Docketing
What Is Docketing in Court?
Definition:
Docketing is the official registration of a legal case in a court system, whereby the case is:
• Entered into the court’s record,
• Given a unique case number, and
• Scheduled for its first or next hearing.
It marks the point at which a case becomes active in the judicial process.
Purpose of Docketing
Docketing plays a vital role in:
• Recording and tracking each case systematically.
• Ensuring no case is misplaced or ignored.
• Managing the case workflow (filing, hearing, judgment, etc.).
• Creating a public and judicial record of ongoing and past cases.
How Docketing Works: Step-by-Step Process
Let’s go through each step of how a case gets docketed, especially in Indian courts.
1. Filing of the Case
• A party (plaintiff or petitioner) files a plaint, petition, or appeal.
• This is done physically at the filing counter or through e-filing portals.
• Common types of filings:
o Civil plaint
o Criminal complaint or FIR report
o Writ petition
o Special Leave Petition (SLP)
2. Scrutiny of Documents
• The court registry staff checks whether all formal requirements are met:
o Proper court fee paid
o Signatures present
o Affidavit attached
o Jurisdiction is correct
• If objections exist, the party is notified to cure the defects.
3. Docketing / Case Registration
• Once scrutiny is complete, the case is docketed, which includes:
o Assigning a unique case number (e.g., CS No. 15/2025)
o Entering details in court's docket register
o Creating a case file (physical or electronic)
The case number becomes its identity throughout its life cycle.
4. Court Assignment and Listing
• The docketed case is now listed for:
o First hearing (date scheduled)
o Assignment to a judge or bench
o Appearance of both parties
• The case appears in the daily cause list.
Docketing System in Different Courts
A. District and Sessions Courts
• Manual or CIS (Case Information System) based docketing.
• Maintained by court clerks or judicial assistants.
• Cause list generated daily.
B. High Courts
• Computerized docketing through High Court e-filing systems.
• Example: "W.P. No. 2043/2025" (Writ Petition).
• Maintains docket sheets with hearing history, judges, status.
C. Supreme Court of India
• Maintains an advanced e-filing portal.
• Docketing includes SLPs, Writs, Appeals (e.g., SLP (C) 2321/2025).
• Cause list, orders, judgments available online.
What Is a Docket Sheet?
A docket sheet is the official log or diary of a case. It includes:
• Dates of hearings
• Appearances by parties
• Interim orders
• Filings and applications
• Adjournments
• Final judgment
Example:
Date: 10/04/2025 — Summons issued
Date: 15/05/2025 — Defendant appeared
Date: 30/06/2025 — Evidence taken
Date: 15/07/2025 — Arguments heard
Date: 25/07/2025 — Judgment reserved
Date: 05/08/2025 — Judgment pronounced
