NCLT Allows Single-Member Benches to Hear Certain Matters to Reduce Backlog

In a move aimed at reducing pendency and speeding up case disposal, the Acting President of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Justice Bachu Venkat Balaram, has authorised single-member benches comprising judicial members to hear specific categories of matters.

The decision was taken under Section 419(3) of the Companies Act, 2013.

These benches will primarily handle procedural, uncontested and urgent matters, including condonation of delay applications, extension of insolvency timelines, substitution of parties and routine procedural directions.

However, contested matters affecting substantive rights must still be heard by Division Benches. Parties also retain the right to request hearing before a two-member bench.