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CPC Order 8

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ORDER – VIII

WRITTEN STATEMENT, SET-OF AND COUNTER- CLAIM

1. Written statement —

The defendant shall, at or before the first hearing or within such time as the Court may permit, present a written statement of his defence.

Provided that where the defendant fails to file the written statement within the said period of thirty days, he shall be allowed to file the same on such other day, as may be specified by the Court, for reasons to be recorded in writing, but which shall not be later than ninety days from the date of service of summons.

The meaning of written statement is:

(a) suit of plaintiff

(b) suit of defendant

(d) answer by plaintiff of defendant's suit

Ans. (c)

The period of limitation within which defendant shall submit his written statement is ordinarily within:

(a) 60 days from service of summons

(b) Always 90 days from service of summons

(d) 15 days from service of summons

Ans. (c)

According to Order VIII Rule 1 the defendant shall file the written statement of his defence within:

(a) 30 days

(b) 45 days

(d) 90 days

Ans. (a)

A prayer for extension of time beyond the period of 90 days for filing the written statement

(a) can be oral

(b) has to be in writing

(d) neither (a) nor (b), as the time cannot be extended beyond 90 days

Ans. (d)

Order VIII Rule 1 of the CPC mandates that the defendant shall file the written statement of his defence within:

(a) 60 days from the date of service of summons

(b) 90 days from the date of service of summons

(d) 10 days from the date of service of summons

Ans. (c)

A defendant should present written statement of his defence within thirty days from the service of summons on him. The said period can be extended up to:

(a) 30 days

(b) 60 days

(d) 100 days

Ans. (c)

The defendant is required within thirty days from the date of service of summons on him to present a written statement. However, if he fails to do so within the said period of thirty days, he shall be allowed to file the same on such other day as may be specified by the Court but not exceeding a period of;

(a) 45 days

(b) 60 days

(d) 120 days

Ans. (c)

1A. DUTY OF DEFENDANT TO PRODUCE DOCUMENTS UPON WHICH RELIEF IS CLAIMED OR RELIED UPON HIM—

1. Where the defendant bases his defence upon a document or relies upon any document in his possession or power, in support of his defence or claim for set-off or counter-claim, he shall enter such document in a list, and shall produce it in Court when the written statement is presented by him and shall, at the same time, deliver the document and a copy thereof, to be filed with the written statement.

2. Where any such document is not in the possession or power of the defendant, he shall, wherever possible, state in whose possession or power it is.

3. A document which ought to be produced in Court by the defendant under this rule, but, is not so produced shall not, without the leave of the Court, be received in evidence on his behalf at the hearing of the suit.

4. Nothing in this rule shall apply to documents—

(a) produced for the cross-examination of the plaintiff's witnesses, or

(b) handed over to a witness merely to refresh his memory.

2. New facts must be specially pleaded —

The defendant must raise by his pleading all matters which show the suit not be maintainable, or that the transaction is either void or voidable in point of law, and all such grounds of defence as, if not raised, would be likely to take the opposite party by surprise, or would raise issues of fact not arising out of the plaint, as, for instance, fraud, limitation, release, payment, performance, or facts showing illegality.

3. Denial to be specific —

It shall not be sufficient for a defendant in his written statement to deny generally the grounds alleged by the plaintiff, but the defendant must deal specifically with each allegation of fact of which he does not admit the truth, except damages.

4. Evasive denial —

Where a defendant denies an allegation of fact in the plaint, he must not do so evasively, but answer the point of substance. Thus, if it is alleged that he received a certain sum of money, it shall not be sufficient to deny that he received that particular amount, but he must deny that he received that sum or any part thereof, or else set out how much he received. And if an allegation is made with diverse circumstances, it shall not be sufficient to deny it along with those circumstances.

5. Specific denial —

1. Every allegation of fact in the plaint, if not denied specifically or by necessary implication, or stated to be not admitted in the pleading of the defendant, shall be taken to be admitted except as against a person under disability :

Provided that the Court may in it discretion require any fact so admitted to be proved otherwise than by such admission.

2. Where the defendant has not filed a pleading, it shall be lawful for the Court to pronounce judgment on the basis of the facts contained in the plaint, except as against a person under a disability, but the Court may, in its discretion, require any such fact to be proved.

3. In exercising its discretion under the proviso to sub-rule (1) or under sub-rule (2), the Court shall have due regard to the fact whether the defendant could have, or has, engaged a pleader.

4. Whenever a judgment is pronounced under this rule, a decree shall be drawn up in accordance with such judgment and such decree shall bear the date on which the judgment was pronounced.

6. Particulars of set-off to be given in written statement —

1. Where in a suit for the recovery of money the defendant claims to set-off against the plaintiff's demand any ascertained sum of money legally recoverable by him from the plaintiff, not exceeding the pecuniary limits of the jurisdiction of the Court, and both parties fill the same character as they fill in the plaintiff's suit, the defendant may, at the first hearing of the suit, but not afterwards unless permitted by the Court, presents a written statement containing the particulars of the debt sought to be set-off.

