Order VI Rule 14A CPC: Address for Service of Notice
Order 6 Rule 14A of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 governs the address that a litigating party registers with the court for service of summons, notices and other court processes. It also explains how to update that address and what may happen when an address is false or incomplete.
Order VI Rule 14A CPC: Statutory provision
The following reproduces the eight sub-rules of Order VI Rule 14A, with paragraph formatting for readability.
(1) Every pleading, when filed by a party, shall be accompanied by a statement in the prescribed form, signed as provided in rule 14, regarding the address of the party.
(2) Such address may, from time to time, be changed by lodging in Court a form duly filled up and stating the new address of the party and accompanied by a verified petition.
(3) The address furnished in the statement made under sub-rule (1) shall be called the "registered address" of the party, and shall, until duly changed as aforesaid, be deemed to be the address of the party for the purpose of service of all processes in the suit or in any appeal from any decree or order therein made and for the purpose of execution, and shall hold good, subject as aforesaid, for a period of two years after the final determination of the cause or matter.
(4) Service of any process may be effected upon a party at his registered address in all respects as though such party resided thereat.
(5) Where the registered address of a party is discovered by the Court to be incomplete, false or fictitious, the Court may, either on its own motion, or on the application of any party, order: (a) in the case where such registered address was furnished by a plaintiff, stay of the suit; or (b) in the case where such registered address was furnished by a defendant, his defence be struck out and he be placed in the same position as if he had not put up any defence.
(6) Where a suit is stayed or a defence is struck out under sub-rule (5), the plaintiff or, as the case may be, the defendant may, after furnishing his true address, apply to the Court for an order to set aside the order of stay or, as the case may be, the order striking out the defence.
(7) The Court, if satisfied that the party was prevented by any sufficient cause from filing the true address at the proper time, shall set aside the order of stay or order striking out the defence, on such terms as to costs or otherwise as it thinks fit and shall appoint a day for proceeding with the suit or defence, as the case may be.
(8) Nothing in this rule shall prevent the Court from directing the service of a process at any other address, if, for any reason, it thinks fit to do so.
Meaning of address for service of notice
Registered address means the address a party formally supplies to the court under Rule 14A(1). It is an address recognized for delivery of court process; it is not necessarily proof that the party actually resides there. Rule 14A(4) permits service at that address as if the party lived there.
Service of process refers to the legally prescribed delivery of court documents, such as summons, notices or orders. Rule 14A operates alongside the CPC rules on the manner and proof of service; it does not displace other procedural safeguards.
Prescribed form refers to the applicable court-prescribed address statement. The form and filing practice may be governed by the relevant High Court rules or local procedural requirements.
How Rule 14A works: Eight key requirements
| Sub-rule | Legal effect |
|---|---|
| (1) | A pleading must be accompanied by a signed address statement in the prescribed form. |
| (2) | A change of address is made by filing the completed form stating the new address with a verified petition. |
| (3) | The registered address applies to the suit, appeals and execution, and continues for two years after final determination unless duly changed. |
| (4) | Service at the registered address may be treated as service on the party as though resident there. |
| (5) | An incomplete, false or fictitious address can lead to a stay of the plaintiff's suit or striking out of the defendant's defence. |
| (6) | After giving the true address, the affected party may seek to set aside the stay or striking-out order. |
| (7) | On proof of sufficient cause for not furnishing the true address in time, the court must set aside the order, subject to appropriate terms. |
| (8) | The court remains free to direct service at another address when appropriate. |
Is the two-year period a limitation period?
No. The two-year reference in sub-rule (3) concerns how long the registered address remains operative after final determination of the matter, subject to a proper change. It does not itself prescribe the limitation period for an appeal or execution application.
False or incomplete address: Is the penalty automatic?
No. Under sub-rule (5), the court may make the specified order upon discovering that the registered address is incomplete, false or fictitious. The consequence differs depending on whether the address was provided by the plaintiff or defendant. A party affected by such an order may apply for relief under sub-rules (6) and (7).
Practical examples
Example 1: A party moves during litigation
A defendant changes offices after filing a written statement. Instead of merely informing the opposite lawyer, the defendant should lodge the required new-address form and verified petition in court under Rule 14A(2). Until the change is duly recorded, the existing registered address remains relevant for service.
Example 2: An inaccurate address in the plaint
A plaintiff supplies a fictitious address in the statement accompanying the plaint. The court may stay the suit under Rule 14A(5)(a). After supplying a true address, the plaintiff can seek restoration; the court considers the sufficient-cause requirement in sub-rule (7).
Example 3: Service at an alternative location
Even where an address is registered, the court may direct service at another address if the circumstances justify it. That discretion is expressly preserved by Rule 14A(8).
Related CPC provisions and official legal sources
- Order VI Rule 14 CPC - signing of pleadings, expressly referenced in Rule 14A(1).
- Order VI Rule 11 CPC - pleading an allegation of notice, a distinct subject from the service address under Rule 14A.
- Order VI Rule 15 CPC - verification of pleadings.
- CPC sections, orders and rules - internal reference index.
- India Code (Government of India) - official portal for checking the current central legislation and amendments.
Procedural rules, local amendments, court-specific filing forms and directions may affect practice. Consult the applicable court rules and the current statutory text for a particular proceeding.
Frequently asked questions
What is the registered address under Order VI Rule 14A CPC?
It is the address declared by a party in the prescribed statement accompanying a pleading. Until duly changed, it is treated as the address for service of process in the suit, relevant appeals and execution.
How long does a registered address remain valid?
Subject to a duly recorded change, the rule says the registered address continues for two years after final determination of the cause or matter.
Can a party change the address for service?
Yes. Under sub-rule (2), the party lodges the prescribed form with the new address and a verified petition in court.
What happens if a false address is given?
The court may stay the plaintiff's suit or strike out the defendant's defence. Sub-rules (6) and (7) provide a route to seek restoration after furnishing the true address and showing sufficient cause.
Can the court direct service at a different address?
Yes. Sub-rule (8) expressly preserves the court's power to direct service at another address when appropriate.