Monday, 5 August 2013

Primacy is to be given to substantive part of sections over orders and rules in civil procedure code.



Every   endeavor   is   being   suggested   and   tried   to   be  
The Civil Procedure Code primarily consists of two  
parts. The first part comprises of various sections right  
from sections 2 to section 158. The first part i.e. section 2  
to 158 can be said to be a substantive part of the Code of  
Civil   Procedure.   The   procedure   for   carrying   out   the  
objects of section 2 to 158, is laid down in the schedule,  
which   is   titled   as   the   First   schedule.   Order   1   makes  
reference to parties to suits. Last is the Order 52 in the  
first Schedule of the Civil Procedure Code. When it comes  
to interpretation of the provisions of the Civil Procedure  
Code, ordinarily, sections in the first part of the Code and  
the orders which are made available in the first schedule  

to the substantive part of sections in the Code. 
are considered conjointly. Primacy however is to be given to the substantive part of section in the code.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

M/s. Alcon Electronics Pvt. Ltd.

V
Celem S.A.

K.K. TATED, J.

08/04/2013.
Citation;AIR 2013 BOMBAY108

1 Heard  learned counsel for the parties.
2 Rule.

Rule made returnable forthwith.
4 By consent, the matter is taken on board for final hearing at 

the stage of admission itself.

By this Civil Revision Application, the Defendant – Judgment 
Debtor  challenges the  order  dated  15th  April, 2011  passed  by  the 
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learned   District  Judge­2,   Nashik  below  Exhibit   1  in   Special   (Civil) 
Darkhast   no.1   of   2007,   rejecting   the   Petitioner’s   Application   for 
declaration that the recovery proceeding filed by the Respondents – 
original Plaintiffs be disposed off/dismissed for lack of jurisdiction or 
even otherwise on facts and holding that the execution proceeding 
filed by Respondents being maintainable and the judgment and order 
dated 19th  October, 2006 passed by High Court of Justice, Chancery 
Division, Patents Court is executable before District Court at Nashik.
6
A few facts of the matter are as under:
The Respondents – original  Plaintiffs filed a Suit against the 
Petitioner – original Defendant in the High Court of Justice, Chancery 

Division, Patents Court in the England. In the said Suit, the Petitioner 
preferred Application dated 11th  May, 2006 for declaration that the 
High Court of Justice, Chancery Division, Patents Court, U.K. have no 
jurisdiction   to   entertain   the   Claim   no.HC   06C00720.   The   said 
Application   was   rejected   by   the   Hon’ble   High   Court   of   Justice, 
Chancery Division, Patents Court, United Kingdom by an order dated 
19th  October, 2006  and imposed a  costs  in  the  sum  of  £12,429.75 
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equivalent to `10,16,753.55 paise with interest at the rate of 8% per 
annum. Thereafter, the Respondents – original Plaintiffs filed Special 
(Civil) Darkhast no.1 of 2007 in the Court of District Judge ­2, Nashik 
for execution of the order passed by the Foreign Court, for recovery 
of sum of `10,16,753.55 towards decretal amount under Order dated 
19th October, 2006 (costs) and `.67,786/­ towards interest at the rate 
of 8% per annum on the principal amount from the date of the order 
date i.e. 19th October, 2006 to 14th August, 2007 and further interest 
till the recovery of the amount. In the said Execution Petition, the 
Petitioner preferred Exhibit 1 on 1st March, 2008 for declaration that 
the   Execution   Application   filed   by   the   Respondents   is   not 
maintainable as the same is in respect of the costs imposed by the 

foreign   Court   at   the   time   of   dismissing   the   Petitioner’s   Interim 
Application, whereas, the main matter is still pending for hearing and 
final disposal on its own merits.  The said Application is rejected by 
the   District   Judge­2,   Nashik   by   impugned   order   dated   15 th  April, 
2011 and hence, the present Civil Revision Application.
The   learned   counsel   appearing   on   behalf   of   the   Petitioner 

