to recover a debt or liquidated demand in money, with or without interest, arising on a written contract, on an enactment for a fixed sum other than a penalty, or on a guarantee where the claim against the principal is a debt or liquidated demand only. A later amendment added suits by an assignee for recovery of receivables.

Order XXXVII: Summary Procedure

  1. 1 Courts and classes of suits to which the Order is to apply
  2. 2 Institution of summary suits
  3. 3 Procedure for the appearance of defendant
  4. 4 Power to set aside decree
  5. 5 Power to order bill, etc., to be deposited with officer of Court
  6. 6 Recovery of cost of noting non-acceptance of dishonoured bill or note
  7. 7 Procedure in suits