What is an Ex-Parte Decree?

About Ex-Parte Decree:

• An ‘Ex parte decree’ is a decree passed against a defendant in absentia.
• Even after a summons is served, if only the plaintiff shows up for the hearing and the defendant does not, the court may proceed to hear the lawsuit ex parte and issue a decree against the defendant.
• The legal validity, enforceability, and operation of such a decree are similar to those of any bipartite decree.
• Can an Ex-Parte Decree be set aside?
  • Courts generally aim to ensure fairness and due process, and if a genuine reason for the party’s absence is established, the ex-parte order can be set aside, allowing for a re-evaluation of the case with both parties present. 
  • The defendant against whom an ex-parte decree is passed, can file an application to the court that passed such a decree to set it aside on two grounds:
    • Summons were not duly served upon him.
    • He was prevented by sufficient cause from appearing before court.
  • As per the CPC, there is no specific time limit mentioned to file an application to set aside the ex-parte order, but it is advisable to file the application as soon as possible after becoming aware of the ex-parte order.
  • Supporting Evidence: The applicant should provide supporting evidence to substantiate their claim. For example, if the ground for setting aside the order is improper service of summons, the applicant may need to provide proof that the summons was not served correctly.
  • Hearing: The court will schedule a hearing to consider the application. The court will assess the validity of the grounds presented by the applicant and may inquire into the circumstances that led to the ex-parte order. 
  • Discretion of the Court:
    • The court has the discretion to decide whether the grounds presented are sufficient and whether the ex-parte order should be set aside.
    • The court may also impose conditions and terms, including costs and other factors, when setting aside the order.