NCLT Empowers Single Judges to Speed Up Case Disposal

NCLT Empowers Single Judges to Speed Up Case Disposal

The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has taken a significant step to streamline case management and improve efficiency in the disposal of cases under the Companies Act, 2013 and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.

• The NCLT has authorised Single Judicial Member Benches to hear and dispose of specified classes of matters, including early hearing applications, condonation of delay, and extensions of CIRP or liquidation periods.
• Single-member benches can handle procedural, urgent, and uncontested matters, but safeguards are retained for contested matters affecting substantive rights, which must continue before Division Benches.
• The order restricts single-member benches from adjudicating complex disputes and allows parties to request transfer to a Division Bench if needed.

Readers should care about this development as it aims to ensure timely resolution of cases while maintaining fairness in adjudication. This reform reflects a pragmatic approach to balancing speed with judicial safeguards, ultimately benefiting businesses and stakeholders involved in NCLT proceedings.

The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), by order dated 27 April 2026, has authorised Single Judicial Member Benches to hear and dispose of specified classes of matters under the Companies Act, 2013 and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 to ensure faster disposal and reduce pendency. Exercising powers under the proviso to Section 419(3), the order permits single-member benches to handle procedural, urgent, and uncontested matters such as early hearing applications, condonation of delay, extensions of CIRP or liquidation periods, substitution of IRP/RP/liquidator, and recording of CoC changes. However, safeguards are retained—contested matters affecting substantive rights must continue before Division Benches, and any party can request such transfer. The order also restricts single-member benches from adjudicating complex disputes. Effective immediately across all benches, the reform aims to streamline case management, improve efficiency, and ensure timely resolution while maintaining fairness in adjudication. It reflects a pragmatic approach to balancing speed with judicial safeguards.

File No. 10/03 /2 026-NCLT NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL

6th Floor, Block-3, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi- 110003 Dated: 27th April 2026

Subject: Specification of matters under the Companies Act, 2013 and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 to be heard by Single Judicial Member Benches under proviso to Section 419(3) of the Companies Act, 2013

Whereas, Section 419(3) of the Companies Act, 2013 provides that the powers of the Tribunal shall ordinarily be exercisable by Benches consisting of two Members, comprising one Judicial Member and one Technical Member;

And whereas, the proviso to Section 419(3) empowers the Honble President to constitute a Bench consisting of a single Judicial Member and to specify, by general or special order, the class of cases to be dealt with by such Bench;

And whereas, it is considered necessary and expedient, in the interest of timely disposal of cases, reduction of pendency, and efficient case management, to classify certain procedural, uncontested, and urgent matters as a distinct class of cases suitable for adjudication by Single Judicial Member Benches;

Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to Section 419(3) of the Companies Act, 2013, the Hon’ble President hereby orders as follows:

1. Single Judicial Member Benches are hereby authorised to hear and dispose of the following class of matters under the Companies Act, 2013 and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 as the case may be, subject to the limitations contained herein.

a. Early hearing applications.

b. Pass necessary/appropriate orders for completion of pleadings and ensuring compliance with the directions issued by the Tribunal/Adjudicating Authority.

c. Condonation of delay in filing of application/ reply affidavit/rejoinder/ or any other affidavit as directed by the Tribunal/ Adjudicating Authority.

d. Applications relating to extension of CIRP period and Liquidation period, where such applications are unopposed or do not involve complex questions.

e. Extension of interim relief previously granted by a Division Bench.

f. Unopposed and uncontested applications seeking confirmation /substitution /replacement of IRP/ RP/ Liquidator.

g. Unopposed and uncontested applications seeking substitution of parties/LR’s etc.

h. Taking on record the progress reports filed by the IRP/RP/Liquidator, as the case may

i. Unopposed and uncontested application seeking to take on record constitution and reconstitution of COC.

j. Procedural directions to the Registry.

a. If any party requests that the matter be heard by a Division Bench, then the matter shall be placed before the DivisionBench.

b. Final adjudication of contested matters affecting substantive rights shall not be undertaken by a Single Judicial Member.

c. Matters not falling within the specified class of cases shall not be taken up by a Single Judicial Member.

3. This Order shall come into force with immediate effect and shall apply to all Benches of the Tribunal unless otherwise directed.

By Order of the Honble Acting President.

(Utkarsh Yadav) Registrar

Readers should treat this as a tax and compliance update, not as personal advice.

This article is for general information based on available source information. It should not be considered legal, tax, investment, or financial advice.