Understanding the Causelist and Display Board of the Bombay High Court (HIGH COURT PRACTICE 7)

 

The Daily Cause List contains cases scheduled for hearing on a particular date and indicates the stage of each matter and the purpose of the day’s hearing. It is published on the High Court website and displayed outside courtrooms. The Display Board shows the cases currently being heard from the cause list and enables live tracking of proceedings. Law students and junior advocates often find it difficult to understand the entries in the cause list at the initial stage. A clear understanding of the cause list is essential for effective preparation for the next hearing.

(A) Display Board

The Display Board reflects the live status of cases being heard from the cause list. It is available on the High Court website as well as outside courtrooms and assists advocates in tracking proceedings in real time.

The display board generally contains the following columns:

1. Court Room Number – Indicates the court number and the names of the presiding judges
2. Current Serial Number – Shows the serial number presently being heard from the cause list.
3. Kept Back Cases – Indicates matters that have been kept back to be taken up later.

Understanding the display board is essential for effective time management and courtroom coordination.

(B) Cause List

The Daily Cause List is a list of cases scheduled for hearing on a particular date. It indicates:

• The serial number of the case
• The stage of the matter
• The purpose of listing on that day

The cause list is published on the High Court website and displayed outside courtrooms. Different matters are listed for different purposes such as admission, interim relief, final hearing, or orders.

Serial Numbers and Types of Matters in the Cause List

Matters in the cause list are categorised by serial numbers, indicating their nature:

1. Regular Daily Board Matters – Serial Nos. 1, 2, 3, …
2. Weekly Board Matters – Serial Nos. 201, 202, 203, …
3. Production Board Matters – Serial Nos. 501, 502, 503, …
4. Supplementary Board Matters – Serial Nos. 901, 902, 903, …

A sample cause list may be downloaded for reference – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Mt1pjmORs4leFO6ai6-63HEfV-hAsyBa/view?usp=drivesdk

 

Tips for Understanding the Cause List

1. Thoroughly read and understand the provisions of CPC, BNSS/CrPC, and the High Court Rules.
2. Understand the different stages of High Court proceedings.
3. Familiarise yourself with the meaning of various steps and notations used in the cause list.
4. Track the progress of your case regularly and prepare accordingly for each listing.

 

Different Stages Reflected in the Cause List (of the Bombay High Court)

(I) Original Side & Appellate Side (Civil)

1. For Circulation / Urgent Circulation - Matter is mentioned for urgent listing before the regular turn, usually by praecipe, due to urgency.
2. For Admission / Due for Admission - The Court considers whether the petition/appeal should be admitted or dismissed at the threshold.
3. First on Board (FOB) - Matter is taken up at the beginning of the board due to urgency or Court’s direction.
4. High on Board (HOB) - Matter is listed higher in priority than its serial number.
5. For Directions - Court issues procedural directions (filing replies, affidavits, timelines, etc.).
6. For Compliance - Court checks whether earlier directions/orders have been complied with.
7. For Extension of Time - Request to extend time granted earlier for compliance.
8. For Ad-Interim Relief - Request for immediate temporary relief before hearing the other side.
9. For Further Ad-Interim Relief - Continuation or modification of earlier ad-interim relief.
10. For Extension of Interim Relief - Prayer to continue interim protection already granted.
11. Interim Application - Application filed during pendency of main matter seeking interim relief.
12. For Orders (Interim Applications) - Court passes orders on interim applications.
13. For Orders (Due Matters) - Matters listed for pronouncement of orders reserved earlier.
14. For Passing Orders - Final or interim orders are passed.
15. For Speaking to the Minutes - Limited request for correction/clarification of minor errors in an order.
16. Part-Heard Matters - Arguments have begun but are not yet concluded.
17. Due Matters / Adjourned Matters - Matters adjourned earlier and now listed again.
18. For Settlement / Consent Terms - Matter listed for recording settlement or consent terms.
19. For Withdrawal - Petitioner seeks permission to withdraw the matter.
20. For Dismissal - Matter is likely to be dismissed for non-prosecution or other reasons.
21. For Final Hearing - Matter is listed for final arguments.
22. For Hearing and Final Disposal - Court intends to hear and dispose of the matter on the same day.
23. Pronouncement of Judgment - Judgment is delivered after being reserved.
24. Contempt Petition – For Admission - Court considers whether to admit a contempt petition.
25. Review Petition – For Admission - Court examines whether review petition deserves admission.
26. Arbitration Matters

·         For Orders – Section 11 Petition - Appointment of arbitrator

·         For Admission – Section 37 Appeal - Admission stage of arbitration appeal

·         For Hearing – Section 37 Appeal -  Final hearing of arbitration appeal

 

(II) Appellate Side (Criminal) – In addition to the stages applicable to the Civil Side, the following stages are specific to criminal matters on the Appellate Side of the High Court.

1.  For Circulation (Anticipatory Bail Applications) - Matters mentioned urgently for listing of anticipatory bail applications before their regular turn in the cause list, usually by praecipe, due to urgency.

2.  For Circulation (Bail Applications) - Urgent mentioning of regular bail applications seeking early listing.

3.  For Admission (Anticipatory Bail Applications) - The Court considers whether anticipatory bail should be granted, rejected, or interim protection should be extended after hearing the parties.

4.    For Admission (Bail Applications) - The Court considers grant or rejection of regular bail after examining the case record, seriousness of offence, and submissions of both sides.

5.  Fresh Admission (Anticipatory Bail Applications) - Newly filed anticipatory bail applications listed for the first time before the Court for initial consideration.

6.   For Final Hearing – Appeal against Conviction (Accused in Jail) - Criminal appeals where the accused is in custody and undergoing sentence.

7.      For Final Hearing – Appeal against Conviction (Accused on Bail) - Appeals where the accused has been convicted but is released on bail pending appeal.

8.  For Final Hearing – Appeal against Acquittal - Appeals filed by the State or complainant challenging an order of acquittal passed by the trial court.