Rules 94 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 order is pronounced, rules 94 to 99 govern the paperwork: the Court Master's entries, the transmission of the order to the Deputy Registrar and the Registry, the typing format of the order, the indexing of the file, movement of files under acknowledgement, and the library copies of final orders. Several of these set out the internal steps that lead to the copies a party receives.
Immediately on pronouncement the Court Master endorses the case file with the date, nature of disposal and Bench, and makes entries in the diary (rule 94). The Court Master transmits the order with the file to the Deputy Registrar, who scrutinises it, initials it with date and passes it to the Registry to prepare copies for the parties (rule 95). Orders are double spaced on one side of A-4 folio paper with a 5 cm left margin and a 2.5 cm right margin, signed by Members in order of seniority from right to left (rule 96). Files move only against acknowledgement in the movement register (rule 98), and final orders are sent to the library (rule 99). 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 94: making of entries by the Court Master
Immediately on pronouncement of an order, the Court Master makes the necessary endorsement on the case file regarding the date of pronouncement, the nature of disposal and the constitution of the Bench pronouncing the order. The Court Master also makes the necessary entries in the diary maintained by him. The diary is described in the article on rules 35 to 40.
Rule 95: transmission of order by the Court Master
- Rule 95(1). The Court Master, immediately on pronouncement, transmits the order with the case file to the Deputy Registrar.
- Rule 95(2). The Deputy Registrar, after due scrutiny, satisfies himself that the provisions of the Rules have been duly complied with and, in token of it, affixes his initials with date on the outer cover of the order.
- Rule 95(3). The Deputy Registrar then transmits the case file and the order to the Registry to prepare copies and communicate them to the parties.
The sequence matters to a litigant who is waiting for a copy: pronouncement, endorsement, scrutiny by the Deputy Registrar, then preparation of copies at the Registry. The Rules set no time for these steps other than "immediately" for the first two. Our compliance documentation team can help you file and track the order after you receive it.
Rule 96: format of order
Rule 96(1)
All orders are neatly and fairly typewritten in double space on one side only on durable foolscap folio paper of metric A-4 size (30.5 cm long and 21.5 cm wide), with a left margin of 5 cm and a right margin of 2.5 cm. Corrections are carried out neatly, and sufficient space is left at the top and bottom of each page to make the appearance elegant.
Rule 96(2)
The Members constituting the Bench affix their signatures in the order of their seniority from right to left.
Rule 97: indexing of case files after disposal
After communication of the order to the parties or legal representative, the official concerned arranges the records with pagination, and prepares the Index Sheet in a form "to be prescribed by the Appellate Tribunal", affixes initials and transmits the records with the Index initials to the records room. The Rules print no such form, so none is described here.
Rule 98: transmission of files, records or orders
Files, records and orders are transmitted only after obtaining acknowledgement in the movement register maintained at the different sections or levels, as the Registrar directs.
Rule 99: copies of orders in the library
- The officer in charge of the Registry sends copies of every final order to the library (rule 99(1)).
- Copies of all orders received in each month are kept in a separate folder, arranged by date of pronouncement, indexed and stitched (rule 99(2)).
- At the end of every year, a consolidated index is prepared and kept in a separate file (rule 99(3)).
- The order folders and indices may be made available for reference in the library to legal practitioners (rule 99(4)).
The order after pronouncement
| Step | Rule | Who |
|---|---|---|
| Endorsement on file; entry in diary | 94 | Court Master |
| Order and file to Deputy Registrar | 95(1) | Court Master |
| Scrutiny; initials with date | 95(2) | Deputy Registrar |
| Copies prepared and sent to parties | 95(3) | Registry |
| Typing format and signatures by seniority | 96 | Bench |
| Indexing after communication | 97 | Official concerned |
| Movement against acknowledgement | 98 | Sections as directed by the Registrar |
| Copy to the library, monthly folder, annual index | 99 | Officer in charge of the Registry |
Same as before the NCLT?
Rules 94 to 99 correspond to NCLT rules 156 to 160 and 162, with the same content. The differences lie in what follows. The NCLT Rules have a rule for rectification of an order (rule 154, within two years from the final order) and a general power to amend (rule 155), and a rule requiring a company to file a certified copy of the order with the Registrar of Companies in Form INC-28 (rule 161). The NCLAT Rules have no rectification rule or INC-28 rule. For those, see Rules 154 to 158 of the NCLT Rules and Rules 159 to 162 of the NCLT Rules. The NCLT rule 159 likewise leaves the Index Sheet form to be prescribed by the Tribunal.
An example
The Appellate Tribunal pronounces its order in the appeal of Banyan Retail Limited. The Court Master endorses the file and sends it to the Deputy Registrar, who scrutinises and initials it with the date, and the Registry prepares the copies. Banyan's representative asks for the certified copy and, when it arrives, files it in the company's records. A copy of the final order goes to the library, where it appears in the folder for that month.
Need help managing post-order records?
Whatever the result, the order and the Registry file are part of your company's records. If you want help organising and acting on an order, see our compliance documentation service.
Key takeaways
- The Court Master endorses the file and the diary immediately on pronouncement (rule 94).
- The order goes to the Deputy Registrar for scrutiny and then to the Registry for copies (rule 95).
- Format: double spaced, one side, A-4 foolscap, left margin 5 cm, right margin 2.5 cm, Members sign by seniority from right to left (rule 96).
- Files and orders move only against acknowledgement in the movement register (rule 98).
- Final orders are kept in the library in monthly folders with an annual index (rule 99).
Read next
- Rules 88-93: pronouncement of orders
- Rules 100-104: Supreme Court orders and removal of difficulties
- Rules 154-158 of the NCLT Rules
- Rules 159-162 of the NCLT Rules
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.