Classification Of Courts According To Area And Money Diputed

The Civil Procedure Code (C.P.C.) is to regulate the functioning of Civil courts. CPC lays down the rules in which a civil court is to function, which may be summed up as follows:

- Procedure of filing the civil case.
- Powers of court to pass various orders.
- Court fees and stamp involved in filing of case.
- Rights of the parties to a case, viz. plaintiff and defendant
- Jurisdiction and parameters within which the civil courts should function.
- Specific rules for proceedings of a case.
- Right of Appeals, review or reference.

Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction of civil courts can be divided on two basis.

• Pecuniary/Monetary
• Territorial / Areawise Classification

Pecuniary/Monetary Jurisdiction

Pecuniary jurisdiction of the court divides the court on a vertical basis.

At present the pecuniary jurisdiction of the Delhi courts is as follows:
- Suits amounting to Rs.1 - Rs.20, 00,000 lie before district courts.
- Suits over and above Rs. 20,00,000/- lie before High Courts.

• It is very important to note that the amount of pecuniary jurisdiction is different for all High Courts. This limit is decided by respective High Court Rules.
• In many states High court has no pecuniary jurisdiction. All civil suits go before District Courts, and only appeal lies before High Court.

Territorial Jurisdiction

Territorial Jurisdiction divides the courts on a horizontal basis.

District Courts

For example in Delhi, there are three District level courts, viz. Patiala House, Tis Hazari and Karakardooma. All these courts have nearly same powers. However, being on a same horizontal line, these courts are divided territory wise, i.e. area wise. Again for example, cases pertaining to South Delhi, New Delhi and West Delhi will lie before Patiala House, and North Delhi cases will lie before Tis Hazari, and cases pertaining to East Delhi will lie before Karakardooma.

High Court

Similarly High Court of two different states, say Delhi, and Punjab may have similar powers in their respective states, but are divided on the basis of area. Cases pertaining to Delhi will lie before Delhi High court and cases pertaining to Punjab will lie before Punjab High Court.

How Is Territory Decided?