Glossary of Common Legal Terms (D)

Dasti Notice

Dasti is a persian word, which means ‘by hand’. Dast Notice means service of the notice by the Petitioner on the Respondent(s) in person, and not by the Registry through post. This requires a specific order by the court. It is a procedural device that assists the petitioner in minimizing delay

Decree

The formal expression of an adjudication which, so far as regards the Court expressing it, conclusively determines the rights of the parties with regard to all or any of the matters in controversy in the suit and may be either preliminary or final.

Decree –holder

A person in whose favour a decree has been passed or an order capable of execution has been made.

Division Bench

See bench.

Docket

A note containing instructions to an advocate or senior advocate who may draft or settle, argue pleadings, or the case. It gives the cause title, the court before which it is listed and the party on whose behalf the advocate is to act. The bill for the fees of the advocate is generally drawn up on the basis of the docket.

Dominus Litis

The actual litigant directly interested in the case and its outcome.