Text of ORDER 37, RULE 1-7

ORDER XXXVII SUMMARY PROCEDURE ON NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENTS

RULE 1. Application of Order.
This order shall apply only to the High Court [, to the District Court, and to any other Civil Court notified in this behalf by the High Court].

RULE 2. Institution of summary suits upon bills of exchange, etc.
(1) All suits upon bills of exchange, hundies or promissory notes may, in case the plaintiff desires to proceed hereunder, be instituted by presenting a plaint in the form prescribed; but the summons shall be in Form No.4 in Appendix B or in such other form as may be from time to time prescribed.
(2) In any case in which the plaint and summons are in such forms, respectively the defendant shall not appear or defend the suit unless he obtains leave from a Judge as hereinafter provided so to appear and defend; and, in default of his obtaining such leave or of his appearance and defence in pursuance thereof, the allegations in the plaint shall be deemed to be admitted, and the plaintiff shall be entitled to a decree:
(a) for the principal sum due on the instrument and for interest calculated in accordance with the provisions of section 79 or section 80, as the case may be, of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, (XXVI of 1881) up to the date of the institution of the suit, or for the sum mentioned in the summons, whichever is less, and for interest up to the date of the decree at the same rate or at such other rate as the Court thinks fit; and
(b) for such subsequent interest, if any, as the Court may order under section 34 of this Code; and
(c) for such sum for costs as may be prescribed:
Provided that, if the plaintiff claims more than such fixed sum for costs, the costs shall be ascertained in the ordinary way.
(3) A decree passed under this rule may be executed forthwith.

RULE 3. Defendant showing defence on merit to have leave to appear.
(1) The Court shall, upon application by the defendant, give leave to appear and to defend the suit, upon affidavits which disclose such facts as would make it incumbent on the holder to prove consideration, or such other facts as the Court may deem sufficient to support the application.
(2) Leave to defend may be given unconditionally or subject to such terms as to payment into Court, giving security, framing and recording issues or otherwise as the Court thinks fit.
(3) The provisions of section 5 of the Limitation Act, 1908 (IX of 1908), shall apply to applications under sub-rule (1).

RULE 4. Power to set aside decree.
After decree the Court may, under special circumstances, set aside the decree, and if necessary stay or set aside execution, and may give leave to the defendant to appear to the summons and to defend the suit, if it seems reasonable to the Court so to do, and on such terms as the Court thinks fit.

RULE 5. Power to order bill, etc., to be deposited with officer of Court.
In any proceedings under this Order the Court may order the bill, hundi or note on which the suit is founded to be forthwith deposited with an officer of the Court, and may further order that all proceedings shall be stayed until the plaintiff gives security for the costs thereof.

RULE 6. Recovery of cost of noting non-acceptance of dishonoured bill or note.
The holder of every dishonoured bill of exchange or promissory note shall have the same remedies for the recovery of the expenses incurred in noting the same for non-acceptance or non-payment, or otherwise, by reason of such dishonour, as he has under this Order for the recovery of the amount of such bill or note.

RULE 7. Procedure in suits.
Save as provided by this Order, the procedure in suits hereunder shall be the same as the procedure in suits instituted in the ordinary manner.