submits   that   the   impugned   order   passed   by   the   District   Judge­2, 
Nashik   dated   15th  April,   2011   is   against   justice,   equity   and   good 
conscience and the same is liable to be set aside. He submits that the 
District   Court,   Nashik   failed   to   appreciate   that   the   Execution 
Application filed by the Respondents for recovery of costs imposed by 
foreign   Court  on   Interim  Application,  whereas,  the   main   matter   is 
pending for hearing and final disposal on its own merits, therefore, 
the   Execution   Petition   is   not   maintainable   for   recovery   of   costs 
imposed   by   the   foreign   Court   at   the   time   of   deciding   Interim 
Application. He  submits that  the  District Judge­2, Nashik ought to 
have seen that under Indian Law interim order for payment of costs 
are not executable unless it has been made into a form of a decree, 

which is passed at the time of final hearing of the suit and as such the 
execution   of   an   order   passed   by   the   Court   in   England   which   was 
interim   order   awarding   cost,   could   not   have   been   held   to   be 
maintainable.   He   further   states   that   the   learned   Executing   Court 
failed   to   notice   that   only   such   part   of   an   order   or   decree   is 
executable in India which part is in consonance with the law on the 
subject in India as well. If there is any order passed by the foreign 
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Court   in   respect   of   a   legal   position,   which   is   contrary   to   the   one 
prevailing   in   India,   such   an   order   cannot   be   executed   in   Indian 
Courts.   Thus,   the   fundamental   aspect   of   the   matter   has   been 
completely  lost site  of  by the  Executing Court. He  further  submits 
that   the   decree   as   defined   under   section   2(2)   of   Code   of   Civil 
Procedure, 1908 can only be put in execution and not otherwise. He 
submits that the Foreign Court has not passed any order on merits till 
today, and, therefore, the present Execution filed by the Respondents 
is not maintainable. He submits that the Respondents is seeking to 
execute an interim order passed by the foreign Court. It involves the 
question   arising   out   of   Sections   13   and   14   of   the   Code   of   Civil 
Procedure, 1908. It relates to the  enforceability of a foreign Court 

Order   in   India.   Only   the   interlocutory   order   for   payment   of   cost 
cannot be put to execution in India. According to him, therefore, the 
execution proceedings commenced by the Respondents are liable to 
be rejected. He submits that the foreign Court by an order dated 19 th 
October, 2006 dismissed the Petitioner’s Application but no where it 
is stated in the said Order that the Petitioner has to pay a cost of 
£12,429.35. He submits that the operative part of the order issued 
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separately shows the payment of costs.   Therefore, the Respondents 
have no right to execute the said order in India. He further submits 
that imposing a costs for more than Rs.10,00,000/­ is contrary to the 
provisions   of   Section   35A   of   the   Civil   Procedure   Code,   1908.   He 
submits   that   the   maximum   costs   prescribed   in   Section   35A   of   the 
Code   of   Civil   Procedure,   1908   is   only   Rs.3,000/­.  On   the   basis   of 
these submissions, the learned counsel appearing for the Petitioner 
states that the impugned order passed by the District Court, Nashik 
rejecting the Petitioner’s Application below Exhibit 1 is liable to be set 
aside   and   this   Court   be   pleased   to   allow   the   Application   below 
Exhibit 1. 

