Civil Pleadings Format India - Legal Templates
Civil Pleadings are the formal written documents filed by parties in a civil suit - plaints, written statements, applications, replies, and decrees. In India, they are governed by the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908. Download Civil Pleadings formats covering plaints, defences, injunctions, execution, decrees, and interlocutory applications, ready to file before any civil court.
What is Civil Pleadings?
Civil Pleadings are the formal written statements of the parties to a civil suit that set out their respective claims and defences, define the issues, and form the foundation on which the court adjudicates. Under Order VI Rule 1 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, "pleading" means a plaint or a written statement.
The plaint (Order VII) is the document by which a plaintiff institutes a suit, setting out the facts, cause of action, jurisdiction, and the relief claimed. The written statement (Order VIII) is the defendant's reply, containing admissions, denials, and any set-off or counter-claim.
Beyond these core pleadings, civil litigation involves a wide range of connected documents - interlocutory applications under Section 151 and various Orders (injunction under Order XXXIX, attachment before judgment under Order XXXVIII, amendment under Order VI Rule 17, impleadment under Order I Rule 10), interrogatories and discovery (Order XI), affidavits (Order XIX), decrees (Section 2(2) and Order XX), execution petitions (Order XXI), appeals (Sections 96 and 100), revisions (Section 115), and writ petitions under Article 226 and Article 32 of the Constitution of India.
The fundamental rule of pleading under Order VI Rule 2 is that every pleading must state material facts, not evidence, in a concise form. Pleadings are part of the court record and admissible under the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023.
When This Format Required?
Instituting a civil suit - filing a plaint for recovery of money, declaration, injunction, possession, or specific performance under Order VII CPC.
Defending a suit - filing a written statement, set-off, or counter-claim under Order VIII CPC within the prescribed time.
Seeking interim relief - applications for temporary injunction, attachment before judgment, appointment of receiver, or stay during the suit.
Procedural steps - discovery, interrogatories, amendment of pleadings, impleadment of parties, and summoning of witnesses.
Enforcing a decree - execution petitions, attachment, sale, and arrest under Order XXI CPC.
Challenging a decision - appeals, cross-objections, revisions, and writ petitions before the High Court and Supreme Court under the Constitution of India.
All Templates — Download Free
- Administration By Creditor On Behalf Of Himself And All Other CreditorsDownload
- Administration By Pecuniary LegateeDownload
- Administration By Specific LegateeDownload
- Administration By Specific LegateeDownload
- Admission Of Facts Pursuant To Notice O 12 R 5Download
- AffidavitDownload
- AffidavitDownload
- Affidavit ADownload
- Affidavit As To Documents O 11 R 13Download
- Affidavit BDownload
Quick Overview
Step-by-Step Guide
- 1
Identify the Pleading and the Governing Provision
Determine whether you are drafting a plaint (Order VII), a written statement (Order VIII), an interlocutory application (relevant Order + Section 151), a reply, a decree (Order XX), or an execution petition (Order XXI).
- 2
Cause Title and Court Heading
Begin with the correct court (e.g., "In the Court of the Civil Judge, Senior Division, ___"), the suit number and year, and the full names, descriptions, and addresses of the plaintiff and defendant.
- 3
Material Facts in Numbered Paragraphsmaterial facts
State only the in short, numbered paragraphs as required under Order VI Rule 2 CPC - never evidence. For a plaint, include the cause of action, date, jurisdiction, and valuation. For a written statement, respond paragraph by paragraph with specific admissions and denials.
- 4
Legal Grounds and Statutory Provisions
Set out the legal basis for the claim or defence, citing the relevant CPC provisions, substantive law, and case law where appropriate.
- 5
Prayer / Relief Clause
State the precise relief sought - recovery of money, possession, declaration, permanent or temporary injunction, specific performance, or any consequential relief. Quantify the suit value for court-fee and jurisdiction purposes.
- 6
Verification, Affidavit, Court Fee, and Signature
Add the verification under Order VI Rule 15 CPC, attach a supporting affidavit on stamp paper duly notarised, affix the prescribed court fee under the State Court Fees Act, and sign through the party and the advocate.
Types of Civil Pleadings
Plaints & Suits
Plaints instituting suits for money recovery, declaration, permanent injunction, possession, specific performance, and damages under Order VII of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
Written Statements & Defences
Defendant's written statements, defences in suits for debt, goods sold, bonds, guarantees, nuisance, negligence, foreclosure, and redemption under Order VIII CPC.
Interlocutory Applications
Applications for temporary injunction (Order XXXIX), attachment before judgment (Order XXXVIII), amendment of plaint (Order VI Rule 17), impleadment (Order I Rule 10), and inherent powers (Section 151 CPC).
Interrogatories, Discovery & Notices
Interrogatories and discovery (Order XI), notices to admit facts and documents (Order XII), summons to witnesses (Order XVI), and caveats under Section 148A CPC.
Decrees, Execution & Warrants
Preliminary and final decrees (Order XX, Order XXXIV), execution petitions (Order XXI), attachment, sale, and warrants of arrest in execution of money decrees.
Appeals, Revisions & Writs
Memorandum of appeal (Section 96), second appeal (Section 100), cross-objections, revision (Section 115), and writ petitions under Articles 226 and 32 of the Constitution of India.
Disclaimer: This template is provided for general informational and drafting reference purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Stamp duty, registration, and procedural requirements may vary by state. Consult a qualified advocate before executing or filing any legal document. For more details, see our Disclaimer.