Memo of Appearance
A Memo of Appearance, also called a Notice of Appearance, is a formal intimation filed by an advocate to notify the court and the opposite party that they represent a specific party in a proceeding. It serves to place the advocate on record for the purpose of receiving notices and conducting the case.
This document is filed in the Supreme Court of India, High Courts, and civil courts. It is governed by Order III of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, and in the Supreme Court, by Order IV Rule 19 of the Supreme Court Rules, 2013.
- Governing law
- Order III CPC; SCR 2013 Order IV Rule 19 (entry of appearance in Supreme Court)
- Filed before
- Supreme Court of India / High Court (any seat) / Sessions Court / Civil Court
When this is the right filing
- When an advocate needs to be on record urgently but the Vakalatnama is not yet executed or available.
- As a standalone entry of appearance at the court registry, particularly in High Court or Supreme Court matters.
- To ensure the advocate receives all future notices and orders from the court on behalf of the client.
- Do not use this document when you need to formally authorize an advocate to act on behalf of a party; that requires a Vakalatnama.
What the court looks for
- Clear identification of the party being represented and their role in the proceeding.
- The name and designation of the advocate entering appearance.
- A verification clause confirming the truth of the contents, signed by the advocate.
- Compliance with the procedural requirement to notify the registry and opposite parties of the representation.
The structure the court expects
The components of the filed format, in the order they appear. LexPilot fills every one of them from your facts and papers.
- 1Memo of appearance
- 2Verification
I, the undersigned, hereby verify that I have been duly authorised to appear on behalf of the above-named [party represented] in the above matter and that the above statements are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Bracketed items are filled from your case.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a Memo of Appearance and a Vakalatnama?
A Vakalatnama is a document that authorizes an advocate to act and plead on behalf of a client. A Memo of Appearance is a mere notification to the court that an advocate is representing a party, often used for urgent entry of appearance when the Vakalatnama is not yet ready.
Can a Memo of Appearance be filed without a Vakalatnama?
Yes, a Memo of Appearance is specifically used in situations where an advocate needs to be placed on record immediately, and the formal Vakalatnama will be filed subsequently. It is a standalone notification of representation.
Is a Memo of Appearance required in all courts?
The practice is most common in the Supreme Court and High Courts. In civil courts, an advocate's appearance is typically recorded through the Vakalatnama itself, but a memo may be filed for urgent entry of appearance.
Free trial · Drafting assistance, not legal advice — always verify before filing.
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