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Judgment
Coutts Trotter, C.J.—By a rule framed by this Court in 1914 as an addition to Rule 13, Order IX of the Civil Procedure Code, the
provisions of Section 5 of the Limitation Act were made applicable to applications to set aside ex parte decrees. It is suggested that that rule is
ultra vires of the rule-making powers vested in this Court. I propose now to say very little about it, because I have already expressed my opinion
on this matter in Sennimalai Goundan v. Palani Gounden (1916) 32 I.C., 975 and nothing that I have heard in the course of an extended argument
induces me to think that that opinion was wrong. I think that the strongest ground on which the rule can be supported is this: that Section 5 of the
Limitation Act obviously contemplates its extension by means of rules. In its old form it used the word ""rule"" and the section was to be made
applicable ""by any enactment or rule."" The words have been changed as follows: instead of ""by any enactment or rule,"" the section now runs ""by or
under any enactment."" These words, though they mean the same thing, obviously express it better. In my opinion, it is perfectly clear that the High
Court had power under the combined effect of Section 5 of the Limitation Act and Section 122 of the CPC to apply the provisions of Section 5,
which after all are a relaxation of the rigour of the law in a matter eminently suitable to such an extension, to the setting aside of ex parte decrees. I
agree with my brother Waller and the answer to the question referred to us is, that the rule framed by the High Court is intra vires.
Ramesam, J.
I agree with the judgment delivered by my Lord as to the construction of the words ""by or under any enactment"" in Section 5 of the Limitation
Act. So far as Section 5 is concerned, the section itself contains an indication that it may be so extended by any other enactment or by any rule
made under any other enactment. But even assuming that the contention of the learned vakil for the appellant as to the effect of the amendment is
correct, namely, that the High Court cannot by any rule in the CPC extend Section 5 of the Limitation Act, the effect of the amendment which was
made in 1922 can be that only after 1922 the High Court cannot make such alterations or additions. It cannot be contended that an amendment of
1922 repealed the rule made in 1916. All that can be said is that no such rule can be made hereafter, but as I have said already I do not agree with
the contention of the learned vakil as to the effect of the words ""by or under any enactment.
Wallace, J.
I agree with what both my learned brothers have said, but I would like to add one or two sentences. The appearance of a similar rule in Order
XXII, Rule 9, would indicate that such a provision of limitation was deliberately placed by the legislature in the first schedule of the CPC and
therefore alterable as a matter of procedure by force of Section 122. Section 122, as I read it, gives power to annul this provision in Order XXII,
Rule 9, and therefore would, if that provision were not found in Order XXII, Rule 9, give power to insert such a provision in that Order, if
advisable. If such a power can be legally exercised in case of Order XXII, Rule 9, I cannot see any possible reason why it should not be exercised
in the case of Order IX, Rule 13.