Draft format
Vakalatnama format for Indian courts
A vakalatnama is the document by which a party authorises an advocate to appear, act and plead in a case. This is a general format, with the points registries commonly check.
Last updated 9 October 2026
When to use a vakalatnama
A vakalatnama is filed whenever an advocate enters appearance for a party in a suit, appeal, petition or application. Order III Rule 4 of the Code of Civil Procedure requires that a pleader be appointed by a document in writing signed by the party or a recognised agent and filed in court.
Many courts, including the Supreme Court and several High Courts, prescribe their own vakalatnama form in their rules. Use the prescribed form where there is one; a general format such as this suits courts and tribunals that do not prescribe a form.
Legal basis: Order III Rule 4, Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; rules of the court concerned
Vakalatnama: the format
Blanks and fields in [square brackets] are for you to complete. Adapt the wording to the facts and to the rules of the court or forum.
IN THE COURT OF [Name of the court]
AT [Place]
Case No.: [Case number]
[Name of client]
... Petitioner / Plaintiff / Applicant
VERSUS
[Name of opposite party]
... Respondent / Defendant
V A K A L A T N A M A
KNOW ALL to whom these presents shall come that I/We, [Name of client], do hereby appoint and retain [Name of advocate], Advocate, enrolled with the Bar Council, to appear, act and plead on my/our behalf in the above-noted case/proceeding before this Hon'ble Court and in any other court in which the same may be tried or heard in the first instance or in appeal or revision or review and on this authority:
1. To file, present, sign, verify and withdraw all pleadings, applications, petitions, affidavits, written statements and other documents as may be necessary;
2. To deposit, withdraw and receive money, documents and securities from the Court and from the opposite party, and to grant valid receipts and discharges therefor;
3. To engage and authorise any other Advocate(s) to appear in my/our case at his/her discretion;
4. To compromise, withdraw or refer to arbitration any of the above matters;
5. To do all such acts and things as may be deemed necessary or proper for the conduct of the said case.
I/We agree to ratify all acts done by the said Advocate by virtue of this Vakalatnama, and undertake to pay the fees and out-of-pocket expenses as agreed.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I/we have set my/our hand(s) on this [Date] at [Place].
Accepted, subject to terms of engagement.
___________________________ ___________________________
[Name of client] [Name of advocate], Advocate
(Executant) Enrolment No.: __________
Bar Council of __________What the draft must get right
- The cause title, court and case number must match the pleading it accompanies.
- The client signs as executant. For a company, firm or society, the signatory must be authorised, usually by a board resolution or authority letter, and should sign with name, designation and seal.
- The advocate signs in acceptance and gives the enrolment number and address for service.
- Affix the advocates' welfare fund stamp and any court fee stamp required in the state. Amounts vary by state.
- The authority should cover the acts actually needed, such as signing pleadings, receiving money or documents, and compromising the matter. Authority to compromise or withdraw should be express.
- A fresh vakalatnama is generally needed for an appeal or a separate proceeding unless the document clearly extends to it and the court's rules allow.
Common mistakes
- Leaving the case number or the names of parties blank or inconsistent with the petition.
- Missing welfare stamp, or the stamp of another state.
- A signatory for a company with no resolution or authorisation on record.
- The advocate's acceptance, enrolment number or address missing.
Vakalatnama: common questions
Is a vakalatnama the same as a power of attorney?
No. A vakalatnama authorises an advocate to act in a particular case before a court or tribunal. A power of attorney authorises an agent to act for the principal more generally and does not by itself give a non-advocate the right to plead.
Can one vakalatnama name more than one advocate?
Yes. A party may appoint several advocates in one vakalatnama, each of whom should sign in acceptance, subject to the rules of the court.
How does a client change advocates?
The client files a fresh vakalatnama in favour of the new advocate. Court rules usually require the consent or no-objection of the advocate on record, or the leave of the court.
Generate this on your letterhead in Settl
This format is in Settl's template library. Open a matter and the parties, court and dates are filled from the case record; you complete the facts, review, and export to PDF on your firm's letterhead.
Not legal advice. This is a general format for reference. It is not a filing-ready document and may not suit your facts or your court's rules. Verify the law, the facts and local requirements, and have a qualified advocate review the draft before it is sent or filed. Settl is not a law firm.