2. Effect of set-off —The written statement shall have the same effect as a plaint in a cross-suit so as to enable the Court to pronounce a final judgment in respect both of the original claim and of the set-off: but this shall not affect the lien, upon the amount decreed, of any pleader in respect of the costs payable to him under the decree.

3. The rules relating to a written statement by a defendant apply to a written statement in answer to a claim of set-off.

Illustrations

(a) A bequeaths Rs. 2,000 to B and appoints C his executor and residuary legatee. B dies and D takes out administration to B's effect, C pays Rs. 1,000 as surety for D: then D sues C for the legacy. C cannot set-off the debt of Rs. 1,000 against the legacy, for neither C nor D fills the same character with respect to the legacy as they fill with respect to the payment of Rs. 1,000.

(b) A dies intestate and in debt to B. C takes out administration to A's effects and B buys part of the effects from C. In a suit for the purchase-money by C against B, the latter cannot set-off the debt against the price, for C fills two different characters, one as the vendor to B, in which he sues B, and the other as representative to A.

(c) A sues B on a bill of exchange. B alleges that A has wrongfully neglected to insure B's goods and is liable to him in compensation which he claims to set-off. The amount not being ascertained cannot be set-off.

(d) A sues B on a bill of exchange for Rs. 500. B holds a judgment against A for Rs. 1,000. The two claims being both definite, pecuniary demands may be set-off.

(e) A sues B for compensation on account of trespass. B holds a promissory note for Rs. 1,000 from A and claims to set-off that amount against any sum that A may recover in the suit. B may do so, for as soon as A recovers, both sums are definite pecuniary demands.

(f) A and B sue C for Rs. 1,000. C cannot set-off a debt due to him by A alone.

(g) A sues B and C for Rs. 1000. B cannot set-off a debt due to him alone by A.

(h) A owes the partnership firm of B and C Rs. 1,000. B dies, leaving C surviving. A sues C for a debt of Rs. 1,500 due in his separate character. C may set-off the debt of Rs. 1,000.

Under Order 8 Rule 6 C.P.C. set-off may be permitted if—

(a) The suit is for recovery of property

(b) Set-off claimed by the defendant is ascertained sum of money

(d) Defendant presents a written statement of the suit

Ans. (b)

Set-off can be

(a) legal set-off

(b) equitable set-off

(d) none of the above

Ans. (c)

'A' and 'B' sue 'C' for recovery of Rs. 1,000. 'C' has a debt due to him by ‘A’ alone. Here ‘C can

(a) set off the debt against 'B'.

(b) set off the debt against 'A'.

(d) cannot set off a debt due to him by 'A' alone.

Ans. (d)

A sues B on a bill of exchange for Rs. 500. B holds a judgment against A for Rs. 1000. The two claims being both definite pecuniary demands may be set off. The illustration is given in:

(a) Order VIII, Rule 5 of Code of Civil Procedure

(b) Order VIII, Rule 6 of Code of Civil Procedure

(d) Order VIII, Rule 9 of Code of Civil Procedure

(e) None of these

Ans. (b)

'Set-off' can be claimed

(a) in any suit

(b) in a recovery of money suit

(d) in both (a) and (b)

Ans. (b)

A sues B on a bill of exchange for Rs. 1000 B holds a judgment against A for Rs. 2000.

(a) Pecuniary demand may be set off because both claims are definite

(b) Claims cannot be set off because issues are different

(d) None of the above

Ans. (a)

Which of the following provision is related with set off under Code of Civil Procedure?

(a) Order VIII Rule 5

(b) Order VIII Rule 6

(d) Order VII Rule 6

Ans. (b)

6A. Counter - claim by defendant —

1. A defendant in a suit may, in addition to his right of pleading a set-off under rule 6, set up, by way of counter-claim against the claim of the plaintiff, any right or claim in respect of a cause of action accruing to the defendant against the plaintiff either before or after the filing of the suit but before the defendant has delivered his defence or before the time limited for delivering his defence has expired, whether such counter-claim is in the nature of a claim for damages or not:

Provided that such counter-claim shall not exceed the pecuniary limits of the jurisdiction of the Court.

2. Such counter-claim shall have the same effect as a cross-suit so as to enable the Court to pronounce a final judgment in the same suit, both on the original claim and on the counter-claim.

3. The plaintiff shall be at liberty to file a written statement in answer to the counter-claim of the defendant within such period as may be fixed by the Court.

4. The counter-claim shall be treated as a plaint and governed by the rules applicable to plaints.

6B. Counter - claim to be stated —

Where any defendant seeks to rely upon any ground as supporting a right of counter-claim, he shall, in his written statement, state specifically that he does so by way of counter-claim.

