Delhi High Court | E-filing and court procedure
How to File a Caveat Online in Delhi High Court
A practical guide for advocates and parties in person on filing a caveat, registering for electronic filing, serving notice, and checking filing status under the applicable Delhi High Court rules.
What is a caveat? Applicable legal provisions
A caveat is a notice lodged by a person (the caveator) who claims the right to be heard when another party makes, or is expected to make, an application in a suit or proceeding. For civil proceedings covered by Section 148A of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, the provision establishes the following rights and obligations:
| Provision | Meaning and practical effect |
|---|---|
| Section 148A(1) | A person claiming a right to appear at the hearing of an anticipated or pending application may lodge a caveat. |
| Section 148A(2) | The caveator must serve notice of the caveat on the person who has made or is expected to make the application, by the statutory prescribed mode. |
| Section 148A(3) | When an application is filed after a caveat is lodged, the court is required to serve notice of that application on the caveator. |
| Section 148A(4) | After service of the caveat notice, the applicant must furnish copies of the application and supporting documents to the caveator at the caveator's expense. |
| Section 148A(5) | The caveat ordinarily ceases to remain in force after 90 days unless the relevant application is made before expiry. |
| Delhi High Court (Original Side) Rules, 2018, Chapter XXX | Provides the caveat format and related requirements in original-side civil matters to which Section 148A applies. |
See the Delhi High Court Original Side Rules and the Delhi High Court official e-filing rules and guidance. The Code of Civil Procedure remains relevant to civil caveats even though the separate CPC menu item has been removed from the site navigation.
1. User registration: Advocate or party in person
Open the Delhi High Court Online Services page and select the official Delhi High Court e-Filing Portal. Use the current portal's registration and login options; screen labels can change following portal updates.
Registration by an advocate
- Select the registration option for advocates if you do not already have a valid account.
- Enter the requested professional details, contact information and Bar Council enrolment particulars.
- Upload Bar Council identification or other documents where the portal requests them.
- Complete OTP, captcha or other verification and submit registration.
- Follow account-activation instructions; use the approved login to access caveat filing.
Registration by a party in person
- Choose the litigant or party-in-person registration route, where available.
- Enter name, address, mobile number and email address accurately.
- Upload identity proof and other verification documents required by the portal.
- Complete validation and submit the application for registration.
- After activation, sign in and follow the relevant caveat filing workflow. Registry scrutiny and party-in-person requirements still apply.
Older links retained for historical reference: previous Delhi High Court e-filing information page and legacy registration address. These may redirect or no longer function; use the current official portal above.
2. How to file a caveat online in Delhi High Court
- Check the correct court and jurisdiction. Confirm that the proposed civil appeal, application or other proceeding would be presented in Delhi High Court and that caveat filing is permitted.
- Sign in to the Delhi High Court e-filing portal using the registered advocate or party-in-person account.
- Choose caveat filing from the available case-filing or caveat module.
- Identify the anticipated matter. Select the case category and enter the parties' names, relevant trial court or tribunal, case number, impugned order details and other available identifiers.
- Enter caveator details and contact information, along with advocate details where applicable.
- Upload the caveat in the portal-prescribed PDF format, together with supporting papers and proof of service as required.
- Pay the prescribed filing fee through the enabled payment option, if applicable. Check the current fee schedule instead of relying on old screenshots or fixed amounts.
- Confirm declarations and submit. Review all information before final submission and save the filing acknowledgment or diary number.
- Track scrutiny. Respond promptly to registry objections and retain the final registration details.
In the earlier portal workflow, users selected Caveat Filing, supplied case type, party and court details, entered fee information, attached a PDF, accepted the declaration and selected Save. Those historical steps are retained here in substance, but current screen names and validation requirements may differ.
3. Information and documents to prepare
- Full name, postal address, phone number and email address of the caveator.
- Name and address of the expected petitioner, appellant or applicant.
- Details of the lower court, trial court or Central Administrative Tribunal order, where relevant.
- Case title, case number, date of order and anticipated proceedings, if known.
- A properly drafted caveat stating the relief or order apprehended and requesting notice before it is made.
- Advocate authorisation or vakalatnama where required; party-in-person identification where applicable.
- Proof of service of caveat notice on the expected applicant, and fee receipt or other papers required by current filing directions.
4. Notice, validity and caveat status
Service of notice: Filing a caveat online does not dispense with the caveator's obligation under Section 148A(2) CPC to serve the expected applicant. Preserve dispatch and delivery evidence. Follow the statutory requirement and any court-approved additional service mode.
90-day period: A caveat ordinarily has a 90-day statutory life under Section 148A(5), subject to the provision's exception where the relevant application is filed within that period. If no application is made within that period and protection is still needed, consider lodging a fresh caveat with proper service.
Tracking: Use the e-filing dashboard, diary number and the eCourts High Court Services where available. A filing acknowledgment alone should not be mistaken for final acceptance by the Registry.
Jurisdiction warning: A caveat in Delhi High Court is not a substitute for lodging a caveat in a District Court or another forum. A caveat may be unavailable in proceedings governed by special statutes or criminal procedure; obtain matter-specific advice.
5. Official links and court resources
- Delhi High Court official website
- Delhi High Court Online Services
- Delhi High Court online e-filing portal
- E-filing rules, FAQs, tutorials and helpline
- Delhi District Courts e-filing
Frequently asked questions
What is a caveat in the Delhi High Court?
A caveat is a formal request by a person claiming a right to be heard before an anticipated application is decided. In proceedings governed by Section 148A of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, the caveator must comply with the notice and service requirements.
How long does a caveat remain effective?
Under Section 148A(5) CPC, a caveat ordinarily remains in force for 90 days from lodging unless the relevant application is made within that period.
Can a party in person file a caveat online?
Yes, subject to registration, identity verification, applicable court rules and the e-filing portal workflow.
Can a caveat stop an appeal or petition?
No. A caveat seeks notice and an opportunity to be heard; it does not itself prevent filing or guarantee that relief will be refused.
Is a caveat under Section 148A CPC available for every criminal or tribunal proceeding?
No. Applicability depends on the nature of proceedings and the governing statute or court rules. Do not assume that a civil caveat automatically applies to criminal or tribunal proceedings.
Updated: 2 November 2026. This article provides general procedural information. Always verify current filing rules, fees, portal instructions and jurisdiction before filing.