Important Legal Definitions
Explore legal terms, clear definitions and practical examples.
Adjournment and Costs (Order XVII CPC)
Civil Procedure & Litigation Mechanics
Definition
The discretionary power of the court to grant time and postpone the hearing of a suit to a future date upon sufficient cause being shown, subject to statutory limits (no more than three adjournments to a party) and the imposition of compensatory costs.
Example
A defendant seeks a fourth adjournment on the date fixed for cross-examination claiming their senior advocate is busy in another court; the civil judge in Patna grants an adjournment subject to payment of ₹5,000 as day-costs to the plaintiff under Order XVII Rule 1 CPC.