No Party Should Suffer Due To The Act Of Court: SC
📜 Issue Overview
The principle that no party should suffer due to the act or omission of the court underscores the judiciary’s obligation to ensure fairness, justice, and the protection of parties' rights during litigation.
When errors, delays, or procedural lapses occur on the part of the court, the affected party should not be unduly prejudiced or penalized for such judicial lapses. The courts have emphasized the need to uphold the integrity of the judicial process and protect litigants from suffering due to judicial errors.
⚖️ Legal Principles
1. Doctrine of Fairness and Justice
The court must ensure justice is done and seen to be done.
No litigant should be disadvantaged or prejudiced due to mistakes made by the court.
2. Correction of Judicial Errors
Courts have inherent powers to rectify their errors.
Orders passed due to clerical mistakes, miscommunications, or procedural lapses can be corrected to avoid injustice.
3. Protecting Parties’ Rights
Courts must take all reasonable steps to ensure that litigants’ rights are preserved.
Delay or error caused by the court should not translate into loss of rights for any party.
🧑⚖️ Relevant Case Law
1. Union of India v. Vasavi Cooperative Housing Society Ltd., (2017) 9 SCC 761
The Supreme Court held that no party should suffer for the error or mistake committed by the court.
The Court emphasized that courts have a duty to correct their mistakes and not let litigants bear the brunt.
2. K.K. Verma v. Union of India, AIR 1974 SC 2281
Held that if a party suffers due to procedural errors by the court, it must be compensated or given relief.
3. M.C. Chockalingam v. V.K. Lakshmanan, AIR 1976 Mad 52
The court stressed that the judicial process should not itself become a cause of injustice.
4. Radheshyam Sharma v. D.P. Kapoor, AIR 1952 SC 218
The Supreme Court underscored the responsibility of the courts to ensure that judicial errors do not cause prejudice to parties.
📌 Practical Implications
Courts actively correct erroneous orders or procedural lapses suo motu or on application.
If a party suffers due to court’s delay or mistake, relief can be granted in the form of review, rectification, or reopening of proceedings.
This principle reinforces public confidence in the fairness and integrity of the judicial system.
📝 Summary
The principle that no party should suffer due to the act of the court reflects the judiciary's commitment to fairness and justice.
Courts have the power and duty to correct their errors and ensure litigants do not face prejudice because of judicial lapses.
Supreme Court precedents affirm that procedural or judicial mistakes should not lead to injustice.
This doctrine strengthens the trust in the judicial process and protects parties’ legal rights.
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