Res Sub-Judice

 What is the Rule of sub judice?

The phrase Res Sub judice is Latin maxim which means the “under judgment”. The rule
of the sub judice is based on the public policy which prohibits the plaintiff to file two
parallel cases on the same subject matter and restricts the chances of having two
contradictory judgments by the two courts. The purpose of the doctrine of Res Sub
judice is to prevent a multiplicity of the proceedings and to refrain two conflicting
decisions. The doctrine bars the parallel trial of the suit where the matter is pending to
adjudicate in the former suit. But it does not restrict in filling the subsequent suit.
 How the Rule of Res Sub Judice originated?
We did not find the direct origin of the doctrine of Res Sub Judice. The roots of this rule
can be found in Roman law. Under Roman law, this doctrine was originated from the
doctrine of exception rei judicatae which means the “previous judgment”.
In the ancient history importance of this rule was also understood by both Hindu and
Muslim Jurists. Under Hindu Ancient Law Rule of the sub judice was popularly known as
the Purva Nyaya or former Judgment.
 Where we can find this rule in India?
The doctrine of Res sub judice is not directly defined in the Civil Procedure Code, 1908.
But principles of Res sub judice can be found in Section 10 of CPC. Section 10- Stay of
suit deals with the concept of Res Sub Judice.
 What is Section 10 of the Civil Procedure Code, 1908?
Provision
10. Stay of suit.— No Court shall proceed with the trial of any suit in which the matter in
issue is also directly and substantially in issue in a previously instituted suit between the
same parties, or between parties under whom they or any of them claim litigating under
the same title where such suit is pending in the same or any other Court in India have
jurisdiction to grant the relief claimed, or in any Court beyond the limits of India
established or continued by the Central Government and having like jurisdiction, or
before the Supreme Court.
Explanation. — The pendency of a suit in a foreign Court does not preclude the Courts in
India from trying a suit founded on the same cause of action
Section 10 of CPC states that no court will initiate the trial of any suit if the issues are
directly or substantially related to the previously instituted suit between the same
parties or parties litigating on behalf of them under the same title and the matter is
pending before the court having the competent jurisdiction in the territory of India or
any court beyond the limits of India established by central governments having the
same jurisdiction or before supreme court. If parallel suits come before the competent
court, section 10 gives the power to put a stay on the proceedings in another court.
Section 10 prohibits the trial of parallel litigation where the same cause of action arises
between the same parties on the same subject matter. This section is inserted in the
CPC with the purpose that the defendant should not suffer twice for the same offense.
For e.g.: There was a contract between A & B in which B need to supply raw materials to
the A. B did not supply goods to A. There was the breach of a contractual obligation by
the B. A files suits against B in the competent court. Meanwhile, the decision of this
court was pending and A filed another suit against B in another court. Competent court
by virtue of the power given in Section 10 put stay on proceedings of another court
because the subject matter of the case was same and the decision was pending.
 What is the objective behind inserting section 10?
a) To prevent parallel litigation in two different courts between the same parties on the
same subject matter.
b) To prevent wastage of the court’s resources and time
c) To avoid two contradictory Decisions on the same subject matter
d) To reduce the burden on the courts
e) To protect the rights of the other party.
f) To avoid unnecessary delay

 What are the essentials of Section 10?

a) There should be two suits
b) The suits must be between the same parties or their successors
c) The matter in the issue in the later suit must be directly and substantially the same
as in the previous suits
d) Both the suits should be pending before the court of law
e) The parties must be litigating under the same title in both the suits.
If the above essentials are fulfilled, the court can stay the proceedings under Section 10
of CPC.
 What are the conditions necessary for the application of Section 10?
a) Same Parties – For imposing stay under Section 10, the identity of the parties is
enough. Parties in two suits need not be the same. To apply Section 10 it is enough
that previously instituted suit is between parties under whom they or any of them
claim litigating under the same title.
b) Matter in the issue must be same – For the application of section 10, it is enough to
establish that substance of the matter in controversy in two suits are same. The
Identity of reliefs is not necessary for the applicability of this section [2].
c) The suit must be pending – Section 10 gives the power to put stay on proceedings
only if previously suit is pending. It is a duty and responsibility on the defendant to
make the court aware about pending of former suit. But if it is pending in foreign
court, then Section is not applied.
d) Title must be the same – To apply section 10, the parties must be litigating under the
same title under both suits.
e) The court should be competent – Section 10 of CPC is only applied when the
previous suit is pending before the competent court.

 When court cannot apply the doctrine of Res sub judice?

a) In the case of Alimmllah vs. Sheikh, the court held that the rule of sub judice is not
applied when issues in both suits are distinct and different.
b) In the case of Abdul vs. Asrafun, the court held that rule is not applied when there
are some common issues and some different.
c) When the parties are the same but there are different issues between them.
d) It is not necessary for the applicability of Section 10 that all the issues in the prior
instituted suit should also be issued in the later suit.

 Does Section 10 apply to the foreign courts?

No, Section 10 of the Civil Procedure Code do not apply to the Foreign courts. The
Pending of the suit before any foreign court does not bar Indian courts to initiate
proceedings of the case on the same cause of action.
 Difference between Res Sub Judice and Res Sub Judicata:

 What is the inherent power of the Court to put stay?

In the situations when Section 10 is not applicable, the court can put stay on the
proceedings under the power given in Section 151 of the Civil Procedure Code. Section
151 gives inherent power to the court to make such order which is necessary for
securing ends of justice and to prevent abuse of the process of the court. Section 151
gives discretionary power to secure ends of justice when there is no application of
Section 10.
 Conclusion
It is concluded that the rule of sub judice can be found in Section 10 of the CPC. Section
10 bars the two parallel litigation between the same parties on the same cause of
action. The basic reasoning behind this provision is to prevent wastage of courts
resource, protect the right of the defendant, reduce the burden on courts and avoid two
contradictory decision. This provision was inserted in CPC to meet the end of the justice
and prevent abuse of the court. There are lots of cases pending before the Indian
Judiciary system. This doctrine helps the courts to prohibit repetitive suits on the same
cause of the action. Thus Section 10 or the principle of Res Sub Judice makes our
Judiciary system more efficient.