Rules 114 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Part XIV of the Rules gives parties a right to inspect the record of their own case and lets others inspect with the Registrar's written permission. The application is presented two days ahead, inspection happens during fixed hours under supervision, notes are made only in pencil, and every inspection is signed for in an inspection register.
The parties or their authorised representatives may inspect the case record by writing to the Registrar and paying the prescribed fee; a non-party may do so with the Registrar's written permission, subject to the President's orders (rule 114). Inspection is allowed only on the Registrar's order (rule 115). The application is presented between 10.30 AM and 3.00 PM on any working day, two days before the day sought, unless the Registrar permits otherwise; a pending case is not ordinarily inspected on the hearing date or the day before (rule 116). Inspection runs 10.30 AM to 12.30 PM and 2.30 PM to 4.30 PM under supervision, with pencil notes only (rule 117). The Deputy Registrar keeps an inspection register, signed by the inspector (rule 118). Read as amended up to the National Company Law Tribunal (Amendment) Rules, 2020 (G.S.R. 80(E), 3 February 2020); these rules were not amended. Later amendments should be checked.
Rule 114: inspection of the records
- Rule 114(1). The parties to any case or their authorised representative may be allowed to inspect the record by making an application in writing to the Registrar and paying the prescribed fee.
- Rule 114(2). Subject to terms the President directs by a general or special order, a person who is not a party may also be allowed to inspect after obtaining the written permission of the Registrar.
The Rules do not state the amount of the inspection fee in the rules on inspection, and the Schedule of Fees has no serial devoted to it. For the Schedule, see the article on rule 112 and the Schedule of Fees. If you are reviewing a target's Tribunal history as part of due diligence, our legal due diligence team can help you work out what a record inspection can and cannot show.
Rule 115: grant of inspection
Inspection of records of a pending or decided case before the Tribunal is allowed only on the order of the Registrar. Both pending and decided cases are covered, so a closed file can also be inspected, subject to the retention periods in rules 103 and 104; see the article on rules 97 to 104.
Rule 116: application for grant of inspection
- Rule 116(1). An application for inspection under sub-rules (1) and (2) of rule 114 is presented at the Registry between 10.30 AM and 3.00 PM on any working day, and two days before the date on which inspection is sought, unless otherwise permitted by the Registrar.
- Rule 116(2). The Registry submits the application with its remarks to the Registrar, who, on consideration, passes appropriate orders.
- Rule 116(3). Inspection of records of a pending case is not ordinarily permitted on the date fixed for hearing or on the preceding day.
Rule 117: mode of inspection
- Rule 117(1). On grant of permission, the Deputy Registrar arranges to procure the records and allows inspection on the date and time fixed by the Registrar between 10.30 AM and 12.30 PM and between 2.30 PM and 4.30 PM, in the immediate presence of an officer authorised by the Registrar.
- Rule 117(2). The inspecting person shall not cause dislocation, mutilation, tampering or damage to the records.
- Rule 117(3). The person shall not make any marking on any record or paper inspected; notes of the documents may be taken only in pencil.
- Rule 117(4). The person supervising may at any time prohibit further inspection if records are likely to be damaged, or the inspecting person has violated or attempted to violate the Rules. He reports immediately to the Registrar, seeks further orders, and notes are made in the Inspection Register.
Rule 118: register of inspection
The Deputy Registrar causes a Register for inspection of documents or records to be maintained and obtains in it the signature of the person making the inspection, as well as on the application, at the conclusion of inspection.
Request steps and timings
| Step | Rule | Timing or detail |
|---|---|---|
| Written application to the Registrar | 114(1), 116(1) | Presented 10.30 AM to 3.00 PM on a working day, two days before the inspection date |
| Non-party | 114(2) | Written permission of the Registrar, subject to the President's orders |
| Registry remarks and Registrar's order | 116(2), 115 | Inspection only on the Registrar's order |
| Pending case | 116(3) | Not ordinarily on the hearing date or the preceding day |
| Inspection | 117(1) | 10.30 AM to 12.30 PM and 2.30 PM to 4.30 PM, before an authorised officer |
| Conduct | 117(2)-(3) | No damage or marking; pencil notes only |
| Stoppage | 117(4) | Supervisor may prohibit further inspection and report to the Registrar |
| Register | 118 | Inspector signs the register and the application |
An example
Fairway Equities Private Limited is a respondent in a pending petition, with a hearing on the 20th. Its authorised representative applies in writing on the 15th, at 2.45 PM, for inspection on the 17th, so the two days are met. The Registrar passes an order; on the 17th, between 10.30 AM and 12.30 PM, the Deputy Registrar produces the file and an authorised officer sits by. The representative makes notes in pencil only and signs the Inspection Register at the end. An application to inspect on the 19th, the day before the hearing, would not ordinarily be allowed under rule 116(3).
What a practitioner checks
- That the application is in writing, presented in the 10.30 AM to 3.00 PM window, at least two days ahead, with the fee.
- That a non-party has the Registrar's written permission.
- That inspection is not sought on the hearing date or the day before in a pending case.
- That the notes are in pencil, and the inspection register is signed.
Need help reviewing a Tribunal file?
A record inspection can show the order sheet, pleadings and filings in a matter. If you are checking a company's litigation history, speak to our legal due diligence team.
Key takeaways
- Parties or their authorised representatives may inspect on a written application and fee; non-parties need the Registrar's written permission (rule 114).
- Inspection is allowed only on the Registrar's order (rule 115).
- The application is presented two days ahead, between 10.30 AM and 3.00 PM, and not ordinarily on or before the hearing date in a pending case (rule 116).
- Inspection hours are 10.30 AM to 12.30 PM and 2.30 PM to 4.30 PM, with pencil notes only (rule 117).
- The inspector signs the Inspection Register (rule 118).
Read next
- Rules 97 to 104: registers, case files and preservation
- Rule 112 and the Schedule of Fees
- Rules 57 to 62 of the NCLAT Rules: inspection of records
- Rules 91 to 96: diaries and order sheet
Disclaimer: Based on the National Company Law Tribunal Rules, 2016 (G.S.R. 716(E)) as amended up to the National Company Law Tribunal (Amendment) Rules, 2020 (G.S.R. 80(E)), consulted on 3 October 2026. Later amendments, fees, forms, NCLT practice directions and the Companies Act, 2013 provisions referred to should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.