Rules 23 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.
After an appeal is presented under rule 22, rules 23 to 26 govern what happens at the counter: how many authenticated copies are filed, who signs and verifies, how non-English documents are handled, and what the Registry does if the papers are defective. The seven-day cure period in rule 26(2) is the rule most appellants meet in practice.
The appellant files three authenticated copies and delivers one copy to each opposite party. Appeals and pleadings carry the name and signature of the authorised representative and are signed and verified by the party. Non-English documents need an English copy, agreed by both sides or certified by the authorised representative. At the counter the appeal is date-stamped, given a diary number and scrutinised. A defective appeal is returned after notice, and if the defect is not cured within seven days from the date of return, it goes before the Registrar, who may pass appropriate orders. 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 23: number of copies
The appellant, petitioner, applicant or respondent files three authenticated copies of the appeal, counter or objections, as the case may be, and delivers one copy to each opposite party. This works alongside rule 22(1), which requires the appeal to be presented in triplicate in Form NCLAT-1; see the article on rule 22.
Rule 24: endorsement and verification
At the foot of every appeal or pleading, the name and signature of the authorised representative must appear. Every appeal or pleading must be signed and verified by the party concerned in the manner provided by the Rules. In Form NCLAT-1 that means the declaration by the appellant and the verification at the end of the form. Section 432 of the Act deals with representation; our post on sections 432 and 433 explains it.
Rule 25: translation of documents
- Rule 25(1). A document in a language other than English that is to be used in a proceeding must be received by the Registry with an English copy that is either agreed to by both parties or certified to be a true translated copy by the authorised representative engaged on behalf of the parties.
- Rule 25(2). The Registrar may order translation, certification and authentication by a person approved by him, on payment of the fee to that person as specified by the Chairperson.
- Rule 25(3). An appeal or other proceeding is not set down for hearing until all parties confirm that all the documents they intend to rely on are in English or have been translated into English, and the required number of copies are filed.
A legal-dispute team preparing the annexures should translate and certify in good time, because rule 25(3) holds up listing, not just filing. Our dispute resolution service handles such document sets for appeals.
Rule 26: endorsement and scrutiny
Rule 26(1): at the filing counter
The person in charge of the filing counter, on receipt of the appeal or document:
- affixes the date and stamp of the Appellate Tribunal on it and on the additional copies of the index;
- returns the acknowledgement to the party;
- affixes his initials on the stamp on the first page of the copies;
- enters the particulars in the register after daily filing;
- assigns a diary number, entered below the date stamp; and
- sends the document for scrutiny.
Rule 26(2): defective documents
If on scrutiny the appeal or document is found defective, it is returned for compliance after notice to the party. If there is a failure to comply within seven days from the date of return, it is placed before the Registrar, who may pass appropriate orders.
Rule 26(3): Registrar's power to return
For sufficient cause the Registrar may return the document for rectification or amendment and may allow the party such reasonable time as he considers necessary, or extend the time for compliance.
Rule 26(4): refusal to register
Where the party fails to take any step to remove the defect within the time fixed, the Registrar may, for reasons recorded in writing, decline to register the appeal, pleading or document.
A defect timeline
| Step | Rule | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Presentation at the counter | 22(1), 26(1) | Date stamp, acknowledgement, diary number |
| Scrutiny | 26(1) | Document sent for scrutiny |
| Return with notice | 26(2) | Defective document returned to the party |
| Cure period | 26(2) | Seven days from the date of return |
| Placed before the Registrar | 26(2) | If not cured, the Registrar may pass appropriate orders |
| Extension | 26(3) | Registrar may allow reasonable time or extend |
| Refusal to register | 26(4) | If no step is taken within the time fixed, reasons in writing |
| Registration | 27 | On admission, the appeal is numbered and registered |
Count the seven days under rule 3, which leaves out the day of return; see the article on rules 3 to 7. Rule 15 also allows the Appellate Tribunal to extend time under the Rules, even after the time has run.
An example
Sagar Pumps Limited files an appeal. At scrutiny, the Registry finds that the annexure in Hindi has no English copy. The appeal is returned after notice. The company has seven days from the date of return to cure the defect. It files a copy certified as a true translation by its authorised representative under rule 25(1) and re-presents the appeal. Had it done nothing, the appeal would have gone to the Registrar, who could pass orders or, for reasons recorded in writing, decline to register it.
Same as before the NCLT?
Rules 23 to 26 correspond to NCLT rules 24 and 26 to 28. Differences: the NCLT translation rule (rule 27(1)), as amended by G.S.R. 1159(E) of 20 December 2016, also lets the authorised representative authenticate the certificate or use a translator approved by the Registrar on payment of charges as the Registrar orders. The NCLAT rule 25 places the Registrar's approved translator and the fee set by the Chairperson in a separate sub-rule (2). The NCLT version of the endorsement rule covers petitions as well as appeals; the NCLAT rule combines the signature and verification points in rule 24. The seven-day cure period is the same. The NCLT rule on appeal against the Registrar's scrutiny order (rule 63) has no counterpart in the NCLAT Rules. See Rules 27 to 30 and 63 of the NCLT Rules.
Need help getting an appeal through scrutiny?
A returned appeal costs time. If you want the papers checked against rules 22 to 26 before they go to the counter, or need defects cured within the period allowed, our dispute resolution team can assist.
Key takeaways
- Three authenticated copies are filed, and one is delivered to each opposite party (rule 23).
- The authorised representative's name and signature appear on the appeal; the party signs and verifies (rule 24).
- Non-English documents need an English copy; no hearing is fixed until all documents are in English (rule 25).
- Defects: returned after notice, seven days from the date of return to comply, then the Registrar's orders (rule 26).
- Failure to cure in time can end in refusal to register, with reasons in writing.
Read next
- Rule 22: presenting an appeal in Form NCLAT-1
- Rules 27-32: registration, corrections and interlocutory applications
- Rules 27-30 and 63 of the NCLT Rules
- Rules 16-18: the Registrar's powers
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.