What is a Caveat?
A Caveat is a Notice given by a person, informing the Court that another person may file a suit or application against him and that the Court must give the Caveator (person filing the Caveat) a fair hearing before deciding any matter brought before it in the relevant case.
As per Order XI A, section 148A of the Code of Civil Procedure ,1908:
148A. Right to lodge a caveat— (1) Where an application is expected to be made, or has been made, in a suit or proceedings instituted, or about to be instituted, in a Court, any person claiming a right to appear before the Court on the hearing of such application may lodge a caveat in respect thereof.
Is it mandatory to file a Caveat?
No. A Caveat is optional and need not be filed.
In which Court(s) can a Caveat be filed?
Caveats can be filed in a principal Civil Court of original jurisdiction, an Appellate Court, the High Courts and the Supreme Court. This includes the Court of Small Causes. This includes all courts which have powers of a Civil Court including Tribunals, Forums and Commissions which are vested with the power of such a court.
Can I file a Caveat in the Consumer Forum or National Commission or Central Administrative Tribunal or with any similar quasi-judicial body?
The Principle of Natural Justice (audi alteram partem) suggests that a fair chance of hearing should be given to the other party. All tribunals and commissions are bound to follow this principle and hence must accept Caveats for all practical purposes. However, in place of Caveats, many laws require that the other party be given prior notice of any judicial proceedings.
When is a Caveat filed? Why do people file Caveats?
A Caveat is filed when the Caveator anticipates some legal proceeding filed against him by another party, in the near future.
There are multiple reasons of filing a Caveat, some of which include:
- to clarify the Caveator’s address
- to place on record his intention to participate in the proceedings
- to prevent any ad interim order or injunction being passed without his appearance to defend his case (also known as an ex parte order)
What are the consequences of not filling a Caveat?
What is the time duration of the enforceability of a Caveat?
The Caveat is valid for 90 days from the date of lodging in the Court. Before the expiry of the period of 90 days, a fresh application can be made to extend the period of the Caveat for a further period of 90 days.
As per Order XI A, section 148A of the Code of Civil Procedure ,1908:
(5) Where a caveat has been lodged under sub-section (1), such caveat shall not reman in force after the expiry of ninety days from the date on which it was lodged unless the application referred to in sub-section (1) has been made before the expiry of the said period.
What details should the Caveat contain?
The Caveat must contain:
- The Name of the Court where the Caveat is to be filed
- The Suit / Petition / Appeal No. if it exists
- Caveator’s Name (Person making the Caveat)
- Brief Details of Suit / Appeal likely to be filed
- Name(s) of possible Plaintiff(s) / Appellant(s)
- Caveator’s Address for service of the Notice when it is filed
- Address where Notice of Caveat sent to the Other Parties by RPAD
What are the Court fees for filing a Caveat?
Does every court have separate rules for filing Caveats?
Most High Courts have some specific rules for filing Caveats, but they are all pretty much similar.
Bombay High Court Caveat Rules: https://bombayhighcourt.nic.in/libweb/acts/cpc1908/Order40A.pdf
Delhi High Court Caveat format: https://delhihighcourt.nic.in/writereaddata/upload/Downloads/DownloadFile_KUD67PSJ.PDF
What happens after a Caveat is filed?
Sample Caveat
dear sir to day i received through registered post regarding a land issue and i found there is no he Suit / Petition / Appeal No. on the letter and took a print out from the pre defined matter and changed the names and some text in it and posted. there is no signatures/signs on the letter of the petitioners. is it mandatory of signatures of petitioners or they are sending it through an advocate. why because they mentioned the names of the respondents in a land issue. but we have already registered the land in 1990’s and now they filed a caveat. is it necessary to respond to the caveat plz help me and let me know what to do
Respected Sir,
Today i received a caveat through registered post. The company is manufacturing steel furniture and after that the spray the product which is very irritating to my children, wife & my parents. We gave letter to panchayath, environment engineer, health inspector but all they are with the company owner side. So the company owner send a caveat to my parents name, wife name and in my name. Is any possibility to cancel the caveat. pls, reply.
So, hope you will consider my letter and reply it.
thanks and regards
What is the way we can challenge a Caveat ? Is there a way to get stay for a Caveat ?
Sir,
My lawyer filed a caveat but party name mentioned is wrong. My lawyer says, it will not have any impact. I wanted to verify that wrong party name in caveat will it have any impact?
Will I still be informed if opposite party appeals court?
Please suggest.
Dear sir
I am in some doubt that my in-laws to get the benefit of ex-parte divorce may stop the delivery of summon and cause me defaulter before court .
They may file case from another state . Will caveat petition be helpful in this regard ? Will court send it to my in-laws ,if yes When ?
Kindly answer
is it that we have to pay court fees for caveator in Supreme Court ?
if yes what is court fees for SLP for Caveator in Supreme Court that Petitioner has to pay?
Dear Sir ,
I have received a caveat from recovery officer of Bank .On the caveat no advocate signature ,no caveat number found and on the registered post envelop sender’s address is given as Judge PUNE DISTRICT CO-OPERATIVE COURT .
Whether without any advocate signature and caveat number ..is caveat valid ? and is it posted by the judge of the court to me . Is it a genuine caveat or not ?
If it is not genuine what is the further procedure or can i take action against so called caveator
Dear sir/madam,
i would like to know about ‘caveat’
please tell me what is the fee of Caveat in civil courts in Jammu and kashmir case under land dispute.
thanks & regards
how to file caveat in the high court of Bombay High Court,what is procedure of caveat,is there any prescribed format please.
is proforma respondent can file a caveat in SLP ?
Can a caveat be filed before sub registrar n under ehat authority ??
Sir,my brother has sent me a caveat on land dispute.he is constructing a house without proper fire gap.the land on which he is constructin a house is also not properly demarced on our side.he has used political influnce to to get permission from municipal council.pls tell me wt should i do and how i can bring stay order ..please ..i live in a town namely sopore from j&k…in baramulla district.do suggest olso how caveat can b made ineffective..
क्या criminal case में cavet file हो सकती हैं
Can I file a caveat before the village Panchayat?
Can a caveat be entered when the proceedings have already started?