{"id":382759,"date":"2026-04-29T17:30:13","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T12:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?p=382759"},"modified":"2026-04-29T17:18:52","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T11:48:52","slug":"nclt-streamlines-hearings-through-single-benches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/04\/29\/nclt-streamlines-hearings-through-single-benches\/","title":{"rendered":"NCLT Targets Case Backlog with Single-Judge Benches—What Changes Now"},"content":{"rendered":"
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On 27 April 2026, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT)<\/span> issued an order authorising Single Judicial Member Benches<\/span> to hear and dispose of specified classes of matters under the Companies Act, 2013<\/a> and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016<\/a> (IBC).<\/span><\/p>\n

The order came into force with immediate effect and applies to all NCLT benches<\/span> across the country unless otherwise directed.<\/p>\n

Key Points:<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. \n

    The order has been issued in exercise of powers conferred under the proviso to Section 419(3)<\/a> of the Companies Act, 2013<\/a><\/span>, with the objective of ensuring timely disposal of cases, reducing pendency, and improving overall case management across NCLT benches.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    Ordinarily, Section 419(3)<\/a> mandates that the Tribunal’s powers be exercised by a two-member bench comprising a Judicial Member and a Technical Member.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  3. \n

    However, the proviso<\/span> empowers the President of the Tribunal<\/span> to constitute Single Judicial Member Benches<\/span> and to specify, by general or special order, the class of cases that may be heard by such benches.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  4. \n

    Invoking this statutory flexibility, the NCLT has now classified certain procedural, urgent, and uncontested matters as suitable for adjudication by a Single Judicial Member<\/span>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  5. \n

    The order recognises that several matters coming before the NCLT are procedural, uncontested, or urgent<\/span> in nature and do not require the attention of a full Division Bench. By reallocating such matters to Single Judicial Member Benches, the Tribunal aims to:<\/p>\n