Rules 16 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 II of the Rules is about the Registrar of the Appellate Tribunal. Rule 16 lists what the Registrar does, rule 17 says where adjournments are asked for, and rule 18 lets the Chairperson hand the Registrar's work to a Deputy Registrar or another officer. Together they tell a litigant which applications go to the Registry and which must be made in court.
The Registrar registers appeals, petitions and applications and receives applications for amendment, fresh or short-date summons and notices, substituted service, and orders on admission and inspection of documents. The Registrar also transmits orders to a civil court for execution. Adjournments are normally sought before the Bench in court; only in extraordinary circumstances, and if the Tribunal in chambers so directs, may the Registrar adjourn a matter. The Chairperson may delegate any of these functions. The Rules are read as amended up to the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (Amendment) Rules, 2017 (G.S.R. 1061(E), 23 August 2017).
Rule 16: powers and functions of the Registrar
Rule 16 lists eight items, (a) to (h). In plain terms:
| Clause | What the Registrar does |
|---|---|
| (a) | registers appeals, petitions and applications |
| (b) | receives applications for amendment of an appeal, petition, application or subsequent proceedings |
| (c) | receives applications for fresh summons or notices and regarding services thereof |
| (d) | receives applications for fresh summons or notice and for short date summons and notices |
| (e) | receives applications for substituted service of summons or notices |
| (f) | receives applications seeking orders concerning the admission and inspection of documents |
| (g) | transmits a direction or order to the civil court, as directed by the Appellate Tribunal, with the prescribed certificate for execution |
| (h) | handles other incidental matters the Chairperson may direct from time to time |
Clauses (c) and (d) overlap in wording; both speak of fresh summons or notices, and (d) adds short-date summons and notices. Read together, they cover fresh summons, fresh notices and shorter dates.
What this means in practice
- Registration. The Registrar's role in registering is the step that follows scrutiny at the filing counter under rules 26 and 27. See the article on scrutiny of defects.
- Applications received, not decided. Clauses (b) to (f) say the Registrar "receives" applications. The rule does not say the Registrar decides all of them; where other rules give the Registrar an order-making role (for example, orders on defects in rule 26 or the grant of inspection in rule 58), they say so in terms.
- Execution through a civil court. Clause (g) is a transmission power, exercised when the Appellate Tribunal directs it, with the prescribed certificate. The Rules have no further procedure for execution here.
If your appeal needs a fresh notice or a different mode of service, the application goes through the Registrar's side of the Registry. That procedure is explained in the article on notice of appeals, and for a step-by-step view of how your appeal moves through the Registry our legal consultation service can help.
Rule 17: power of adjournment
Rule 17 has two parts:
- All adjournments shall normally be sought before the concerned Bench in court.
- In extraordinary circumstances, the Registrar may, if so directed by the Tribunal in chambers, at any time adjourn any matter and lay it before the Tribunal in chambers.
So a request for a new date is first a matter for court, not for the Registry counter. The Registrar's power is conditional: it depends on a direction from the Tribunal in chambers and on extraordinary circumstances. Rule 34(2) gives the Registrar a separate, narrower power to adjourn cases when a Bench cannot sit because a Member is unable to attend; that is covered in the article on the cause list.
Rule 18: delegation of powers of the Chairperson
The Chairperson may assign or delegate to a Deputy Registrar or to any other suitable officer all or some of the functions that the Rules require the Registrar to exercise. Two consequences:
- A function of the Registrar may be exercised by a Deputy Registrar or another suitable officer if the Chairperson has delegated it. The Rules do not say how the delegation is recorded or notified.
- The delegation can be partial: "all or some" of the functions.
Several later rules mention the Deputy Registrar by name, for example for checking diaries (rule 35), arranging inspection (rule 61) and scrutinising orders (rule 95).
Same as before the NCLT?
The Registrar's list in rule 16 matches rule 17(1) of the NCLT Rules, clause for clause, and rule 17 matches rule 17(2) there. Two differences in structure. First, the NCLT Rules spread this subject over four rules: the President's functions (rule 16), the Registrar's functions (rule 17), the Secretary's functions (rule 18) and delegation by the President (rule 19). The NCLAT Rules have no rule on the Chairperson's own functions or on a Secretary. Second, the NCLAT delegation rule names a "Deputy Registrar or any other suitable officer", while the NCLT rule says "any suitable officer". See Rules 16 to 19 of the NCLT Rules.
A short example
Orion Pharma Limited, the appellant, wants a fresh notice sent to a respondent after the first one came back unserved. Its authorised representative applies through the Registry (rule 16(c) and (d)). Later, the company wants more time because its counsel is unwell. That request is an adjournment: under rule 17 it is normally sought before the Bench in court, not at the Registry.
Need help with filings that go through the Registry?
Applications for fresh notice, amendment or inspection each follow their own rule and form. If you want a second pair of eyes on what to file, and with whom, speak to us about legal consultation for your appeal.
Key takeaways
- The Registrar registers and receives applications; the Rules list eight functions in rule 16.
- Adjournments are normally sought before the Bench; the Registrar may adjourn only in extraordinary circumstances and on direction of the Tribunal in chambers.
- The Chairperson may delegate any or all of the Registrar's functions to a Deputy Registrar or a suitable officer.
- The NCLAT Rules have no separate rule on the Chairperson's functions or a Secretary.
Read next
- Rules 8-15: sitting, hours and urgent listing
- Rules 23-26: copies, verification and scrutiny of defects
- Rules 33-34: the daily cause list and adjournment
- Rules 16-19 of the NCLT Rules
Disclaimer: Based on the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal Rules, 2016 (G.S.R. 717(E)) as amended up to the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (Amendment) Rules, 2017 (G.S.R. 1061(E)), consulted on 3 October 2026. Later amendments, fees, forms, NCLAT 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.