6C. Exclusion of counter - claim —

Where a defendant sets up a counter-claim and the plaintiff contends that the claim thereby raised ought not to be disposed of by way of counter-claim but in an independent suit, the plaintiff may, at any time before issues are settled in relation to the counter-claim, apply to the Court for an order that such counter-claim may be excluded, and the Court may, on the hearing of such application make such order as it thinks fit.

6D. Effect of discontinuance of suit —

If in any case in which the defendant sets up a counter-claim, the suit of the plaintiff is stayed, discontinued or dismissed,the counter-claim may nevertheless be proceeded with.

6E. Default of plaintiff to reply to counter – claim —

If the plaintiff makes default in putting in reply to the counter-claim made by the defendant, the Court may pronounce judgment against the plaintiff in relation to the counter-claim made against him or make such order in relation to the counter-claim as it thinks fit.

6F. Relief to defendant where counter - claim succeeds —

Where in any suit a set-off or counter-claim is established as defence against the plaintiff's claim and any balance is found due to the plaintiff or the defendant, as the case may be, the Court may give judgment to the party entitled to such balance.

6G. Rules relating to written statement to apply —

The rules relating to a written statement by a defendant shall apply to a written statement filed in answer to a counter-claim.

If in any case in which the defendant sets up counter-claim, the suit of the plaintiff is stayed, discontinued or dismissed the counter claim—

(a) Shall be stayed

(b) Nevertheless, be proceeded with

(d) No specific provision

Ans. (b)

Consider the following statement(s).

i. A defendant may set up, by way of a counter-claim against the claim of the plaintiff any right or claim in respect of the cause of action accruing to him.

ii. The counter-claim may be submitted by the defendant even after he has delivered his defence.

iii. The counter-claim shall not exceed the pecuniary jurisdiction of the court.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) (i) and (ii)

(b) (i) and (iii)

(d) All these

Ans. (b)

Mark the incorrect proposition:

I. Set-off is a statutory defence to a plaintiff's action, whereas a counterclaim is a cross-action.

II. Set-off and counter-claim arises out of the same transaction.

III. Set-off should not be barred on the date of the suit while counter-claim should not be barred on the date of filing of written statement.

IV. Claim for set-off cannot exceed plaintiff's claim, whereas counterclaim can exceed the plaintiffs V. Both set-off and counter-claim cannot exceed the pecuniary jurisdiction of the court.

Codes:

(a) I only

(b) II only

(d) IV only

Ans. (b)

Provisions relating to set off and counter claims under civil procedure code, 1973 are contained in

(a) Order VI

(b) Order VII

(d) Order IX

Ans. (c)

In a written statement, a defendant can claim

(a) set-off

(b) counter-claim

(d) either (a) or (b)

Ans. (c)

Which of the following order of CPC is related to "Set-off" and "counterclaims"

(a) Order VI

(b) Order VIII

(d) Order IX

Ans. (b)

The provisions relating to particulars of the written statement and counter claim is in:

(a) order 8 of Code of Civil Procedure

(b) order 9 of Code of Civil Procedure

(d) order 11 of Code of Civil Procedure

Ans. (a)

7. Defence or set- off founded upon separate grounds —

Where the defendant relies upon several distinct grounds of defence or set-off or counter-claim founded separate and distinct facts, they shall be stated, as far as may be, separately and distinctly.

8. New ground of defence —

Any ground of defence which has arisen after the institution of the suit or the presentation of a written statement claiming a set-off or counter-claim may be raised by the defendant or plaintiff as the case may be, in his written statement.

8A. Duty of defendant to produce documents upon which relief is claimed by him —

Repealed by the Code of Civil Procedure (Amendment)Act,1999(w.e.f-1-7-2002)

9. Subsequent pleadings —

No pleading subsequent to the written statement of a defendant other than by way of defence to a set-off or counter-claim shall be presented except by the leave of the Court and upon such terms as the Court thinks fit, but the Court may at any time require a written statement or additional written statement from any of the parties and fix a time for presenting the same.

10. Procedure when party fails to present written statement called for by Court —

Where any party from whom a written statement is required under rule 1 or 9 fails to present the same within the time, permitted or fixed by the Court, as the case may be, the Court shall pronounce judgment against him ormake such order in relation to the suit as it thinks fit and on the pronouncement of such judgment, a decree shall be drawn up.

On failure to file the written statement, under Order VIII, Rule 10 of C.P.C. the Court

(a) May pronounce the judgment at once

(b) May order for striking off the defence

(d) Either (a) or (b) or (c)

Ans. (d)

Which provision specifically enables the court to pronounce judgment in case the defendant fails to file written statement or subsequent pleadings?

(a) Order X, Rule 8 CPC

(b) Order VIII, Rule 10 CPC

(d) Order XVIII, Rule 10 CPC

Ans. (b)

If the defendant fails to file written statement

(a) the court would hear the suit ex-parte

(b) the court may pass judgment against him

(d) none of the above

Ans. (b)

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CPC Order 8

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