The Delhi High Court has referred the issue of whether mediation periods should be excluded from statutory deadlines for written statements to a larger bench. This decision arises from conflicting opinions among lower benches.
Delhi HC Refers Mediation Deadline Issue to Larger Bench
In a significant move, the Delhi High Court has referred to a larger bench the question of whether time spent in mediation should be excluded from the statutory deadline for filing written statements in civil suits. This issue was raised during proceedings before Justice Subramonium Prasad.
Justice Prasad highlighted the existing uncertainty created by conflicting judicial opinions from coordinate and division benches, which necessitated a comprehensive examination of the matter. The court's decision indicates the complexity of integrating mediation within civil litigation timelines.
This referral is essential as it may lead to a unified approach, potentially affecting the strategy for civil litigants and their compliance with filing requirements during mediation. Practitioners should prepare for possible changes in procedural timelines in civil cases depending on the larger bench's ruling.
Citations
- N/A