On the other hand, the learned counsel appearing on behalf of 

the Respondents – original Plaintiffs vehemently opposed the present 
Civil   Revision   Application.   He   submits   that   after   hearing   both   the 
sides   the   High   Court   of   Justice,   Chancery   Division,   Patents   Court 
passed an order dated 19th October, 2006. He submits that in view of 
provisions   of   Sections   2(2),   2(9)   and   2(14)   of   Code   of   Civil 
Procedure, 1908, the Execution Application filed by the Respondents 
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is according to law and the same is maintainable. He submits that in 
view of  Section  44A of  Code   of  Civil  Procedure, 1908 the  District 
Court   at   Nashik   has   jurisdiction   to   entertain   the   Execution 
Application filed by them. He further submits that the High Court of 
Justice, Chancery Division, Patents Court issued the operative part of 
order dated 19th  October, 2006 in which it is specifically stated that 
the Respondents have to pay the costs of the Application summarily 
assessed in the sum of Pounds £12,429.75. Therefore, there is no bar 
under law to execute the said order along with interest before the 
Indian Court in view of Section 44A of Code of Civil Procedure, 1908. 
He submits that the term “order” as defined under Section 2(14) of 
the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 means the formal expression of 

any decision of a Civil Court and, therefore, it is executable as decree. 
He   submits   that   bare   reading   of   Section   36   of   the   Code   of   Civil 
Procedure, 1908 it is crystal clear that all provisions applicable for 
execution   of   decree   are   also   applicable   for   execution   of   order.   In 
support of his contention, he relies on unreported judgment of High 
Court of Judicature at Bombay Bench at Aurangabad in the matter of 
Satyapal   s/o   Vaidyaram   Katariya   vs.   Sanjay   s/o   Jagannath 
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Kanjune   &   Ors.  in  Writ   Petition   no.735   of   2010,   dated   8 th 
“9. 
February, 2010. Paras 9 to 14 of that judgment read thus:
Expression "order" is defined under section 2 (14)  
of the Code meaning thereby the formal expression of any  
decision of a Civil Court which is not a decree. In the case  
on hand, in my view, order passed by the competent Civil  
Court   under   Order   39   Rule   1   and   2   of   the   Code,  
restraining the defendant, from interfering possession of  
the   plaintiff   over   the   suit   property   is   an   order   under  
section 2 (14) of the Code.
10. 
Having held that the order of temporary injunction  
is an order   within the parameters of section 2 (14) of  
the   Code,   now   it   would   be   essential   to   consider,   as   to  

competent Civil Court can be sought to be executed with  
the mechanism provided under Order 21 of the Code. At  
whether the order of temporary injunction, passed by the  
this juncture, it would be beneficial to refer to section 36  
of the Code, which reads:
"36.  Application   to   orders.­     The   provisions   of  
this Code relating to the execution of decrees (including  
provisions relating to payment under a decree) shall, so  
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far   as   they   are   applicable,   be   deemed   to   apply   to   the  
11. 
execution of orders (including payment under an order).
Part II of the Code is titled as "Execution", Subtitle  
is  General.   Section 36 lays down that the provisions of  
this Code relating to the execution of decrees (including  
provisions relating to payment under a decree) shall, so  
far   as   they   are   applicable,   be   deemed   to   apply   to   the  
execution of orders (including payment under an order).  
The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 is a procedural code  
for   conduct   of   civil   cases.   Ordinarily,   there   are   two  
branches of law; civil laws and penal laws. Procedure to  
be   followed   in   relation   to   conduct   of   civil   cases,   is  
provided   under   the   Code   of   Civil   Procedure.   So   far   as  
penal   laws   are   concerned,   procedure   therefor   is   made  
available under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898.  
9/28

and   the   Criminal   Procedure   Code   have   undergone  
amendments from the competent Legislature from time to  
The procedural laws under the Code of Civil Procedure  
time. The Higher Courts in the country and Legislature  
are   worried  and  concerned   about   pendency   of  cases   in  
various Courts and at all levels. To curtail life span of  
civil   cases,   the   Legislature,   in   its   wisdom,   has   recently  
introduced   and   implemented   some   amendments.   In  
substance, time span of civil cases in various Courts is  
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being tried to be curtailed down by the Legislature and  
the Honourable Supreme Court is also of the same view.  
implemented. 
Every   endeavor   is   being   suggested   and   tried   to   be  
The Civil Procedure Code primarily consists of two  
parts. The first part comprises of various sections right  
from sections 2 to section 158. The first part i.e. section 2  
to 158 can be said to be a substantive part of the Code of  
Civil   Procedure.   The   procedure   for   carrying   out   the  
objects of section 2 to 158, is laid down in the schedule,  
which   is   titled   as   the   First   schedule.   Order   1   makes  
reference to parties to suits. Last is the Order 52 in the  
first Schedule of the Civil Procedure Code. When it comes  
to interpretation of the provisions of the Civil Procedure  
Code, ordinarily, sections in the first part of the Code and  
the orders which are made available in the first schedule  

