In the First Schedule, in Order XXXVII,-



(i)in the heading, the words "ON NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENTS" shall be omitted;



(ii)for rule 1, the following rule shall be substituted, namely:-



"1.Courts and classes of suits to which the Order is to apply.- (1) This Order shall apply to the following Courts, namely:-



(a) High Courts, City Civil Courts and Courts of Small Causes; and



(b) other Courts:



Provided that in respect of the Courts referred to in clause (b), the High Court may, by notification in the Official Gazette, restrict the operation of this Order only to such categories of suits as it deems proper, and may also, from time to time, as the circumstances of the case may require, by subsequent notification in the Official Gazette, further restrict, enlarge or vary, the categories of suits to be brought under the operation of this Order as it deems proper.



(2) Subject to the provisions of sub-rule, the Order applies to the following classes of suits, namely:-



(a) suits upon bills of exchange, hundies and promissory notes;



(b) suits in which the plaintiff seeks only to recover a debt or liquidated demand in money payable by the defendant, with or without interest, arising,-



(i) on a written contract; or



(ii) on an enactment, where the sum sought to be recovered is a fixed sum of money or in the nature of a debt other than a penalty; or



(iii) on a guarantee, where the claim against the principal is in respect of a debt or liquidated demand only.";



(iii)for rule 2, the following rule shall be substituted, namely:-



'2.Institution of summary suits.- (1) A suit, to which this Order applies, may if the plaintiff desires to proceed hereunder, be instituted by presenting a plaint which shall contain,-



(a) a specific averment to the effect that the suit is filed under this Order;



(b) that no relief, which does not fall within the ambit of this rule, has been claimed in the plaint; and



(c) the following inscription, immediately below the number of the suit in the title of the suit, namely:-



"(Under Order XXXVII of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908).".



(2)The summons of the suit shall be in Form No.4 in Appendix B or in such other Form as may, from time to time, be prescribed.



(3)The defendant shall not defend the suit referred to in sub-rule (1) unless he enters an appearance and in default of his entering an appearance the allegations in the plaint shall be deemed to be admitted and the plaintiff shall be entitled to a decree for any sum, not exceeding the sum mentioned in the summons, together with interest at the rate specified, if any, up to the date of the decree and such sum for costs as may be determined by the High Court from time to time by rules made in that behalf and such decree may be executed forthwith.';



(iv)for rule 3, the following rule shall be substituted, namely:-



"3.Procedure for the appearance of defendant.- (1) In a suit to which this Order applies, the plaintiff shall, together with the summons under rule 2, serve on the defendant a copy of the plaint and annexures thereto and the defendant may, at any time within ten days of such service, enter an appearance either in person or by pleader and, in either case, he shall file in Court an address for service of notices on him.



(2)Unless otherwise ordered, all summonses, notices and other judicial processes, required to be served on the defendant, shall be deemed to have been duly served on him if they are left at the address given by him for such service.



(3)On the day of entering the appearance, notice of such appearance shall be given by the defendant to the plaintiff's pleader, or, if the plaintiff sues in person, to the plaintiff himself, either by notice delivered at or sent by a pre-paid letter directed to the address of the plaintiff's pleader or of the plaintiff, as the case may be.



(4)If the defendant enters an appearance, the plaintiff shall thereafter serve on the defendant a summons for judgment in Form No.4A in Appendix B or such other Form as may be prescribed from time to time, returnable not less than ten days from the date of service supported by an affidavit verifying the cause of action and the amount claimed and stating that in his belief there is no defence to the suit.