NCLAT Issues New SOP for Urgent Listings, Adjournments and Extensions; 3 PM Prior-Day Deadline Applies

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal has introduced a new Standard Operating Procedure for procedural requests before its Principal Bench in New Delhi, setting a uniform route for urgent listing, adjournment, extension-of-time and other applications in pending matters. The SOP, issued on September 10, 2026 under F. No. 10/37/2018-NCLAT, takes effect immediately and will remain in force until further orders.

For insolvency professionals, company-law practitioners, advocates and in-house legal teams, the immediate operational change is that these requests are now expected to be made only in the prescribed forms and through a designated email channel. The Tribunal has also imposed a general cut-off of 3:00 PM on the working day preceding the date on which the request is intended to be considered.

Four prescribed forms now govern common procedural requests

The SOP identifies four formats for different types of requests before the Principal Bench:

- Form A is for permission to file an application in a pending matter.

- Form B is for urgent mentioning or urgent listing.

- Form C is for adjournment requests.

- Form D is for extension of time, including time sought for filing a reply, rejoinder, process fee, additional documents or similar compliance.

NCLAT has stated that requests must be made in the prescribed format. An incomplete request or one not made in the prescribed form will ordinarily not be processed and may be summarily rejected. This makes the filing format itself a procedural control rather than a mere administrative preference.

Submission is by designated email, with a specific subject line

The SOP directs applicants to send these requests only to principalbench.mentioning@nclat.gov.in. The email subject should identify the case or e-filing number, the nature of the request and, where applicable, the date on which the matter is listed.

The timing rule is equally important. A request should reach the designated email address by 3:00 PM on the previous working day. A request received after the cut-off will ordinarily be taken up on the next working day unless the concerned Bench directs otherwise. Practitioners therefore need to build this cut-off into internal case-management calendars rather than treating an urgent request as something that can routinely be sent late in the evening before a hearing.

Urgent listing requests must explain the urgency, not merely assert it

For an urgent mentioning or listing request, the prescribed material is designed to give the Bench a concise procedural picture. The applicant is expected to state the details of the order of the adjudicating authority, the nature of the urgency, the precise relief sought, the stage of the matter, the status of notice and whether the other parties have been informed. Counsel details are also required.

The SOP makes clear that filing an urgent request does not create an entitlement to urgent listing. The concerned Bench retains discretion on whether the matter should be taken up. The practical implication is that Form B should identify the concrete reason for urgency and the procedural status accurately, instead of relying on general statements that a matter is urgent.

Adjournment requests require service and fuller disclosure

Form C requires the party seeking adjournment to disclose the reasons for the request, any earlier adjournments, the existence of an interim order and the next date of hearing. The request should be served on all appearing parties and proof of service should accompany it.

The SOP also asks the applicant, where practicable, to seek a no-objection from the other side. If another party has refused consent, that fact should be stated. At the same time, the absence of a no-objection does not by itself prevent the Registry from placing the request before the Bench. The decision remains judicial, but the request is expected to carry a transparent record of service and the parties' position.

Extension requests must quantify the delay and the time sought

For extension of time, the applicant should identify the order that required the filing or compliance, state the period of delay, explain the reasons and specify the extension sought. This is relevant for common filings such as replies, rejoinders, process fees and additional documents.

The Registry will scrutinise requests for the prescribed format, necessary particulars, supporting documents, proof of service and overall completeness before a complete application is placed before the concerned Bench. Importantly, sending an email does not mean that the request has been allowed. Orders or directions of the Bench will govern the outcome, and communication may be made through email.

What professionals should change immediately

Firms handling NCLAT Principal Bench matters should update internal SOPs, hearing checklists and escalation workflows now. Teams should keep the four prescribed forms available, ensure that service evidence is collected before an adjournment request is sent, and route urgent-listing facts through a short internal verification before submission. The 3:00 PM prior-working-day cut-off should also be treated as a hard operating deadline except where the Bench itself directs otherwise.

NCLAT has expressly preserved the Bench's discretion and warned that false statements or suppression of material facts may invite appropriate orders. The new procedure therefore combines administrative standardisation with a clear expectation of complete and accurate disclosure.

Practical takeaway: From September 10, procedural requests before the NCLAT Principal Bench in New Delhi should be made through the new prescribed forms, sent to the designated mentioning email and, as a general rule, filed by 3:00 PM on the previous working day. Filing alone does not secure the requested relief; the concerned Bench retains full discretion.

Official source: View the official source document

Key takeaway

NCLAT’s Principal Bench has introduced prescribed forms and a 3 PM previous-working-day cut-off for urgent listing, adjournment, extension and related requests, with submissions routed through a designated email address.