Rules 27 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 a petition is presented, the Registry checks it. Rules 27 to 30 deal with translations, the date stamp and diary number, the scrutiny and the seven-day cure of defects, registration, and calling for records. Rule 63, placed in Part VI, gives a person aggrieved by the Registrar's decision on scrutiny an appeal within fifteen days.
A document not in English comes with an English copy, agreed by both parties or certified by the authorised representative engaged in the case or by a translator approved by the Registrar (rule 27(1), as amended by G.S.R. 1159(E) of 20 December 2016). At the counter the filing is date-stamped, given a diary number and scrutinised (rule 28). A defective filing is returned after notice, and if it is not cured within seven days from the date of return, it goes before the Registrar. A person aggrieved by the Registrar's decision may appeal within fifteen days to the President at the Principal Bench, or elsewhere to a Member designated by the President, whose decision is final (rule 63). The Rules are read as amended up to the National Company Law Tribunal (Amendment) Rules, 2020 (G.S.R. 80(E), 3 February 2020).
Rule 27: translation of document
Rule 27(1), as amended
A document in a language other than English, intended to be used in any proceeding, is received by the Registry with an English copy, which is:
- agreed to by both the parties; or
- certified to be a true translated copy by the authorised representative engaged on behalf of the parties in the case; or
- "if the authorised representative engaged in the case authenticates such certificate or prepared by a translator approved for the purpose by the Registrar on payment of such charges as he may order".
G.S.R. 1159(E) of 20 December 2016 replaced the earlier words that allowed certification "by any other advocate or authorised representative whether engaged in the case or not" with the last limb above. The earlier wording is not the rule now.
Rule 27(2): no hearing without English documents
An appeal, petition or other proceeding is not set down for hearing until all parties confirm that all the documents they rely on are in English or have been translated, and the required number of copies are filed.
Rule 28: endorsement and scrutiny
- Rule 28(1). The person in charge of the filing counter, on receipt, affixes the date stamp of the Tribunal on the filing and on the additional copies of the index, returns the acknowledgement, initials the stamp on the first page, enters the particulars in the register after daily filing, assigns a diary number below the date stamp and sends it for scrutiny.
- Rule 28(2). If the filing is found defective on scrutiny, 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 28(3). For sufficient cause the Registrar may return the document for rectification or amendment and allow reasonable time or extend the time.
- Rule 28(4). 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 pleading or document.
Rule 29: registration of proceedings admitted
On admission of an appeal, petition, caveat or application, it is numbered and registered in the appropriate register and the number is entered. Our dispute resolution team checks a filing against rules 20 to 28 before it goes to the counter.
Rule 30: calling for records
On admission, the Registrar, if so directed by the Tribunal, calls for the records relating to the proceedings from any adjudicating authority and retransmits them.
Rule 63: presentation and scrutiny: appeal against the Registrar
If any person is aggrieved by the decision of the Registrar (or the officer officiating as Registrar of the Benches) on scrutiny of petitions or applications under Part III and elsewhere in the Rules, an appeal against the Registrar's order is made within fifteen days of the making of the order:
- at the Principal Bench, to the President;
- at other places, to any Member of the Bench designated by the President.
The decision on the appeal is final.
The fifteen days run from the making of the Registrar's order, and are counted under rule 3. If the period is missed, rules 15 and 153 allow the Tribunal to extend time; see the article on rules 14, 15, 58 and 153.
Defect to registration: the periods
| Step | Rule | What happens | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation | 23, 28(1) | Date stamp, acknowledgement, diary number | On receipt |
| Scrutiny | 28(1) | Sent for scrutiny | Not stated |
| Return with notice | 28(2) | Defective filing returned | Not stated |
| Cure | 28(2) | Party complies | Seven days from the date of return |
| Registrar | 28(2)-(4) | Appropriate orders; may extend; may decline to register for reasons in writing | As fixed |
| Appeal against the Registrar | 63 | To the President or designated Member | Fifteen days from the order |
| Registration | 29 | Numbered and entered in the register | On admission |
An example
Maple Valley Estates Private Limited files an application with an annexure in Marathi and no English copy. At scrutiny the filing is returned after notice for compliance. The company files an English copy certified by its authorised representative within seven days of return and the filing is registered. Had the Registrar instead declined to register for reasons in writing, the company could appeal within fifteen days of that order to the President (at the Principal Bench) or to the designated Member elsewhere.
Same as before the NCLAT?
The seven-day cure is the same in NCLAT rule 26. The NCLAT translation rule 25(1) says only that the English copy is agreed or certified by the authorised representative engaged in the case, and puts the Registrar-approved translator and fee specified by the Chairperson in a separate sub-rule (2). The NCLAT Rules have no counterpart to NCLT rule 63. See Rules 23 to 26 of the NCLAT Rules.
What a practitioner checks
- That every non-English document has an English copy that is agreed or properly certified (rule 27(1)).
- That the filing is complete in all respects before the counter (see also rule 13 on urgent matters).
- That the seven days from return are diarised, and that any appeal against the Registrar is within fifteen days.
Need help getting a filing through scrutiny?
A returned filing costs time. If you want your petition checked against the Rules before it is presented, or need help with defects and an appeal against a Registrar's order, speak to our dispute resolution team.
Key takeaways
- Non-English documents need an English copy, agreed or properly certified (rule 27(1), as amended in 2016).
- No hearing is fixed until all documents are in English (rule 27(2)).
- A defective filing is returned after notice; seven days from the date of return to cure (rule 28(2)).
- The Registrar may decline to register, for reasons recorded in writing (rule 28(4)).
- Appeal against the Registrar's order: within fifteen days, to the President or a designated Member; the decision is final (rule 63).
Read next
- Rules 3-7: computing time
- Rules 31-33: interlocutory applications and association petitions
- Rules 14, 15, 58 and 153: extension of time
- Rules 23-26 of the NCLAT Rules
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.