Awesome judgment from Hon’ble Apex Court on when can a party be set ex parte.
Morgan Stanley Mutual Fund Vs Kartick Das on 20 May, 1994As principle, ex parte injunction could be granted only under exceptional circumstances. The factors which should weigh with the court in the grant of ex parte injunction are –
(a) Whether irreparable or serious mischief will ensue to the plaintiff;
(b) whether the refusal of ex parte injunction would involve greater injustice than the grant of it would involve;
(c) the court will also consider the time at which the plaintiff first had notice of the act complained so that the making of the improper order against a party in his absence is prevented;
(d) the court will consider whether the plaintiff has acquiesced for sometime. In such circumstances it will not grant ex parte injunction;
(e) the court would expect a party applying for ex parte injunction to show utmost good faith in making the application;
(f) even if granted, the ex parte injunction would be for a limited period of time;
(g) general principles like, prima facie case, balance of convenience and irreparable loss would also be considered by the court.