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Section 18: Power of High Court to issue directions

Commercial Courts Act, 2015 • Official Statutory Text & Practice Guide

Statutory Regulation
Legal Standard
Commercial Court / High Court
Act 4 of 2016
Section 17 All 23 Sections The Schedule (CPC Amendments) Section 19
Statutory Defined Terms in this Section: (Click any term for official legal definition)
High Court Sec 2 Commercial Court Sec 2

Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 18

Section 18 of the Commercial Courts Act, 2015 empowers High Courts to issue practice directions and guidelines to Commercial Courts within their jurisdiction to supplement procedural rules.

  • High Court Practice Directions Power: The High Court may, from time to time, issue directions not inconsistent with this Act and the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
  • Subjects Covered: Covers pre-institution mediation protocols, electronic filings (e-filing), video conferencing hearings, case management hearings, and statement of truth templates.
  • Binding on Subordinate Commercial Courts: Commercial Courts are bound to comply with practice directions issued under this section.
  • Dynamic Modernization: Allows High Courts to integrate digital evidence standards and modern courtroom technologies without waiting for parliamentary statutory amendments.
Key Landmark Precedents:
  • High Court of Delhi Practice Directions for Commercial Courts, 2020: The Delhi High Court issued comprehensive directions under Section 18 standardizing electronic filing, paginated digital paper books, and strict timelines for written submissions.
  • Patil Automation (P) Ltd. v. Rakheja Engineers (P) Ltd., (2022) 10 SCC 1: Recognized that High Court practice directions streamline the operationalization of statutory requirements like Section 12A mediation.
Courtroom Practice & Strategic Litigation Guidance:

Always cross-reference local High Court Practice Directions issued under Section 18 for mandatory formats regarding statement of truth, discovery affidavits, and digital bookmarks before filing pleadings.

Section 17 All 23 Sections The Schedule (CPC Amendments) Section 19