#ex parte judgment

The Delhi HC held that vague counsel negligence claims do not amount to 'sufficient cause' under Order IX Rule 13 CPC to set aside an ex-parte judgment, stressing that litigants must stay vigilant and act promptly or lose chance to challenge judgment.

The Supreme Court ruled that ex parte judgments under CPC Order XX Rule 4 must explicitly state points for determination, failing which the decree is vitiated. The trial court’s dismissal of a specific performance suit on unpleaded title grounds-without framing issues-was held procedurally flawed, reinforcing judicial discipline even in uncontested proceedings.