to the substantive part of sections in the Code. 
are considered conjointly. Primacy however is to be given to the substantive part of section in the code.12.   In   the   case   on   hand,   section   36   is   the   provision,  
which   I   have   referred   here  in   above.   I.n  my   view,   it  is  
substantive   provision   which   has   made   applicable  
procedure for seeking implementation of the order, with  
the   aid   of   Order   21   of   the   Code.   In   this   view   of   the  
matter, any order passed under the provisions of the Code  
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after   hearing   the   parties   and   not   altered   by   superior  
Court, in my view, is implementable with the assistance  
of Order 21 of the Code. Grant of temporary injunction  
which   has   been   uphold   up   to   the   High   Court   is   an  
important   and   significant   facet   of   order   passed   by   the  
competent civil Court, in the case on hand. Such order is  
required   to   be   honoured,   obeyed   and   implemented.  
Orders passed by the Civil Court are not for decorating  
the   dwelling   of   the   decree   holder.   Order   passed   in  
accordance   with   the   provisions   of   law   are   required   to  
executed   and   holder   thereof   is   entitled   to   fruits   of   the  
order in accordance with the provisions of law. 
13.
The Legislature, however, in its wisdom, has made  
available   the   mechanism   for   execution   of   decree   for  
perpetual injunction, Order 21 Rule 32 and also Order of  

temporary   injunction   with   the   assistance   of   section   36  
14. 
and Order 21 of the Code. 
Many   a  times,   winner  litigant,  so  far   temporary  
injunction   is     concerned,   are/   is   anxious   to   seek  
implementation of the temporary injunction. It would be  
unjust to say to such litigant to wait till passing of the  
decree by the civil  Court i.e. perpetual injunction. It is  
more unjustifiable in this era of inter­net. It is for this  
order 21 of the Code.”
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reason, in my view, section 36 will have to be read with  

The   learned   counsel   for   Respondents   further   relies   on   the 
Division Bench judgment of this Court in the matter of  Janardhan 
Mohandas   Rajan   Pillai   (deceased   through   Lrs.)   &   Anr.   vs. 
Madhubhai Z. Patel & Ors.  reported in 2010 (6) ALL MR 834,   in 
which   it   is   held   that   order   passed   by   the   English   Court   staying 
proceeding   in   Suit   and   order   for   payment   of   costs   in   those 
proceedings can be executed in District Court in India as Orders or 
decrees   within   the   meaning   of   Section   44A   of   Code   of   Civil 
Procedure, 1908. Para 3 of the judgment reads thus:

Now in order to decide the controversy that falls  
for   consideration,   it   is   necessary   to   refer   to   the  
provisions   of   Section44­A   of   the   C.P     It   reads   as  
.C.
“3.

under:­
“44­A.   Execution   of   decrees   passed   by   Courts   in  
reciprocating territory. 
(1)   Where   a   certified   copy   of   decree   of   any   of   the  
superior Courts of  any reciprocating territory has been  
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filed in a District Court, the decree may be executed in  
India as if it had been passed by the District Court.
(2) Together with the certified copy of the decree shall  
be filed a certificate from such superior Court stating the  
extent, if any, to which the decree has been satisfied or  
adjusted and such certificate shall, for the purposes of  
proceedings under this section, be conclusive proof of the  
extent of such satisfaction or adjustment.
(3) The provisions of section 47 shall as from the filing  
of   the   certified   copy   of   the   decree   apply   to   the  
proceedings of a District Court executing a decree under  
this section, and the District Court shall refuse execution  
of any such decree, if it is shown to the satisfaction of  
the   Court   that   the   decree   falls   within   any   of   the  
exceptions specified in clauses (a) to (f) of section 13.

