How to file/ institute an action?
1 This should be done in terms of the Supreme Court Rules
The order of the documents to be filed:
Motions
Petitions and Affidavits
Proxies
Marked documents
Sufficient stamps and envelopes as required
There should be one copy for each member of the bench and one for the main case record.
That is;
For a three member bench, you need to provide minimum 4 sets.
A five member bench you need to provide minimum 6 sets
In addition, there should be one copy for each of the parties.
Ex: 3 respondents need 3 additional copies.
When the copy of the appeal exceeds 400 pages, it should be submitted in volumes. (Ex:900pages in 3 volumes – 400,400 & 100)
A new case can be instituted between 9.a.m. to 3 p.m.
The order of the documents to be filed:
Motions
Petitions and Affidavits
Proxies
Marked documents
Sufficient stamps and envelopes as required
There should be one copy for each member of the bench and one for the main case record.
That is;
For a three member bench, you need to provide minimum 4 sets.
A five member bench you need to provide minimum 6 sets
In addition, there should be one copy for each of the parties.
Ex: 3 respondents need 3 additional copies.
When the copy of the appeal exceeds 400 pages, it should be submitted in volumes. (Ex:900pages in 3 volumes – 400,400 & 100)
A new case can be instituted between 9.a.m. to 3 p.m.
What do you mean by time bar
That is the time frame within which an action / matter should be filed.
An action should be filed in accordance with the Supreme Court Rules and other Acts & Ordinance.
For Examples:
Fundamental Right – According to constitution (Article no. 126) – within one month from the date of the alleged breach of rights.
Special Determination – 21st constitutional amendment (Article 121 (1) – within fourteen days from the date a bill is tabled in Parliament.
Leave to Appeal – From High Court to Supreme Court – within 06 weeks from the date of order / judgment.
Special Leave to Appeal – From Court of Appeal to Supreme Court – within 06 weeks.
(Six weeks of the order, judgment, decree or sentence of the Court of Appeal in respect of which Special Leave to Appeal is sought)
Caveat
Caveat by Respondent of his intention to oppose an application for Special Leave to Appeal Within 14 days of the receipt of notice
From High Courts of the Provinces
An appeal lies directly to the Supreme Court from a final order, judgment, decree or sentence of a High Court in the exercise of the appellate jurisdiction vested in it by paragraph (3) (b) of Article 154P of the Constitution and Section 3 of High Courts of the Provinces (Special Provisions) Act No. 19 of 1990, with leave from the High Court or special leave from the Supreme Court within six weeks.
From High Courts of Civil Appeal
An appeal lies directly to the Supreme Court from any judgment, decree or order pronounced or entered by a High Court established by Article 154P of the Constitution in the exercise of as jurisdiction granted by Section 5A of High the High Court of the Provinces (Special Provisions) (Amendment) Act No. 54 of 2006 with leave from the Supreme Court within six weeks.
An action should be filed in accordance with the Supreme Court Rules and other Acts & Ordinance.
For Examples:
Fundamental Right – According to constitution (Article no. 126) – within one month from the date of the alleged breach of rights.
Special Determination – 21st constitutional amendment (Article 121 (1) – within fourteen days from the date a bill is tabled in Parliament.
Leave to Appeal – From High Court to Supreme Court – within 06 weeks from the date of order / judgment.
Special Leave to Appeal – From Court of Appeal to Supreme Court – within 06 weeks.
(Six weeks of the order, judgment, decree or sentence of the Court of Appeal in respect of which Special Leave to Appeal is sought)
Caveat
Caveat by Respondent of his intention to oppose an application for Special Leave to Appeal Within 14 days of the receipt of notice
From High Courts of the Provinces
An appeal lies directly to the Supreme Court from a final order, judgment, decree or sentence of a High Court in the exercise of the appellate jurisdiction vested in it by paragraph (3) (b) of Article 154P of the Constitution and Section 3 of High Courts of the Provinces (Special Provisions) Act No. 19 of 1990, with leave from the High Court or special leave from the Supreme Court within six weeks.
From High Courts of Civil Appeal
An appeal lies directly to the Supreme Court from any judgment, decree or order pronounced or entered by a High Court established by Article 154P of the Constitution in the exercise of as jurisdiction granted by Section 5A of High the High Court of the Provinces (Special Provisions) (Amendment) Act No. 54 of 2006 with leave from the Supreme Court within six weeks.
How long will a case take to be listed in open court after documents are duly filed?
Normally a direction with regard to the first date in open court is given within 2 or 3 days.
1. However the litigant / registered AAL should mentioned three expected dates in the motion which is to be filed along with the other documents for a new case.
2. Normally one of the three requested dates is given by the court.
3. Please refer to the “information for the litigants” tab in the Menu Bar on the Supreme Court Website of www.supremecourt.lk to know the direction with regard to your applications.
1. However the litigant / registered AAL should mentioned three expected dates in the motion which is to be filed along with the other documents for a new case.
