What are the main stages in civil proceedings in India? What is their underlying timeframe?
The following procedure is followed while initiating a civil action in India- (i) initiation of proceedings by filing a plaint/application; (ii) issue of notice or summons by the Court to Defendant(s) / respondent(s); (iii) appearance of Defendant(s) and filing of written statement/ response; (iv) framing of points of controversy called ‘issues’ between the parties; (v) recording of evidence of petitioner(s), Defendant(s) / respondent(s); (vi) hearing of oral arguments; and (vii) pronouncement of judgment/decree by the Court. Timeframes for the above stages are governed by the CPC with the Limitation Act 1963 governing timeframes for institution of suits/petitions etc. (Further see question 2.2 below.