country   or   territory   outside   India   which   the   Central  
Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,  
[Explanation   I­   "Reciprocating   territory"   means   any  
declare to be a reciprocating territory for the purpose of  
this section; and "superior Courts", with reference to any  
such territory, means such Courts as may be specified in  
the said notification.
Explanation   II.­   "Decree"   with   reference   to   a   superior  
Court   means   any   decree   or   judgment   of   such   Court  
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under which  a sum of money is payable, not being a  
sum payable in respect of taxes or other charges of a like  
nature or in respect to a fine or other penalty, but shall  
in no case include an arbitration award, even if such an  
award is enforceable as a decree or judgment.]
Perusal of the above provisions of Section 44­A of the  
C.P
.C. shows that where a certified copy of a decree of  
any   of   the   Superior   Court's   of   any   reciprocating  
territory is filed in a District Court, the decree is capable  
of being executed treating it as a decree passed by the  
District   Court.   The   term   “decree”   is   defined   by  
Explanation II, to mean any decree or judgment of such  
Court   under   which   a   sum   of   money   is   payable.     The  
term  “decree”  is  defined  by   Section   2(2)  of  the  C.P  
.C.
and still the Parliament chose again to define the term  

intention, therefore, is clear that the Parliament wanted  
to either expand or reduce the scope of the term “decree”  
“decree”   by   Explanation   II   to   Section   44­A.     The  
found in Section 2(2) of the Code. Section 2(2) of the  
C.P
.C. reads as under:­
        
“2.   Definitions – In this Act, unless there is anything  

repugnant in the subject or context ­ 
(2)   "decree"   means   the   formal   expression   of   an  
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adjudication   which,   so   far   as   regards   the   Court  
expressing   it,   conclusively   determines   the  rights   of   the  
parties   with   regard   to   all   or   any   of   the   matters   in  
controversy in the suit and may be either preliminary or  
final.   It   shall   be   deemed   to   include   the   rejection   of   a  
plaint   and   the   determination   of   any   question   within  
section 44, but shall not include­
(a) any adjudication from which an appeal lies as an  
appeal from an order, or 
(b) any order of dismissal for default. 
Explanation  ­   A   decree   is   preliminary   when   further  
proceedings   have   to   be   taken   before   the   suit   can   be  
completely disposed of. It is final when such adjudication  
completely   disposes   of   the   suit.   It   may   be   partly  
preliminary and partly final.” 

The term “judgment” is defined by Section 2(9) of the  
“2(9)
C.P
.C. which reads thus:
"judgment"   means   the   statement   given   by  
the judge on the grounds of a decree or order;

A comparison of the two above quoted definitions shows  
that   “Judgment”   is   a   wider   concept   than   “decree”.  
Perusal of the Explanation II in Section 44­A of the Code  
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shows   that   the   legislature   intentionally   has   included  
even   “judgment”   within   the   meaning   of   the   term  
“decree” for the purpose of Section 44­A. The intention  
was to expand or to enlarge the scope of term “decree”  
for the purposes of Section 44­A of the Code. Therefore,  
an order which may not amount to a decree, but may  
amount to a judgment would be a decree for the purpose  
of Section 44­A of the Code. The term “order” is defined  
by Section 2(14) of C.P
.C. which reads as under:­
“2
Definitions:­
(14)  "order"   means   the   formal   expression   of   any  
decision of a Civil Court which is not a decree; 
Perusal of definition of term “decree” found in Section  
2(2),   definition   of   term   “judgment”   found   in   section  
2(9)   and   definition   of   term   “order”   found   in   Section  

