A CNR (Case Number Record) is a 16-character identifier used to search for a matter in the relevant eCourts service when a CNR is available.
The eCourts district and taluka service asks for a 16-character alphanumeric CNR without spaces or hyphens. Copy it exactly from the official case record and check that the returned court and matter are correct. If the CNR is unknown or unavailable, use the alternative search fields offered by the relevant official court service. Do not infer a CNR from a case number or assume the same lookup path applies to every court.
A cause list is the official schedule of court cases to be heard before a particular court or judge on a given day.
The cause list is published by the court and shows each listed matter's case number, the court or bench it will be heard before, and its item or serial number for the day. It is the authoritative source for whether a matter is listed and in what order. Near a hearing date, advocates should check the official cause list — not just the case status "next date" — to confirm that the matter is actually listed. Cause lists can be revised or supplemented, so check as close to the hearing day as possible.
The next date is the future hearing date currently recorded for a case in the court's system — the date fixed for the matter's next appearance before the court.
The next date shown in case status (on eCourts or a court's own portal) reflects what the system recorded after the last hearing. It can change through a court order, an adjournment granted on the day, or a bench rearrangement. Treat it as a reading taken at a specific time, not a permanent fact. Always recheck the cause list near the hearing date — the next date and the cause-list listing answer different questions and should both be verified.
A case marked "disposed" (or "disposed of") means the court has concluded the matter at that forum — by judgment, order, settlement, withdrawal, or other final resolution.
A disposed status does not automatically mean the litigation is over. The matter may have been disposed at the trial court but an appeal may be pending or possible at a higher court. Always read the disposal nature and the final order to understand what happened and whether further proceedings remain. In eCourts case history, "disposal nature" and the final order date accompany the disposed status.
In High Court proceedings, "admitted" means the court has found the case or petition prima facie worthy of hearing and has agreed to hear it on merits.
Admission is not a final decision on the merits of the case. It means the court has decided the matter raises a question serious enough to warrant a full hearing. In writ petitions, an admitted case will typically have notices issued to the respondents. The case continues to be listed for further hearings after admission.
"Reserved for orders" means the court has heard arguments from both sides and is considering the matter before delivering its decision — no further arguments will be heard.
When a matter is reserved for orders, the bench has closed arguments and will pronounce its order or judgment on a later date. The pronouncement date is usually announced separately or listed in the cause list. Parties and their advocates should monitor when the order is likely to be pronounced and check the cause list on the pronouncement date.
Part-heard means arguments on the matter have begun but have not been completed — the case will continue from where it was left when it is next listed.
Part-heard matters are typically given priority in scheduling because the same bench that heard initial arguments should ideally continue. The matter is listed on the next date with the expectation that arguments will resume and, if completed, the case will be reserved for orders or decided.
An interlocutory application (IA) is an application made during the pendency of a main case, seeking interim relief or a direction before the final disposal of the suit or petition.
Common IAs include applications for temporary injunction (Order 39 CPC), stay of proceedings, amendment of pleadings (Order VI Rule 17), and directions regarding evidence. An IA is numbered separately from the main case — for example, IA No. 1 of 2026 in CS(OS) 100 of 2024. IA hearings may be listed separately from the main case. LawLedger's drafting formats include several IA types under Stay & Injunction and other categories.
A caveat is a formal notice lodged by a party (the caveator) asking the court not to pass any order in a matter without first hearing the caveator.
Under Section 148A of the Code of Civil Procedure, any person who expects a suit or proceeding to be filed against them, or who expects to be affected by an order in a pending matter, may lodge a caveat. A properly lodged caveat means the court must issue notice to the caveator before granting any ex-parte interim order. A caveat remains effective for 90 days from the date of lodging.
A stay order is a court order suspending the operation or enforcement of another order, judgment, or proceeding, usually until a matter is finally decided.
Stay orders are commonly sought to prevent enforcement of a trial court decree while an appeal is pending, or to stop action on a government order while a writ petition is heard. The court granting a stay considers whether the applicant has a prima facie case, whether the balance of convenience favours a stay, and whether irreparable harm would result without it. A stay is interim relief — it lasts only until the main matter is decided or the stay is vacated.
Ex parte means "on one side only" — an order or proceeding where only one party was present or heard, without the other party participating.
An ex parte order is passed when the opposite party has not appeared despite service of notice, or when the matter is too urgent to wait for notice. The party affected by an ex parte order typically has the right to apply for it to be set aside (restoration). Courts exercise caution with ex parte orders, particularly interim ones, to avoid prejudice to absent parties.
A vakalatnama is a document signed by a client authorising a specific advocate to appear and act on their behalf in court proceedings.
Without a vakalatnama (or a memo of appearance for certain courts), an advocate has no formal authority to represent the client in that matter. The vakalatnama specifies the matter or court and the scope of authority. It is a mandatory document for filing most applications and suits. Some courts accept a Power of Attorney in its place for specific types of matters.
A bench refers to the composition of judges hearing a matter. A Single Bench is one judge; a Division Bench is two judges; a Full Bench is three or more judges.
The composition of the bench matters for precedent — a larger bench's decision binds smaller benches. Matters of constitutional importance or questions where Division Bench decisions conflict are typically referred to larger benches. At the High Court, the roster (which judge hears which type of matter) determines which bench a fresh case is assigned to. The cause list typically shows the bench number or judge's name alongside each matter.
The serial number (SR No.) in a cause list is the position of a matter in the day's list before a particular court — it indicates when the case is likely to be called.
A serial number is an item reference in a court list, not a guaranteed calling time. Check the current official list and any court directions for the matter. LawLedger’s working diary does not establish that a case is listed.
A CNR, case number and filing number identify a matter in different court workflows. Use the identifier and search fields shown on the relevant official court record.
A CNR is a 16-character identifier used by eCourts where available. A case or registration number is assigned by the court after registration; a filing number may be used earlier in the filing process. Court labels and search options vary, so include the court, case type and year where the official service asks for them. Check the returned matter before saving it in LawLedger.
