Schedule 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.
Order XV-A is the Schedule's roadmap for the trial of a commercial suit. The court must hold the first case management hearing within four weeks of the filing of the affidavit of admission or denial of documents by all parties, then fix a schedule for issues, witnesses, evidence and arguments, and ensure that arguments close within six months of that first hearing. This article reads paragraph 6 (Order XV omitted) and paragraph 7 (Order XV-A, Rules 1 to 5) as amended up to 3 May 2018, as per the text consulted, for parties planning a commercial suit filing.
The first Case Management Hearing must be held not later than four weeks from the date of filing of the affidavit of admission or denial of documents by all parties. Once it finds issues of fact and law that require trial, the court may frame issues, list witnesses and fix dates for affidavits of evidence, recording of evidence and written and oral arguments. It must ensure that arguments are closed not later than six months from the first Case Management Hearing, and evidence is recorded day to day as far as possible.
Paragraph 6: Order XV omitted
Paragraph 6 of the Schedule says "Order XV of the Code shall be omitted." The Schedule does not reproduce Order XV, so nothing is described about it. Paragraph 7, headed "Insertion of Code XV-A" in the copy consulted (the text inserts Order XV-A), then puts the new Order in its place.
Rule 1: the first Case Management Hearing
"The Court shall hold the first Case Management Hearing, not later than four weeks from the date of filing of affidavit of admission or denial of documents by all parties to the suit."
Three points stand out:
- The duty is on the court ("shall hold").
- The clock starts when all parties have filed the affidavit of admission or denial. That affidavit comes from Order XI Rule 4(5); see our article on inspection, admission and denial of documents.
- The period is four weeks, not days.
Rule 2: orders in a Case Management Hearing
"In a Case Management Hearing, after hearing the parties, and once it finds that there are issues of fact and law which require to be tried, the Court may pass an order":
| Clause | Order |
|---|---|
| (a) | Framing the issues between the parties in accordance with Order XIV of the Code, after examining pleadings, documents and documents produced before it, and on examination conducted by the Court under Rule 2 of Order X, if required |
| (b) | Listing witnesses to be examined by the parties |
| (c) | Fixing the date by which affidavits of evidence are to be filed by the parties |
| (d) | Fixing the date on which evidence of the witnesses is to be recorded |
| (e) | Fixing the date by which written arguments are to be filed |
| (f) | Fixing the date on which oral arguments are to be heard |
| (g) | Setting time limits for parties and their advocates to address oral arguments |
Order XIV and Order X Rule 2 of the Code are named as printed; the source does not describe them. The order in Rule 2 is available "once it finds that there are issues of fact and law which require to be tried". Where the pleadings leave nothing to try, the Order does not require this schedule. The affidavits of evidence and the written arguments fixed here are the subject of our article on Order XVIII.
Rule 3: time limit for completion of the trial
"In fixing dates or setting time limits for the purposes of Rule 2 of this Order, the Court shall ensure that the arguments are closed not later than six months from the date of the first Case Management Hearing."
This is the outer frame. Every date the court fixes under Rule 2 has to fit inside it. The text sets the limit for closing arguments, not for pronouncing judgment; the ninety-day period for judgment is in Order XX Rule 1, which is covered in our article on Order XIX and Order XX.
Rule 4: evidence day to day
"The Court shall, as far as possible, ensure that the recording of evidence shall be carried on, on a day-to-day basis until the cross-examination of all the witnesses is complete." The qualifier "as far as possible" is part of the text.
Rule 5: Case Management Hearings during a trial
"The Court may, if necessary, also hold Case Management Hearings anytime during the trial to issue appropriate orders so as to ensure adherence by the parties to the dates fixed under Rule 2 and facilitate speedy disposal of the suit." So the first hearing is not the only one; the court can return to the schedule whenever necessary.
The trial timeline in a table
| Stage | Source in the Schedule | Period or marker |
|---|---|---|
| Plaint and written statement with lists of documents | Order XI Rule 1 | With the pleadings |
| Inspection | Order XI Rule 3(1) | Thirty days from filing the written statement (or written statement to the counterclaim), whichever is later |
| Statement of admissions or denials, with affidavit | Order XI Rule 4 | Fifteen days from completing inspection or later date fixed by the Court |
| First Case Management Hearing | Order XV-A Rule 1 | Not later than four weeks from filing of the affidavit of admission or denial by all parties |
| Issues, witness list, dates | Order XV-A Rule 2 | At the Case Management Hearing |
| Closing of arguments | Order XV-A Rule 3 | Not later than six months from the first Case Management Hearing |
| Judgment | Order XX Rule 1 | Within ninety days of the conclusion of arguments |
Where case management meets other rules
- Summary judgment. Order XV-A Rule 6(1)(a) lets the court hear a pending summary judgment application before issues are framed, and Order XIII-A Rule 6(1)(f) lets the court send a case to case management; our articles on Order XIII-A explain both.
- Transferred suits. Section 15(4) lets the court hold case management hearings in a transferred suit to prescribe new timelines.
- Powers of the court. Rules 6 to 8 of Order XV-A give the court wide powers and consequences for non-compliance; see our article on powers of the court.
Practical points for parties
- Treat the filing of the affidavit of admission or denial as the date that starts the four-week clock; check the date the last party files.
- Go to the first hearing ready with a list of proposed issues, witnesses and dates.
- Plan evidence for continuous sittings, since the court is told to record evidence day to day as far as possible.
- Remember that all dates must fit within six months from the first hearing for closing of arguments.
Example. Kesar Textiles Ltd and a buyer both file their affidavits of admission or denial on 10 March. The court must hold the first Case Management Hearing not later than four weeks from that date. At it the court frames issues, lists four witnesses, fixes dates for affidavits of evidence and recording of evidence, and sets dates for written and oral arguments, all so that arguments close within six months from that hearing.
Points to check in the text
- Paragraph 7 is headed "Insertion of Code XV-A"; the text inserts Order XV-A.
- Order XIV, Order X Rule 2 and Order XV are named only.
- The text sets no consequence in Rules 1 to 5 for a missed date; Rules 6 to 8 supply powers and consequences for non-compliance with orders.
Need help planning a commercial trial timetable?
A commercial suit now runs to a schedule. If you want your documents, witnesses and affidavits organised for the first Case Management Hearing, see our commercial suit filing page.
Key takeaways
- Order XV is omitted and Order XV-A inserted.
- The first Case Management Hearing is due not later than four weeks from the filing of the affidavit of admission or denial of documents by all parties.
- The court may frame issues, list witnesses and fix dates for evidence and arguments.
- Arguments must be closed not later than six months from the first Case Management Hearing.
- Evidence is to be recorded day to day as far as possible, and further hearings may be held during trial.
Read next
- Order XV-A: powers of the court, adjournment and non-compliance
- Order XVIII: written arguments and affidavits of evidence
- Order XIX and Order XX: judgment in ninety days
- Suits: institution, parties and cause of action under the CPC
Disclaimer: Based on a text of the Commercial Courts Act, 2015 as amended up to 3 May 2018 and on the Ninth Schedule to the Mediation Act, 2023 as enacted, as consulted on 2 October 2026. Later amendments, the current Specified Value, the pre-institution mediation rules and High Court rules should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.