a “decree” or a judgment may amount to an “order”. To  
our mind, it is clear that the intention of the legislature  
2(14), makes it clear that a “judgment” may amount to  
behind   incorporating   “Explanation   II”   was   to   permit  
execution under Section 44­A of the Code of such orders  
which may not amount to decrees but which amount to  
orders.”
The learned counsel for Respondents submits that the present 

case is squarely covered by the judgment of the Division Bench in the 
matter of Janardhan Mohandas Rajan Pillai   (supra). In respect of 
payment of interest he relies on the provision of section 17 of the 
Judgments Act, 1838 which reads thus:
“17 Judgment debts to carry interest.
(1) Every judgment debt shall carry interest at the rate  
of 8 pounds  per   centum   per   annum   from   such  
(2)
time as shall be prescribed by 
rules of court until  
the same shall besatisfied, and such interest  may  
be levied under a writ of execution on such 
judgment.
Rules of court may provide for the court to 
disallow all or part of 
any   interest   otherwise  
payable under subsection (1).”

In view of the above provision the Respondents are entitled to 
claim interest while executing the order for payment of costs being 
decree   holder   as   defined   in   section   2(3)   of   the   Code   of   Civil 
Procedure, 1908.  In view of this provision Respondents are entitled 
interest on the decretal amount. 
With the above submissions, the learned counsel appearing on 

behalf of Respondents states that there is no substance in the present 
Civil Revision Application and the same is liable to be dismissed with 
costs.
I heard both the counsel at length. I have gone through the 
12
impugned order passed by the learned District Judge­2, Nashik, order 
passed by the High Court of Justice, Chancery Division, Patents Court 
dated 19th October, 2010 and other relevant documents. For deciding 
the   issue   involved   in   the   present   Civil   Revision   Application,   it   is 
necessary to reproduce Sections 2(2), 2(9), 2(14), 35A, 36, 44A of 
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, which. read thus:
“2.
Definitions – In this Act, unless there is anything  
repugnant in the subject or context ­ 


adjudication   which,   so   far   as   regards   the   Court  
expressing   it,   conclusively   determines   the  rights   of   the  
(2)   "decree"   means   the   formal   expression   of   an  
parties   with   regard   to   all   or   any   of   the   matters   in  
controversy in the suit and may be either preliminary or  
final.   It   shall   be   deemed   to   include   the   rejection   of   a  
plaint   and   the   determination   of   any   question   within  
section 44, but shall not include­
(a) any adjudication from which an appeal lies as an  
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appeal from an order, or 
(b) any order of dismissal for default. 
Explanation  ­   A   decree   is   preliminary   when   further  
proceedings   have   to   be   taken   before   the   suit   can   be  
completely disposed of. It is final when such adjudication  
completely   disposes   of   the   suit.   It   may   be   partly  
preliminary and partly final.” 
“(9)
"judgment"   means   the   statement   given   by  
the judge of the grounds of a decree or order:”
“(14) 
"order" means the formal expression of any  
decision of a Civil Court which is not a decree;” 

Compensatory costs in respect of false or  
vexatious claims or defenses.
(1) If any suit or other proceeding, including an  
“35A.

execution   proceedings   but   excluding   an   appeal   or   a  
revision any party objects to the claim or defence on the  
ground that the claim or defence or any part of it is, as  
against the objector, false or vexatious to the knowledge  
of the party by whom it has been put forward, and if  
thereafter, as against the objector, such claim or defence  

is disallowed abandoned or  withdrawn in whole or  in  
part, the Court, [if it so thinks fit] may, after recording  
its reasons for holding such claim or defence to be false  
or vexatious, make an order for the payment the objector  
by the party by whom such claim or defence has been put  
forward, of costs by way of compensation.
(2) No Court shall make any such order for the  
payment of an amount exceeding three thousand rupees  
or   exceeding   the   limits   of   its   pecuniary   jurisdiction,  
whichever amount is less:
Provided   that   where   the   pecuniary   limits   of   the  
jurisdiction of any Court exercising the jurisdiction of a  
Court of Small Causes under the Provincial Small Cause  
Courts Act, 1887  or under a corresponding law in force  

