Rules 146–152 of the National Company Law Tribunal Rules, 2016: disposal after hearing, the operative portion of an order, corrections, costs, pronouncement and pronouncement by one Member on behalf of the Bench

Rules 146 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 XIX of the Rules says how the Tribunal disposes of a case and pronounces its orders. The Tribunal hears the parties and passes orders, states its directions in the last paragraph, initials corrections, may impose costs, pronounces the order at once or not later than thirty days from the final hearing, and in some situations a single Member pronounces it.

After giving the parties a reasonable opportunity of being heard, the Tribunal passes the orders it thinks fit; on an appeal it may summarily dismiss for recorded reasons if there are no sufficient grounds (rule 146). Orders and directions are stated in clear and precise terms in the last paragraph (rule 147). The Tribunal pronounces its order at once or as soon as practicable but not later than thirty days from the final hearing (rule 150(1)); every order is in writing, signed and dated, bears the Tribunal's seal and a certified copy goes to the parties (rule 150(2)-(5)). Any Member of the Bench may pronounce the order on behalf of the Bench (rule 151), and the President may authorise another Member if the Bench's Members are not available (rule 152). 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 146: disposal of cases

On receipt of an application, petition, appeal and the like, the Tribunal, after giving the parties a reasonable opportunity of being heard, passes such orders as it thinks fit. Proviso: after considering an appeal, the Tribunal may summarily dismiss it, for reasons to be recorded, if it is of the opinion that there are no sufficient grounds for proceeding. The summary dismissal power is in the proviso to this rule. For section 420 of the Act on orders and their rectification, see our guide to section 420 and, for expeditious disposal, our guide to sections 422 and 423.

Rule 147: operative portion of the order

All orders or directions of the Bench are stated in clear and precise terms in the last paragraph of the order. A party reading an order should therefore go to the last paragraph for what must be done.

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Rule 148: corrections

Every Member of the Bench who has prepared the order initials all corrections and affixes his initials at the bottom of each page.

Rule 149: power to impose costs

The Tribunal may, in its discretion, pass such order imposing costs on the defaulting party as it deems fit. This is the general power; the more detailed rule on costs and exemplary costs is rule 113, covered in the article on rules 59 and 113.

Rule 150: pronouncement of order

• Rule 150(1). After hearing the applicant and respondent, the Tribunal makes and pronounces an order either at once or as soon thereafter as practicable but not later than thirty days from the final hearing.
• Rule 150(2). Every order is in writing, signed and dated by the President or the Member or Members constituting the Bench that heard the case and pronounced the order.
• Rule 150(3). A certified copy of every order is given to the parties; see rule 50 in the article on rules 50, 51 and 53 to 55.
• Rule 150(4). The Tribunal may transmit its order to any court for enforcement, on application by either party to the order or suo motu.
• Rule 150(5). Every order, judgment or notice bears the seal of the Tribunal.

The thirty days run from the final hearing. The rule does not say what follows if the period lapses. If you need to track the date of a reserved order, our legal dispute resolution team can help.

Rule 151: pronouncement by any one Member of the Bench

• Rule 151(1). Any Member of the Bench may pronounce the order for and on behalf of the Bench.
• Rule 151(2). When an order is pronounced under this rule, the Court Master makes a note in the order sheet that the order of the Bench consisting of the President and Members was pronounced in open court on behalf of the Bench.

Rule 152: authorising any Member to pronounce an order

• Rule 152(1). If the Members who heard the case are not readily available or have ceased to be Members, the President may authorise any other Member to pronounce the order on his behalf after being satisfied that the order has been duly prepared and signed by all the Members who heard the case.
• Rule 152(2). The order pronounced by the authorised Member is deemed to be duly pronounced.
• Rule 152(3). The authorised Member signs the order sheet, stating that he has pronounced the order as the rule provides.
• Rule 152(4). If the order cannot be signed by one of the Members who heard the case because of death, retirement, resignation or any other reason, it is deemed released from part-heard and listed afresh for hearing.

For signing, dissent and recusal, see the article on rules 60 to 62. For the order sheet entries, see the article on rules 91 to 96. The NCLAT's parallel rules are in Rules 88 to 93 of the NCLAT Rules.

From hearing to enforcement

An example

The Bench hears Lotus Biotech Limited's petition on 3 June and reserves orders. The order must be pronounced not later than thirty days from the final hearing. It is written, signed and dated by the Members and sealed; the operative directions are in its last paragraph. On the day, one Member pronounces it on behalf of the Bench, and the Court Master notes that in the order sheet. A certified copy goes to the parties. If one Member has since retired, the President may authorise another Member to pronounce it after satisfying himself that all Members who heard the case signed.

What a practitioner checks

• The date of the final hearing and the thirty-day outer limit for pronouncement.
• That the last paragraph states the directions clearly, and corrections are initialled.
• That the order is signed, dated and sealed, and the certified copy is collected.
• Whether the order is to be transmitted to a court for enforcement.

Need help after the final hearing?

Pronouncement, certified copies and enforcement all follow a timetable. For help with reserved orders, copies and the next step, speak to our legal dispute resolution team.

Key takeaways

• The Tribunal passes orders after a reasonable opportunity of being heard; an appeal may be summarily dismissed for recorded reasons (rule 146).
• Directions are in the last paragraph (rule 147).
• The order is pronounced at once or not later than thirty days from the final hearing (rule 150(1)).
• Orders are written, signed, dated and sealed; a certified copy goes to the parties (rule 150).
• Any Member may pronounce for the Bench, and the President may authorise another Member (rules 151, 152).

Read next

• Rules 60 to 62: signing, dissent and recusal
• Rules 59 and 113: penalty and costs
• Rules 154 to 158: rectification and format of orders
• Section 420: orders of the Tribunal

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.