Rule 14 - Power to exempt

Power to exempt under NCLAT rules permits procedural exemptions and directions to secure substantial justice when sufficient cause is shown

Rule 14 of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal Rules 2016 vests the Appellate Tribunal with power to exempt parties from compliance with any requirement of the rules upon sufficient cause being shown, and to issue directions in matters of practice and procedure to render substantial justice. The legal effect is to confer discretionary procedural relief enabling the tribunal to relax formal requirements and to shape process through directions where necessary to secure substantive fairness; entitlement depends on demonstration of sufficient cause and the tribunals assessment of what is just and expedient in the application before it.