Rules 33 and 34 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 IV of the Rules deals with the cause list, the daily list of matters to be heard. Rule 33 says who prepares it, when it is published, in what order cases are listed and what it must show. Rule 34 says what happens to the list if the Appellate Tribunal does not function on a day or a Bench is cancelled.
The Registry prepares the cause list for the next working day and publishes it on the Registry's notice board before the closing of working hours. Unless the Bench orders otherwise, cases are listed in a fixed order: pronouncement, clarification, admission, orders or directions, part-heard, then numerical order. Each entry shows the representatives for both sides and any Registry objections in the remarks column. If the Tribunal does not sit on a day, that day's list is carried forward to the next working day; if one Bench is cancelled because a Member cannot sit, the Registrar adjourns its cases to a convenient date. 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 33: preparation and publication of the daily cause list
Rule 33(1): who publishes, when, and in what order
The Registry prepares and publishes on the Registry's notice board, before the closing of working hours on each working day, the cause list for the next working day. Subject to the directions of the Chairperson, and unless the concerned Bench orders otherwise, cases are listed in this order of priority:
| Priority | Category |
|---|---|
| (a) | cases for pronouncement of orders |
| (b) | cases for clarification |
| (c) | cases for admission |
| (d) | cases for orders or directions |
| (e) | part-heard cases, the latest part-heard having precedence |
| (f) | cases posted as per numerical order or as directed by the Bench |
Two points are worth noting. The order is a default, not a fixed timetable for the day: the Bench may order otherwise. And "latest part-heard having precedence" means that among part-heard matters, the one most recently part-heard comes first.
For practitioners, the useful link is with rule 91 on pronouncement: when an order is reserved, the date of pronouncement is notified in the cause list, which is a valid notice of intimation; see the article on pronouncement of orders. Our dispute resolution team can follow the cause list for your appeal.
Rule 33(2): the title of the list
The title of the daily cause list shows the number of the appeal, the day, date and time of the sitting, the Bench hall number and the coram, that is, the names of the Chairperson, Judicial Member and Technical Members constituting the Bench.
Rule 33(3): what each entry shows
Against the number of each case listed:
- the names of the legal practitioners or authorised representatives appearing for both sides, with the designation of the party each represents shown in brackets; and
- the names of the parties, if unrepresented, with their ranks in brackets.
Rule 33(4): Registry remarks
Objections and special directions, if any, of the Registry are briefly indicated in the remarks column of the cause list wherever compliance is required. An appellant whose appeal appears with a Registry remark should read it as a prompt to comply before the hearing.
Rule 34: carry-forward and adjournment when the Tribunal does not sit
| Situation | What the rule provides |
|---|---|
| Rule 34(1): holiday declared, or any other unforeseen reason, the Appellate Tribunal does not function for the day | Unless otherwise directed, that day's cause list is treated as the cause list for the next working day, in addition to cases already posted for that day |
| Rule 34(2): a particular Bench's sitting is cancelled because a Member of the Bench is unable to sit | Unless otherwise directed, the Registrar adjourns the cases posted before that Bench to a convenient date |
| Rule 34(3): any adjournment, posting or directions | Notified on the notice board |
This is a separate power from the general adjournment rule 17, which says adjournments are normally sought before the Bench in court and that the Registrar may adjourn only in extraordinary circumstances on the Tribunal's direction. See the article on the Registrar's powers.
An example
Lotus Dairy Limited has an appeal listed for admission on Tuesday. On Monday evening the Registry publishes the list for Tuesday on the notice board. Overnight an unforeseen event stops the Appellate Tribunal functioning on Tuesday. Under rule 34(1), the Tuesday list becomes part of the Wednesday list, on top of the cases already posted for Wednesday. Had only the Bench hearing Lotus Dairy's matter been cancelled because a Member could not sit, the Registrar would adjourn its cases to a convenient date under rule 34(2) and put a notice on the board under rule 34(3).
Same as before the NCLT?
These rules mirror NCLT rules 89 and 90 almost word for word. Differences of wording: the NCLT list names the "President" in the coram where the NCLAT list names the "Chairperson"; the NCLT rule shows "legal practitioners" with the "rank" of the party, while the NCLAT rule shows "legal practitioners or authorised representative" with the "designation" of the party; and the NCLT carry-forward rule combines the notice-board point into the sub-rule on a cancelled sitting, while the NCLAT rule gives it its own sub-rule (3). See Rules 89 and 90 of the NCLT Rules. The NCLAT cause list is read with the listing of urgent matters in rule 13, covered in the article on sitting hours and urgent listing.
Need help following your appeal through the cause list?
Knowing where your appeal sits in the list, and what a Registry remark requires, helps you prepare. For support with the listing and hearing stages of an appeal, see our dispute resolution service.
Key takeaways
- The cause list for the next working day is published on the Registry notice board before the close of working hours (rule 33(1)).
- The default order: pronouncement, clarification, admission, orders or directions, part-heard, numerical order.
- Each entry shows representatives, or parties if unrepresented, and Registry remarks where compliance is required.
- If the Tribunal does not sit, the day's list is carried to the next working day (rule 34(1)).
- If a Bench is cancelled because a Member cannot sit, the Registrar adjourns its cases and notifies the board.
Read next
- Rules 8-15: sitting hours and urgent listing
- Rules 35-40: diaries, order sheet and regulation of Bench work
- Rules 89-90 of the NCLT Rules
- Appearing before the NCLAT
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.