Rules 89 and 90 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 IX of the Rules is about the cause list, the list of cases a Bench takes up each working day. Rule 89 says the Registry prepares and publishes it on the notice board before closing hours for the next working day, in a fixed order of priority, with a printed title and entries for each case. Rule 90 says what happens to the list when a Bench does not sit.
The Registry prepares and publishes the cause list on its notice board before closing hours on each working day for the next working day, and, subject to the President's directions and unless the Bench orders otherwise, lists cases in this order of priority: pronouncement of orders, clarification, admission, orders or directions, part-heard cases (latest part-heard first) and then cases posted in numerical order or as the Bench directs (rule 89(1)). If a Bench does not function for the day, that day's list carries over to the next working day in addition to cases already posted (rule 90(1)); if a Member is unable to sit, the Registrar adjourns the cases to a convenient date and notifies it on the notice board (rule 90(2)). 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 89: preparation and publication of the daily cause list
Rule 89(1): who, when and in what order
The Registry prepares and publishes the cause list on the notice board of the Registry before the closing of working hours on each working day, for the next working day. For the office and sitting hours, see the article on rules 8 to 13. Subject to the directions of the President, and unless the concerned Bench orders otherwise, cases are listed in this order of priority:
| Order | Category of case |
|---|---|
| (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 |
The order matters for planning, and our legal dispute resolution team can help you plan around it. A matter that is listed only for pronouncement, for instance, comes ahead of a matter for admission, and a part-heard case ranks below both unless the Bench says otherwise.
Rule 89(2): the title of the list
The title of the daily cause list consists of the number of the appeal or petition, the day, date and time of the court sitting, the court hall number and the coram, which names the President, Judicial Member and Technical Member constituting the Bench. A reader can tell from the title which Bench is sitting, where and when.
Rule 89(3): entries against each case
Against the number of each case listed, the list shows: (a) the names of the legal practitioners appearing for both sides, with the rank of the parties whom they represent in brackets; and (b) the names of parties, if unrepresented, with their ranks in brackets. The names come from the vakalatnama or memorandum of appearance filed; see the article on rules 45, 46 and 119 to 124.
Rule 89(4): the remarks column
The objections and special directions of the Registry, if any, are briefly indicated in the remarks column whenever compliance is required. A party whose case shows a remark should clear it before the hearing; see the article on rules 27 to 30 and 63 for scrutiny of defects.
Rule 90: carry forward and adjournment when a Bench does not sit
Rule 90(1): the Bench does not function for the day
If, by reason of the declaration of a holiday or any other unforeseen reason, the Bench does not function for the day, the daily cause list for that day is treated, unless otherwise directed, as the daily cause list for the next working day, in addition to the cases already posted for that day. The next day's list is therefore longer; parties should check the notice board.
Rule 90(2): the Member is unable to sit
When the sitting of a particular Bench is cancelled for the reason of inability of a Member of the Bench, the Registrar shall, unless otherwise directed, adjourn the cases posted before that Bench to a convenient date, and the adjournment or posting or directions are notified on the notice board of the Registry.
The Rules are silent on online lists
The Rules print only the notice board of the Registry. Online cause lists, practice directions and other arrangements may exist, but they are outside these Rules and this article. Check the current notices of the Bench before relying on a listing.
Rules 89 and 90 at a glance
| Point | Rule | Who | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preparing the list | 89(1) | Registry | Before closing of working hours for the next working day |
| Order of listing | 89(1)(a)-(f) | Registry, subject to the President and the Bench | Pronouncement, clarification, admission, orders or directions, part-heard, numerical order |
| Title | 89(2) | Registry | Number, day, date, time, court hall and coram |
| Remarks | 89(4) | Registry | Objections and special directions |
| Bench does not function | 90(1) | Registry | List carries to next working day, added to that day's cases |
| Member unable to sit | 90(2) | Registrar | Cases adjourned to a convenient date; notice board notified |
An example
Bench 2 of the Tribunal has a cause list for Tuesday with an order for pronouncement, two admission matters and a part-heard petition. On Tuesday morning the Bench does not sit because of a declared holiday. Under rule 90(1), Tuesday's list becomes part of Wednesday's list, in addition to the cases already posted for Wednesday. Had the Bench not sat because a Member was unable to attend, the Registrar would have adjourned the cases to a convenient date and put the new dates on the notice board.
What a practitioner checks
- The cause list published on the Registry's notice board for the next working day.
- Where the case stands in the order of priority, and whether a remark in the last column needs compliance.
- Whether a missed sitting means the list is carried forward or the case is adjourned to a date.
- That the practitioners' names and the rank of each party are right against the case number.
Need help with listing and hearings?
A case that is listed late or carried forward needs follow-up at the Registry. For help with a pending matter, speak to our legal dispute resolution team.
Key takeaways
- The Registry publishes the cause list on its notice board before closing hours for the next working day (rule 89(1)).
- The order of priority runs from pronouncement to numerical order, with part-heard cases in between (rule 89(1)).
- The list title names the case number, date, time, court hall and coram (rule 89(2)).
- If a Bench does not function, the list carries to the next working day; if a Member cannot sit, the Registrar adjourns cases and notifies the notice board (rule 90).
Read next
- Rules 8 to 13: sittings, hours and urgent listing
- Rules 91 to 96: order sheet and court diary
- Rules 33 and 34 of the NCLAT Rules: cause list and adjournment
- Appearing before the NCLT: procedure and tips
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.