Rules 91 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 X of the Rules, headed "Record of Proceedings", sets out the paperwork of a hearing. The clerk keeps a diary in each case, the Court Master keeps the order sheet and a court diary, parties give the Court Master a list of citations before the hearing, cases are called in serial order, and the Deputy Registrar sees that court work runs smoothly and orders reach the Registry.
The clerk-in-charge keeps a diary in each case, which the Deputy Registrar checks and initials once in a fortnight (rule 91). The Court Master maintains the order sheet in every proceeding containing all orders (rule 92(1)); orders are in English and signed by the Members, except routine orders, which the Court Master signs (rule 92(2)). The Court Master also keeps a court diary for each sitting (rule 93). Parties give the Court Master a list of law journals, reports, statutes and citations before the proceedings begin (rule 94). Cases are called in serial order subject to the Bench (rule 95). The Deputy Registrar sees that the Bench is served well, and that orders reach the Registry immediately (rule 96). 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 91: diaries
- Rule 91(1). Diaries are kept by the clerk-in-charge in the form specified in each appeal, petition or application and written legibly.
- Rule 91(2). The diary in the main file contains a concise history of the matter and the substance of the order passed; in execution proceedings it contains a complete record of all proceedings in execution. It is checked by the Deputy Registrar and initialled once in a fortnight.
Rule 92: order sheet
- Rule 92(1). The Court Master of the Bench maintains an order sheet in every proceeding, containing all orders passed by the Tribunal from time to time.
- Rule 92(2). All orders are in English and signed by the Members constituting the Bench. Proviso: routine orders, such as calling for records, putting up with records, adjourned and any other order the Member directs, are signed by the Court Master.
- Rule 92(3). The order sheet also contains the reference number, the date of order and all incidental details, including the short cause title.
The order sheet is the record a party sees of what the Bench did on each date. For the Registry's notes on service, see the article on rules 105 to 111. If your matter turns on what an order sheet records, our legal dispute resolution team can help you read and use it.
Rule 93: maintenance of court diary
- Rule 93(1). The Court Master maintains legibly a Court Diary in which he records the proceedings of the court for each sitting with respect to applications, petitions or appeals listed in the daily cause list.
- Rule 93(2). The diary records whether the case is adjourned, part-heard, heard and disposed of, or heard and orders reserved, with the dates of the next sitting wherever applicable.
For the cause list itself, see the article on rules 89 and 90.
Rule 94: statutes or citations for reference
Before the commencement of the proceedings for the day, the parties or legal practitioners furnish to the Court Master a list of law journals, reports, statutes and other citations that may be needed for reference, or a photocopy of the full text of them. A practitioner who prepares the list in advance saves time for the Bench.
Rule 95: calling of cases in court
Subject to the orders of the Bench, the Court Master calls the cases listed in the cause list in serial order.
Rule 96: regulation of court work
Rule 96(1): the sitting
When the Tribunal is sitting, the Deputy Registrar ensures:
- (a) that no inconvenience or wastage of time is caused to the Bench in making available the services of the Court Master, stenographer, peon or attender; and
- (b) that the Court Master maintains perfect silence in and around the Court Hall and no disturbance is caused, with proper care to maintain dignity and decorum of the court.
Rule 96(2): after an order
When the Bench passes an order or issues directions, the Court Master ensures that the records of the case with the proceedings or orders are transmitted immediately to the Registry. The Registry verifies the case records against the cause list and takes immediate steps to communicate the directions or orders of the Bench. For what follows once the order is made, see the article on rules 146 to 152; the parallel provisions for appeals before the NCLAT are in Rules 35 to 40 of the NCLAT Rules.
Who keeps which record
| Record | Rule | Kept by | What it holds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diary | 91 | Clerk-in-charge; checked by the Deputy Registrar once in a fortnight | History of the matter, substance of orders; execution record |
| Order sheet | 92 | Court Master | All orders, reference number, date, short cause title |
| Court diary | 93 | Court Master | Proceedings of each sitting; adjourned, part-heard, disposed of or reserved; next date |
| Citations list | 94 | Parties or practitioners | Law journals, reports, statutes and citations, handed over before proceedings |
| Call of cases | 95 | Court Master | Serial order, subject to the Bench |
| Transmission of records | 96(2) | Court Master, then Registry | Immediate transmission; verification against the cause list |
An example
At a hearing, the Bench adjourns Nova Steel Limited's petition to a stated date. The Court Master records "adjourned" with the next date in the court diary, signs the routine order as the proviso to rule 92(2) allows, and sends the file to the Registry immediately. The Registry checks the file against the cause list and communicates the next date. Before the next hearing, counsel gives the Court Master the list of citations he will rely on, with photocopies of the full text.
What a practitioner checks
- That orders on the order sheet match what the Bench said, and that routine orders are signed by the Court Master and others by the Members.
- That the list of citations, with photocopies, is handed to the Court Master before proceedings begin.
- That the next date recorded in the court diary matches the notice from the Registry.
Need help with hearings and records?
The order sheet and diaries are the formal record of a case. For help with a pending matter, speak to our legal dispute resolution team.
Key takeaways
- The clerk keeps a diary in each case, checked by the Deputy Registrar once in a fortnight (rule 91).
- The Court Master keeps the order sheet and signs routine orders; the Members sign the rest (rule 92).
- The Court Master records each sitting in the court diary (rule 93).
- Parties give a list of citations before the proceedings begin (rule 94).
- Cases are called in serial order, subject to the Bench (rule 95).
- Records and orders go to the Registry immediately after an order (rule 96).
Read next
- Rules 89 and 90: daily cause list
- Rules 146 to 152: disposal and pronouncement of orders
- Rules 97 to 104: registers and case files
- Rules 35 to 40 of the NCLAT Rules: diaries and order sheet
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.