extend and not being a Court constituted under such Act  
or law are less than two hundred and fifty rupees, the  
in   any   part   of   India   to   which   the   said   Act   does   not  
High Court may empower such Court to award as costs  
under   this   section   any   amount   not   exceeding   two  
hundred and fifty rupees and not exceeding those limits  
by more than one hundred rupees:
Provided, further, that the High Court may limit  
the   amount   which   any   Court   or   class   of   Courts   is  

empowered to award as costs under this section.
(3)   No  person   against  whom   an   order   has  been  
made   under   this   section   shall,   by   reason   thereof,   be  
exempted from any criminal liability in respect of any  
claim or defence made by him.
(4)   The   amount   of   any   compensation   awarded  
under this section in respect of a false or vexatious claim  
or defence shall be taken into account in any subsequent  
suit   for   damages   or   compensation   in   respect   of   such  
claim or defence.”
“36. Application to orders:­
The   provisions   of   this   Code   relating   to   the  
execution   of   decrees   (including   provisions   relating   to  

(including payment under an order).”
applicable, be deemed to apply to the execution of orders  
payment   under   a   decree)   shall,   so   far   as   they   are  
“44A.   Execution   of   decrees   passed   by   Courts   in  
reciprocating territory. 
(1) Where a certified copy of a decree of any of the  
superior Courts of any reciprocating territory has been  

filed in a District Court, the decree may be executed in  
India as if it had been passed by the District Court.
(2) Together with the certified copy of the decree  
shall   be   filed   a   certificate   from   such   superior   Court  
stating the extent, if any, to which the decree has been  
satisfied   or   adjusted   and   such   certificate   shall,   for   the  
purposes of proceedings under this section, be conclusive  
proof of the extent of such satisfaction or adjustment.
(3) The provisions of section 47 shall as from the  
filing   of   the   certified   copy   of   the   decree   apply   to   the  
proceedings of a District Court executing a decree under  
this section, and the District Court shall refuse execution  
of any such decree, if it is shown to the satisfaction of the  
Court that the decree falls within any of the exceptions  
specified in clauses (a) to (f) of section 13.

country   or   territory   outside   India   which   the   Central  
Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,  
[Explanation   I­   "Reciprocating   territory"   means   any  
declare to be a reciprocating territory for the purposes of  
this section; and "Superior Courts", with reference to any  
such territory, means such Courts as may be specified in  
the said notification.
Explanation   II.­   "Decree"   with   reference   to   a   Superior  
Court means any decree or judgment of such Court under  
ig
which   a   sum   of   money   is   payable,   not   being   a   sum  
payable   in   respect   of   taxes   or   other   charges   of   a   like  
nature or in respect to a fine or other penalty, but shall  
in no case include an arbitration award, even if such an  
award is enforceable as a decree or judgment.]”
13
Admittedly,   in   the   present   proceeding,   the   High   Court   of 
Justice, Chancery Division, Patents Court passed an order dated 19 th 
October, 2006 dismissing the Petitioner’s Application challenging the 
jurisdiction of that Court. At the time of dismissing the Petitioner’s 
Application, the English Court passed an order for payment of costs 
in the sum of £12,429.75. In the Certificate under Section 10 of the 
Foreign Judgment (Reciprocal Encroachment) Act, 1933 in Para 6,  it 

is specifically stated that the order carries interest at the rate of 8% 
per annum, therefore, the objection raised by the learned counsel  for 
the   Petitioner   that   there   is   no   order   passed   by   the   English   Court 
about payment of interest is not correct. Another objection raised by 
the Petitioner is about the quantum of costs. Though under Section 
35­A of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 it is stated that maximum 
costs can be paid only `3,000/­ that is not applicable in the present 

case   at   all.   As   per   the   rules   and   regulations   of   that   Country,   the 
English Court has passed an order for payment of costs and the same 
is binding on the Petitioner in view of Section 44­A of the Code of 
Civil Procedure, 1908. Whether the order passed by the English Court 
dated 19th  October, 2006 is executable or not is the main question 
involved in the present Civil Revision Application. It is to be noted 
that bare  reading of Sections 2(2), 2(14) and 36 of Code  of  Civil 
Procedure,   1908   makes   it   clear   that   the   said   order   is   executed   in 
India also. 

