Procedures
2017 Civil Procedure Code, with mandatory mediation in many cases
The National Civil Procedure Code 2074 (2017) governs civil litigation from District Court through High Court to the Supreme Court. Court-referred mediation is compulsory for several categories of dispute.
Key rules
- Deadline — Written statement within 21 days of service under the Code
- Deadline — Appeal to the High Court within 35 days of judgment
- Deadline — Limitation periods vary by cause of action under the Civil Code
Governing law
- National Civil Procedure (Code) Act, 20742017
- Mediation Act, 20682011
- Arbitration Act, 20551999
In practice
The 2017 Code restructured pleadings, evidence and execution, and its limitation provisions now sit in the Civil Code rather than scattered statutes. Nepal is a New York Convention party, and the Arbitration Act 1999 provides for enforcement of foreign awards through the High Court, though the grounds for refusal have been read somewhat broadly. NEPCA administers domestic arbitrations. Execution of money judgments remains slow.