2. Normally one of the three requested dates is given by the court.
3. Please refer to the “information for the litigants” tab in the Menu Bar on the Supreme Court Website of www.supremecourt.lk to know the direction with regard to your applications.
How can I get a certified copy of a judgment/ order or other documents?
This service can be obtained by submitting a motion to the Supreme Court Counter and having paid the relevant costs. Fees are charged according to the number of pages to be issued.
The soft copy of the judgments are posted on the website. Please go to view judgment of the Home page.
The soft copy of the judgments are posted on the website. Please go to view judgment of the Home page.
What is the remedy available for anyone, when there is no money to retain an Attorney – at – Law to institute an action in the Supreme Court?
You should consult the Legal Aid Commission of Sri Lanka (LAC) to explore the possibility of having the LAC to represent you.
There are litigants who have instituted actions on their own and appear themselves in open court.
There are litigants who have instituted actions on their own and appear themselves in open court.
Do I have to come to court every day when the case is called/taken up?
When you have retained an Attorney,
It is not compulsory for you to attend if court has not directed you to appear in person.
However you should consult your Attorney -at – Law for advice in this regard.
When there is no AAL representing you it is mandatory that you attend each and every day when your case is called in open court.
When you personally attend to your own case and when the case is taken up digitally you need to appear virtually using the link stated in the case list posted on the website.
It is not compulsory for you to attend if court has not directed you to appear in person.
However you should consult your Attorney -at – Law for advice in this regard.
When there is no AAL representing you it is mandatory that you attend each and every day when your case is called in open court.
When you personally attend to your own case and when the case is taken up digitally you need to appear virtually using the link stated in the case list posted on the website.
Do I have to get into the witness box?
yes. If you are called in as a witness then you need to get into the witness box.
Is it possible for me to come personally to observe the proceedings of my case?
Yes. It is possible. However your ability to go inside a court house will depend on the number of persons already in the court house. You may want to consult your AAL in this regard.
How I can know whether my case is listed or the next step or the next date?
Visit on www.supremecourt.lk –> Search your case here –> Enter case number (to know the next date and the next step (or status) of the case)
Visit on www.supremecourt.lk –> Court diary –> Select a date (to view the cases listed for selected date as per the current date)
Visit the Registry and you can use the computers made available for this purpose. Instructions are pasted near the computers.
Visit the Registry Reference Room for you to refer the case records.
(please note that above information is bound to get amended based on motions and directions. However given information is accurate as at present)
Visit on www.supremecourt.lk –> Court diary –> Select a date (to view the cases listed for selected date as per the current date)
Visit the Registry and you can use the computers made available for this purpose. Instructions are pasted near the computers.
Visit the Registry Reference Room for you to refer the case records.
(please note that above information is bound to get amended based on motions and directions. However given information is accurate as at present)
Can I appear for my own case without an attorney - at - law?
Yes. If a litigant has not already retained an AAL or the AAL who the litigant retained has revoked his / her proxy the litigant is permitted to do so.
Can an agent other than an attorney - at - law represent a litigant?
No.
Can I apply to get certified copies?
Yes. You need to submit a motion or a request letter at the counter. Then make a payment fees are charged per page.
Can I file a motion myself when there is a registered AAL for me?
No. You need to file motion through your registered AAL.
How can I peruse a journal entry?
Click on the View journals of this website.
Visit the registry to use the computers made available for this purpose
Visit the Registry Reference Room and peruse the relevant file.
Visit the registry to use the computers made available for this purpose
Visit the Registry Reference Room and peruse the relevant file.
What is the fee to institute an action?
The fee for filling New Appeal – Rs. 200/-
The fee for appeals preferred to the Supreme Court while the case is already being heard in the Commercial High Court – Rs. 2000
The fee for appeals preferred to the Supreme Court while the case is already being heard in the Commercial High Court – Rs. 2000
How can I get the documents attested by an AAL verified by the Supreme Court registry
We do not verify the documents
We verify whether the attestor is an AAL.
AAL should have either the full name or the names with all initials in the official stamps of the AAL.
The documents attested by the AAL should be submitted to the counter for the verification of the AAL.
Documents can be submitted to the counter by anyone.
You need to pay Rs. 60 per document.
We verify whether the attestor is an AAL.
AAL should have either the full name or the names with all initials in the official stamps of the AAL.
The documents attested by the AAL should be submitted to the counter for the verification of the AAL.
Documents can be submitted to the counter by anyone.
You need to pay Rs. 60 per document.
How long will it take for the verification of AAL?
Ideally it takes less than 45 minutes.
This service can be obtained from 9.a.m to 3.p.m on working days.
This service can be obtained from 9.a.m to 3.p.m on working days.
How Can I send my complaints/suggestions to the registry?
Please email to registrar@supremecourt.lk, scdreg@sltnet.lk, supremecourt@sltnet.lk or call 0112-328651 , 0112-436958