Madras High Court Makes E-Filing Mandatory For District Courts Dealing With Cheque Bounce Cases

The Madras High Court has made e-filing mandatory in District Courts dealing with cases arising under S.138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act.

A notification in this regard was issued by the Registrar General (in charge) M Jothiraman on July 3 informing the advocates, parties-in-person that the e-filing can be done through the e-filing portal developed by the e-Committee, Supreme Court of India which will commence on July 07.

"The High Court, Madras, upon approval of the Hon’ble The Chief Justice hereby notifies that the facility of e-filing of cases is made mandatory initially to the Courts dealing with cases arising under S.138 of Negotiable Instruments Act in the District Judiciary on e-filing portal (https://efiling.ecourts.gov.in) developed by the Hon’ble e-Committee, Supreme Court of India which will commence on and from 17.07.2023," the notification reads.

The notification also urges the Advocates/Party-in-person to use their own electronic gadgets for the purpose of e-filing. It also says that the detailed guideline and tutorial for e-filing prepared by the Madras High Court and a user manual prepared by the Supreme Court e-committe is available for reference on the Madras High Court website.

The Supreme Court had, in October 2021, directed High Courts to make e-filing mandatory in certain categories of cases. In the notification, the Supreme Court had specified that Suits for money recovery (loan recovery suits by banks, arrears of rent, etc.), complaints under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, applications for maintenance, petitions for divorce by mutual consent and bail applications could be considered for mandatory e-filing.