How to find and read a court cause list
A cause list is the list a court publishes for each sitting day, showing which matters will be called and in what order. Reading it tells you whether your case is listed, in which court and roughly when it may be reached.
How to find a cause list
District courts: on eCourts Services choose Cause List, then pick the state, district, court complex, court and date.
High Courts: use the cause list section of the High Court Services portal or the High Court website, then pick the bench, date and list type.
NCLT and other tribunals: use the cause list page on the tribunal’s own website and choose the bench and date.
Choose civil or criminal where asked, then open the list for the court room.
How to read a cause list
- Serial number: the order in which matters are placed. Lower serial numbers are usually called first.
- Case number and type: identify your matter. Compare it with your own papers.
- Stage or purpose: the purpose of the hearing, such as arguments, evidence or orders.
- Supplementary or advance lists: extra lists issued later or earlier than the main list. Check all of them.
- Not reached: items not taken up on the day are generally carried to a later date.
Official links
Frequently asked questions
What is a cause list?
It is the court’s list of cases fixed for hearing on a particular day, arranged court by court in the order they are expected to be called.
When is the cause list published?
Usually the previous working day, but timing varies by court. A supplementary list may be issued on the same day.
My case is listed but was not heard. Why?
Matters lower on the list may not be reached. The court then usually fixes a fresh date, which appears in the case status or order.
Does a cause list show a final order?
No. It only shows listing. Check the case status or orders section for what the court actually decided.
Related guides
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