Practice directions explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
The last three regulations of the Consumer Commission Procedure Regulations are short but useful to anyone who appears in person. Regulation 24 lets the National Commission issue practice directions, regulation 25 requires a written next date for an illiterate party, and regulation 26 sets out six miscellaneous rules, including that a Commission shall not insist on advocates and that certain parties are heard on priority.
The regulations were made by the National Commission under section 103 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. This article takes them as amended up to 3 October 2026 (no amending regulations traced). Later amendments should be checked on the website of the National Commission or the Department of Consumer Affairs.
The National Commission may issue practice directions from time to time for the proper conduct of cases, including forms for complaints, notices and returns. A party who appears in person and is illiterate must be given the next date of hearing in writing. Regulation 26 tells Commissions to avoid the Code of Civil Procedure except where the Act or rules refer to it, to computerise, to treat parties in person with courtesy, not to insist on advocates, and to list cases of senior citizens, physically challenged persons, widows and persons with serious ailments on a priority basis.
Parties who want to appear in person but are unsure of the forms or dates can ask for consumer complaint filing support before the first hearing.
Regulation 24: practice directions
Regulation 24 says the National Commission "shall be entitled to issue practice directions from time to time as may be necessary for the proper conduct of the cases before Consumer Commission including prescribing forms for complaints, notices, returns, certificate to be issued to the collector and the like".
Three points follow from the text.
- It is a power. The regulation does not itself contain any direction.
- The subject is the proper conduct of cases before Consumer Commissions, and the examples given are forms: for complaints, notices, returns and the certificate to be issued to the Collector.
- The directions come "from time to time", so they are separate documents that can change. This article does not describe any practice direction; a party should check the current ones on the National Commission's website before filing.
The regulation does not say when a certificate to the Collector is issued. For the enforcement of Commission orders and the Act's provisions on administrative control, see section 71 of the Act and section 70 on administrative control.
Regulation 25: the written next date
Regulation 25 is headed "Parcsha Yad-dast" in the printed text, which appears to be a spelling variation of the term parcha yaddasht; the article uses the heading as printed. The operative words say that where a party appears in person and is illiterate, "the Court Master or Bench Clerk shall give to that party the next date of hearing in writing".
The effect is simple. An illiterate party who has no advocate will not leave the Commission uncertain about the next date. The duty is on the Court Master or Bench Clerk, not on the party to ask. An invented example: Mohan Lal, a shopkeeper who cannot read, attends a hearing alone. Before he leaves, the Bench Clerk must hand him a written note of the next date, which he can show to a relative or a neighbour.
Regulation 26: miscellaneous
| Sub-regulation | What it says |
|---|---|
| 26(1) | Parties and their agents are to make an endeavour to avoid provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; proviso: those provisions referred to in the Act or the rules may be applied |
| 26(2) | Every State Commission and District Commission shall take steps for computerisation and networking |
| 26(3) | Proper respect and courtesy to parties who appear in person, and separate accommodation in the Hall for their convenience |
| 26(4) | The Commission shall not insist on parties engaging advocates |
| 26(5) | Fees for inspection and certified copies are deposited in the account kept for the complaint-filing fee, as prescribed by the Central Government by rules |
| 26(6) | Cases by or against senior citizens, physically challenged persons, widows and persons suffering from serious ailments are listed and disposed of on a priority basis |
Regulation 26(1): the Code of Civil Procedure
The endeavour to avoid the Code is addressed to "the parties and their agent". The proviso keeps the provisions the Act or the rules refer to. The reading is that Commission proceedings are meant to be simpler than civil suits, while the Code applies where the law specifically brings it in. The regulation does not list those provisions.
Regulation 26(2) and (3): technology and courtesy
State and District Commissions must "take steps" for computerisation and networking. The regulation fixes no deadline and prescribes no system. Regulation 26(3) asks for proper respect and courtesy to parties who appear in person and separate accommodation in the Hall for their convenience.
Regulation 26(4): advocates
The Commission "shall not insist upon the parties to engage advocates". Representation by an advocate is allowed, as regulation 16 shows, but a Commission cannot require it. Authorised agents and consumer organisations are dealt with in the article on regulations 15 to 18.
Regulation 26(5): where the fees go
The fees collected for inspection of documents and supply of certified copies, which are printed in regulations 21 and 22, go into the account maintained for depositing the complaint-filing fee. Those regulations are explained in the article on regulations 19 to 23.
Regulation 26(6): priority listing
Four classes are named: senior citizens, physically challenged persons, widows and persons suffering from serious ailments. Cases "filed by or against" them are listed and disposed of on a priority basis. The text does not define "serious ailments" or "senior citizens"; it also does not give a time within which such cases must be decided. A party who falls in one of these classes should state it in the complaint or in an early application so that the Registry can list the case accordingly.
How the series fits together
These regulations as a whole describe how a Commission sits, how complaints are scrutinised, how hearings, limitation and orders work and how records are kept. The first group, on arrangements, dress code, hearing hours and the cause list, is in the article on regulations 1 to 6. The rules on appeal filing are in the Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions Rules, and the administrative side is in the Administrative Control Regulations, covered in the next article.
Need help appearing before a Consumer Commission?
Appearing in person is allowed, and a Commission cannot insist on an advocate, but the first filing and the follow-up dates still need care. Our consumer complaint filing team can prepare the complaint and explain what to expect at each hearing so that you can manage the process yourself or with an adviser.
Key takeaways
- The National Commission may issue practice directions, including forms; check the current ones before filing.
- An illiterate party who appears in person must be given the next date of hearing in writing.
- Commissions are to avoid the Code of Civil Procedure except where the Act or rules refer to it.
- A Commission shall not insist that parties engage advocates.
- Senior citizens, physically challenged persons, widows and persons with serious ailments get priority listing and disposal.
- The heading of regulation 25 is printed as "Parcsha Yad-dast"; the article uses it as printed.
Read next
- Regulations 19–23: records, certified copies and inspection
- Regulations 1–6: arrangements, dress code, hearing hours and cause list
- Regulations 1–8 of the Administrative Control Regulations, 2020
- Section 70: administrative control over Commissions
Disclaimer: Based on the rules, regulations and guidelines named above as published in the Gazette of India or on the CCPA website, with the amending notifications the article names (consulted on 3 October 2026). Later amendments, the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 provisions referred to, State rules and CCPA advisories should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.