Chapter 18

Defects of the Plaint

A plaint that is contrary to the interest of the kingdom, that is rejected by the king, or that is confused with multiple claims, cannot succeed. // K_136 //

A case that involves multiple claims, though determined as such in legal proceedings, the king may still accept it out of a desire to know the truth. // K_137 //

A plaint that is devoid of place and time, lacking quantity of the object and number, and deficient in the amount of the claim, is considered inadmissible. // K_138 //

He who does not wish to act according to justice or acts unjustly, his plaint does not succeed because he does not have it written down in this manner. // K_139 //

One should reject a defective plaint (pakṣābhāsa) that is unknown, unopposed, meaningless, without purpose, impossible to prove, or contradictory. // K_140 //

Knowers of plaints know a plaint to be one that is free from the defects of a claim, is provable, accompanied by a valid reason, definite, and established in the world. // K_141 //

It should have few words but abundant meaning, be unambiguous, not confusing, free from contradictory reasons, and should negate any opposing arguments. // K_142 //

When a plaint of this kind has been formulated by the plaintiff, the defendant should then give a reply that is relevant to that plaint. // K_143 //

When a matter is being stated by the plaintiff, if it is not contradicted, or if one remains silent at the time of giving, that matter is considered approved. // K_144 //