Section 44A read with relevant explanation shows that before 
it   is   invoked   by   any   decree   holder,   he   must   satisfy   the   following 
conditions: 

A Decree­Holder who seeks execution must be armed with a  
i)

money   decree   passed   by   any   of   the   superior   court   of   any  
reciprocating territory,  being any foreign country or territory 
which   the   Central   Government   may,   by   notification   in   the  
official gazette, has declared to be a reciprocating territory for 
the purpose of the section.
Such an Execution Petition can be entertained by executing  
ii)

Court in India being the District Court that will be clothed with 
the legal fiction as if the said foreign decree was passed by  
itself and whose aid and assistance are required for executing 
such a decree.
iii)
Such a decree can be put for an execution before a District  
Court   in   India   being   the   principal   Civil   Court   of   original  
jurisdiction and which will include the local limits of original 
iv)
civil jurisdiction of a High Court. 
Once such Execution Petition is filed before the appropriate  
District Court the entire machinery of section 47 for execution 
of India decree would be automatically get attracted.

In   such   execution   proceedings,   the   judgment   debtor   of     a  
v)

foreign   court   decree/order   will   be   entitled   to   satisfy   the  
executing Court in India that the foreign decree/order cannot 
be executed against him as it is hit by any of the exceptions  
specified in clauses (a) to (f) of Section 13 of Code of Civil  
Section   44A   of   Code   of   Civil   Procedure   indicates   an 

Procedure. 
independent   right   confirmed   on   to   a   foreign   Decree   Holder   for 
enforcement of a decree/order in India. It is a fresh cause of action 
and has no co­relation with the jurisdictional issues. The factum of 
the   passing   of   the   decree   and   the   assumption   of   jurisdiction 
pertaining thereto, do not really obstruct the full play of the provision 
of section 44­A of Code of Civil Procedure which gives a new cause of 
action irrespective of its original character.
16
Perusal   of   the   explanation   in   section   44­A   of   Code   of   Civil 
Procedure   shows   that   legislation   intentionally   has   included   even 
judgment   within   the   meaning   of   the   term   decree   for   purpose   of 

section 44­A of Code of Civil Procedure. The intention was to expand 
or enlarge the scope of term decree for the purpose of this section. 
Therefore,   an   order   which   may   not   amount   to   a   decree   but   may 
amount to judgment would be a judgment for the purpose of Section 
44­A of Code of Civil Procedure. Thus, awarding costs would amount 
to decree within the meaning of section 44­A and can be recovered 
The issue of jurisdiction of this Court to execute order/decree 

by executing order under section 44­A of Code of Civil Procedure.
of   a   country   having   reciprocal   arrangement   with   our   country   is 
squarely covered by the Division Bench of this Court in the matter of 
Janardhan Mohandas Rajan Pillai (deceased through Lrs.) & Anr. 
(supra). Therefore, I am of the opinion that the Execution Petition 
filed   by   the   Respondents   for   execution   of   the   order   dated   19 th 
October, 2006 passed by the English Court is maintainable in law. The 
Petitioner has not pointed out any provision of law or the facts for 
coming to the conclusion that the District Court, Nashik has acted in 
exercise   of   its   jurisdiction   illegally   or   with   material   irregularity   in 
passing   the   impugned   order   which   needs   to   be   corrected   by   this 
Court by exercising revisional jurisdiction. 

 Civil Revision Application is accordingly dismissed. 
Rule is discharged. 

(K.K. TATED, J.)

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