The central government has notified constitution of a regional bench of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) at Chennai, a long pending demand of legal fraternity of southern states.

The newly constituted appellate tribunal would have jurisdiction over the states of Karnataka, TamilNadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telengana, and union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry.

The notification which comes into force from March 18 said that the bench of NCLAT at New Delhi will be known as the principal bench of the appellate tribunal.

“I welcome this move as hundreds of appeals from the NCLTs in the five states are going to Delhi where the only National Company Law Appellate Tribunal is available. Establishing a regional bench in Chennai would help reduce the time consumed in approaching Delhi and the cost involved would also come down,” senior advocate P S Raman said.

Adding that the notification is special to him since the regional bench would be constituted in Chennai, Raman said, “I hope that the Centre and the state government would get a good place for establishing the appellate tribunal with adequate infrastructure and staff. They must also make sure that the NCLAT starts functioning as soon as possible.”

“As an MP (member of parliament), I have been requesting to decongest New Delhi and de-cluster tribunals as New Delhi houses more than 43 tribunals. Only few tribunals have notified its benches in other states even though the respective act through which they’re constituted permits such regional benches,” said senior advocate and DMK MP P Wilson.

“Central government should constitute benches of tribunals where the legislation permits so that there is no need to travel to New Delhi. Such benches will serve the litigants and the lawyers and cut down the cost of litigation. Access to justice is one of fundamental rights. Our struggle to bring regional benches of Supreme Court and one at Chennai is our predominant aim,” Wilson added.

Similarly, noting that the notification is indeed a welcome move, senior advocate A R L Sundaresan litigants and the lawyers. Justice has been made accessible. It would be a boon to the companies registered in the states.”

Source : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/chennai-gets-regional-bench-of-nclat/articleshow/74630136.cms