Suits against Corporations1

1. In suits against a corporation ( Companies : Private or public ), the summons are to be served either on the secretary, or any of the directors or principal officer of the corporation or may be sent by registered post or personally served at the registered office of the corporation. 2. If the corporation does not have any registered office then the service shall be made at any place where the corporation carries on it's business. 3. Any documents concerned with the suit ( by or against the corporation ) can be signed/verified by the following persons on behalf of the corporation: i. The Secretary ii. Any of it's Director iii. Any Principal officer The court is empowered to direct personal appearance of any of the above named officer at any stage of the suit, to answer questions relating to the suit. Civil Procedure Code 1908 under order XXIX , Suits by or against corporations are discussed in detail2.
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http://www.helplinelaw.com/docs/main.php3?id=SUIT4 1. Subscription and verification of pleading In suits by or against a corporation, any pleading may be signed and verified on behalf of the corporation by the security or by any director or other principal officer of the corporation who is able to depose to the facts of the case. HIGH COURT AMENDMENTS Andhra Pradesh.-Same as in Madras. Kerala.-In Order XXIX, after rule 1, insert rule 1A which is same as in Madras with the addition of the following as marginal note:"Time to be fixed in the summons for appearance in suits against local authority". Madras.-In Order XXIX, after rule 1, insert the following rule, namely:"1A. In suits against a local authority the Court in fixing the day for the defendant to appear and answer shall allow not less than two months time between the date of summons and the date for appearance." 2. Service on corporation Subject to any statutory provision regulating service of process, where the suit is against a corporation, the summons may be served(a) on the secretary, or on any director, or other principal officer of the corporation, or (b) by leaving it or sending it by post addressed to the corporation at the registered office, or if there is no registered office then at the place where the corporation carries on business. STATE AMENDMENT Uttar Pradesh.-In Order XXIX, in rule 2, after clause (a), insert the following clause, namely;"(aa) on its corporation pleader in the district where the Court issuing summons is located, if one has been appointed and the appointment has been notified to the District Judge under rule 10 of order XXVII, or". HIGH COURT AMENDMENT Karnataka.-In Order XXIX, after rule 2, insert the following rule, namely;"2A. Where the suit is against a local authority the Court in fixing the day for such authority to answer the plaint shall allow a reasonable time for the necessary communication with any department of the Government and for the issue of the necessary instruction to the pleader of the authority, and may extend the time at its discretion." 3. Power to require personal attendance of officer of corporation.