Public Demands Recovery — Act, 1913
Public Demands Recovery law firm in Bangladesh
Clear, practical guidance on certificate procedures, appeals, and revision pathways under the Public Demands Recovery Act. This page summarises statutory timelines and administrative stages to help parties and advisers plan next steps.Overview
The Public Demands Recovery Act, 1913 establishes a summary administrative route for recovering certain public dues. Designated officials may issue recovery certificates that carry the effect of civil decrees for enforcement. The summary below highlights procedural features and commonly observed administrative stages; it is not legal advice specific to any case.
Applicability & Limitations
Limitation Act
Proceedings under this Act are generally outside the scope of the Limitation Act, 1908, except where a statute or rule specifically provides otherwise. Certificates issued under the Act are treated in practice like civil court decrees for enforcement purposes.Who may challenge a certificate
A person served with notice under the Act can petition to contest the claimed liability. The Act provides a brief window for raising such objections and for a summary hearing process to determine liability.Appeals & Revision
Timelines and hierarchical review are key features of post-decision relief under the Act.
Appeals
Appeals must be lodged within the statutory timelines: typically 15 days for orders from Assistant Collectors or Deputy Collectors, and 30 days for Collector orders. An appellate authority may grant a stay of execution pending determination of the appeal.Revision mechanism
The Collector may revise orders of Certificate Officers or Assistant Collectors. The Commissioner reviews Collector decisions, and the Board of Land Administration may act as a further administrative review body. These stages create a hierarchical check-and-balance for administrative decisions under the Act.Banks & Financial Institutions
Financial institutions use the Act to recover dues efficiently within statutory thresholds. The framework interacts with sector-specific recovery routes for larger claims.
Certificate cases
Banks and certain financial institutions may initiate certificate cases for comparatively smaller claims (the Act has been used in practice for claims up to the amounts indicated in administrative guidance). For larger claims, lenders generally use the Artha Rin Adalat Ain, 2003 or other appropriate fora.Practical intersection
Where a claim straddles thresholds or raises complex evidentiary or commercial issues, institutions commonly combine administrative certificate steps with litigation or sectoral recovery procedures to protect their rights.Process checklist — typical sequence
| Stage | Responsible authority | Typical timeline / note |
|---|---|---|
| Issue of notice / claim | Certificate Officer / designated official | Statutory notice period before certificate issuance |
| Filing of petition by debtor | Debtor / respondent | Usually within 30 days of notice (see statutory provision) |
| Certificate issued | Certificate Officer | Treated as civil decree for enforcement |
| Appeal | Collector / Commissioner | 15–30 days depending on issuing authority; appellate stay may be available |
| Revision | Collector → Commissioner → Board of Land Administration | Administrative review hierarchy |
| Enforcement | Enforcement agencies / Courts | Non-compliance may lead to seizure or other enforcement measures |
Checklist for advisers
- Confirm the issuing authority and applicable timelines at the start.
- Preserve and present documentary proof of payment or dispute grounds early.
- Consider whether a parallel filing under Artha Rin Adalat Ain or other forum is appropriate for larger or complex claims.
Contemporary challenges & need for modernization
Administrative bottlenecks
Delays in certificate issuance and administrative processing can impede timely recovery. Procedural streamlining at the administrative level is often necessary to reduce enforcement lag.Digital modernization
Digitisation of filing, case-tracking and notice service could improve transparency and reduce avoidable delays in recovery processes.Frequently asked questions
What is the purpose of the Public Demands Recovery Act?
The Act provides an administrative scheme for recovery of certain public dues by permitting designated officials to issue recovery certificates, which may be enforced similarly to civil decrees.
Who can issue a recovery certificate?
Designated Certificate Officers or other authorised officials under the Act are empowered to issue recovery certificates in accordance with the statute and rules.
How can a debtor contest a recovery certificate?
A debtor can file a petition to contest the liability, commonly within 30 days of service of notice. The petitioner may request a hearing and present evidence challenging the claim.
What are the appeal timelines and options?
Appeals are typically 15 days for orders from Assistant or Deputy Collectors and 30 days for Collector orders. The appellate authority can grant a stay of execution while the appeal is pending.
Can recovery orders be revised?
Yes. The Collector may revise orders of subordinate officials. The Commissioner and, ultimately, the Board of Land Administration exercise further administrative review in the prescribed sequence.
What are the consequences of non-compliance?
Non-compliance can result in enforcement measures, which may include seizure of assets or other actions authorised by the relevant decree or enforcement provisions.
How TRW Law Firm can assist
TRW provides case preparation, hearings and appeal support for certificate matters and related recovery proceedings. We support clients at every administrative and, where necessary, judicial stage.
Services we offer
- Drafting and filing petitions, appeals and revision applications
- Representation at hearings and negotiating practical settlements
- Coordination across administrative and judicial routes where claims overlap
Relevant practice pages
Learn about the firm: Our firm. To start a case or discuss strategy: Contact us.Contact & next steps
Ready to discuss a certificate case?Schedule a consultation or email a short summary and relevant dates. We will confirm the appropriate statutory timelines and next tactical steps.