Rules 8 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.
Rules 8 to 13 are the timetable of the Tribunal. They say where it sits, the ordinary sitting hours, when the office and filing counter are open, what inherent powers it keeps, who decides the calendar, and how a matter filed in a hurry gets listed.
The Tribunal sits at its headquarters or at another place within its territorial jurisdiction that it considers convenient. Ordinary sitting hours are 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM, subject to any order of the President. The office is open 09.30 A.M. to 6.00 P.M. and the filing counter 10.30 AM to 5.00 PM on working days. An urgent matter filed before 12 noon is listed the next working day if complete; in exceptional cases it can be received before 3.00 P.M. with the specific permission of the Bench. These Rules are read as amended up to the National Company Law Tribunal (Amendment) Rules, 2020 (G.S.R. 80(E), 3 February 2020); none of these six rules was changed by the amendments held.
Rule 8: sitting of the Tribunal
The Tribunal holds its sittings either at its headquarters or at such other place within its territorial jurisdiction as it considers convenient. Bench locations and circuit sittings are fixed by the President with the approval of the Central Government (see the definition of "Bench" in rule 2(7)); our post on section 419 on Benches of the NCLT explains the Benches. The current sitting pattern and any practice directions on it are outside these Rules and are not covered.
Rule 9: sitting hours
Sitting hours are ordinarily 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM, subject to any order made by the President.
Rule 10: working hours
- Rule 10(1). Except on Saturdays, Sundays and other National Holidays, the office of the Tribunal remains open on all working days from 09.30 A.M. to 6.00 P.M.
- Rule 10(2). The Filing Counter of the Registry is open on all working days from 10.30 AM to 5.00 P.M.
The filing counter is where petitions are presented under rule 23; see the article on rules 23, 23A and 24.
Rule 11: inherent powers
Nothing in the Rules limits or affects the inherent powers of the Tribunal to make such orders as may be necessary for meeting the ends of justice or to prevent abuse of the process of the Tribunal. The rule keeps a reserve power; it does not say what orders may be made.
Rule 12: calendar
The calendar of days of working of the Tribunal in a year is as decided by the President. The Rules do not print the calendar.
Rule 13: listing of cases
An urgent matter filed before 12 noon is listed before the Tribunal on the following working day, if it is complete in all respects as provided in the Rules. In exceptional cases, it may be received after 12 noon but before 3.00 P.M. for listing on the following day, with the specific permission of the Bench.
Two things follow from the wording. A matter with defects is not "complete in all respects", and scrutiny under rule 28 can return it; see the article on scrutiny of defects. And the 3.00 P.M. window is by permission only. Our dispute resolution team prepares urgent filings with these points in view.
Timing at a glance
| Item | NCLT Rules | NCLAT Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Place | Headquarters or another convenient place within territorial jurisdiction (rule 8) | Headquarters in New Delhi (rule 8) |
| Sitting hours | 10:30 AM-1:00 PM; 2:00-4:30 PM, subject to the President (rule 9) | 09.30 AM-01.00 PM; 2.15-5.00 PM, extendable by the Tribunal (rule 9) |
| Office | 09.30 A.M.-6.00 P.M., except Saturdays, Sundays and National Holidays (rule 10(1)) | 09:30 A.M.-6.00 P.M. on working days |
| Filing counter | 10.30 AM-5.00 P.M. (rule 10(2)) | Same |
| Urgent matters | Before 12 noon; before 3.00 P.M. with the Bench's permission (rule 13) | Same, with permission of the Appellate Tribunal or the Chairperson |
| Calendar | President (rule 12) | Chairperson and Members |
An example
Delta Power Limited needs urgent relief in a pending petition. Its authorised representative presents a complete application at the filing counter at 11.40 AM. Under rule 13 it is listed on the following working day. If the application is presented at 1.30 PM, it can be received for the following day only with the specific permission of the Bench, and before 3.00 P.M.
Same as before the NCLAT?
Rules 11, 13 and the counter hours match; the sitting place, sitting hours and calendar differ, as the table shows. The NCLAT rule 11 adds the words "or give such directions", and the NCLAT urgent-listing permission may come from the Appellate Tribunal or the Chairperson. See Rules 8 to 15 of the NCLAT Rules. Rules 14 and 15, on exemption and extension of time, are in the article on rules 14, 15, 58 and 153.
What a practitioner checks
- Which place the Tribunal is sitting for your matter, and the sitting hours the President has fixed.
- That the filing reaches the counter before 5.00 P.M., and before 12 noon if urgent listing for the next working day is needed.
- That the urgent filing is complete in all respects.
- That any later arrangement set by NCLT practice directions is checked separately.
Need help with an urgent application before the NCLT?
Urgent listing depends on a complete filing and on the clock. If you need an application prepared and presented in time, speak to our dispute resolution team.
Key takeaways
- The Tribunal sits at headquarters or another convenient place within its territorial jurisdiction (rule 8).
- Sitting hours: 10:30 AM-1:00 PM and 2:00-4:30 PM, subject to the President (rule 9).
- Office 09.30 A.M.-6.00 P.M.; filing counter 10.30 AM-5.00 P.M. (rule 10).
- Urgent matter before 12 noon: listed the next working day if complete; before 3.00 P.M. only with the Bench's specific permission (rule 13).
- The President decides the calendar (rule 12).
Read next
- Rules 3-7: computing time, forms, orders and the seal
- Rules 14, 15, 58 and 153: exemption and extension of time
- Section 419: Benches of the NCLT
- Rules 8-15 of the NCLAT Rules
Disclaimer: Based on the National Company Law Tribunal Rules, 2016 (G.S.R. 716(E)) as amended up to the National Company Law Tribunal (Amendment) Rules, 2020 (G.S.R. 80(E)), consulted on 3 October 2026. Later amendments, fees, forms, NCLT practice directions and the Companies Act, 2013 provisions referred to should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.