Chapter III SUITS COGNIZABLE BY COURT OF SMALL CAUSES

(1) A Court of Small Causes shall take cognizance of money-suits arising out of a contract other than a contract of marriage where the value of the suit does not exceed one thousand rupees.

But the Government may, at the instance of the High Court, empower such Court to try suits the value of which is upto Rs. 10,000:

Provided that a Court of Small Causes shall not take cognizance of any suit in which any immovable property or a right therein is affected by a decree.

(2) No suit against the Government shall be cognizable by a Court of Small Causes.

(1) Notwithstanding anything herein contained, when the right of plaintiff and the relief claimed by him in a Court of Small Causes depend upon the proof or disproof of a title to immovable property or any other title which such Court cannot finally determine, the Court may at any stage of the case return the plaint to be presented for the purpose to a Court having jurisdiction to determine the title.

(2) When a Court returns a plaint under sub-section (1), it shall comply with the provisions of sub-rule (2) of Rule 10 of Order 7 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 and make such order with respect to costs, as it thinks just and for the purposes of the Indian Limitation Act, 1908 it shall be deemed that the Court was not competent to entertain the suit by reason of a defect of jurisdiction.

Save as expressly provided by this Act or by any other law for the time being in force, suits cognizable by a Court of Small Causes shall not, in places where a Court of Small Causes has been established, be tried by any other Court.