District Courts are the foundation of Nepal’s judicial system and the courts where most citizens first encounter the justice system. There are 77 District Courts in Nepal — one in each of the country’s 77 districts — making them the most geographically accessible courts in the country. Established under Article 148 of the Constitution of Nepal, 2015 (2072 B.S.) and regulated by the District Court Regulation, 2075 (2018), these courts exercise original jurisdiction over the vast majority of civil and criminal cases, hear appeals from local-level judicial committees, and serve as the entry point for divorce cases, property disputes, criminal prosecutions, and contract enforcement across all seven provinces.
With 287 judges serving across all 77 courts, District Courts collectively handle tens of thousands of new cases every year. This guide covers the full structure, jurisdiction, composition, case types, filing process, all 77 courts by province, the appeal pathway, and practical information for anyone dealing with Nepal’s District Courts.
Nepal operates a three-tier unitary court system under Article 127 of the Constitution. District Courts form the base of this pyramid.
| Level | Court | Number | Key Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apex | Supreme Court | 1 | Final court of appeal; constitutional interpretation; extraordinary writ jurisdiction |
| Appellate | High Courts | 7 (+ benches) | Hears appeals from District Courts; provincial writ jurisdiction; commercial bench |
| Trial | District Courts | 77 | Original jurisdiction for civil and criminal cases; court of first instance |
| Local | Judicial Committees | 753 | Minor disputes at municipality/rural municipality level; subordinate to District Court |
Despite Nepal’s federal structure with seven provinces, the judiciary remains unitary and integrated under the Supreme Court’s supervision (Article 128). District Courts are federal judicial entities — not provincial courts — ensuring uniform application of law across the country.
The establishment, composition, appointment, and jurisdiction of District Courts are governed by several constitutional articles and laws.
| Source | Provision | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| Constitution, Article 148 | Establishment | One District Court in each district of Nepal |
| Constitution, Article 149 | Appointment and qualifications | Appointment by President on Judicial Council recommendation; qualifications, remuneration, terms |
| Constitution, Article 150 | Transfer and restrictions | Judges not to be engaged in any other assignment; transfer provisions |
| Constitution, Article 151 | Jurisdiction | Original trial, writ petitions, appeals from quasi-judicial and local judicial bodies, contempt |
| Administration of Justice Act, 2073 | Section 7 | Detailed jurisdiction and procedural powers of District Courts |
| District Court Regulation, 2075 | Full regulation | Administrative procedures, court management, filing rules, record keeping |
| Muluki Civil Procedure Code, 2074 | Civil procedure | Rules for civil case filing, hearing, evidence, and judgment |
| Muluki Criminal Procedure Code, 2074 | Criminal procedure | Rules for criminal prosecution, bail, trial, and sentencing |
Each District Court consists of a Chief Judge and other judges as determined by law based on the district’s population, geography, and caseload. Across all 77 courts, Nepal has 287 District Court judges (including Chief Judges).
| Province | Districts | Total Judges | Notable Courts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Koshi | 14 | 70 | Morang (Biratnagar), Jhapa, Sunsari |
| Madhesh | 8 | 30 | Dhanusha (Janakpur), Parsa (Birgunj), Saptari |
| Bagmati | 13 | 65 | Kathmandu (33 judges), Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Chitwan |
| Gandaki | 11 | 30 | Kaski (Pokhara), Tanahun, Gorkha |
| Lumbini | 12 | 32 | Rupandehi (Butwal), Banke (Nepalgunj), Kapilvastu |
| Karnali | 10 | 20 | Surkhet (Birendranagar), Dailekh, Jumla |
| Sudurpashchim | 9 | 40 | Kailali (Dhangadhi), Kanchanpur, Doti |
District Court judges are appointed by the President of Nepal on the recommendation of the Judicial Council (Article 149). The Judicial Council consists of five members: the Chief Justice (chairperson), the Minister of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs, the senior-most Justice of the Supreme Court, and two senior advocates or distinguished jurists nominated by the Nepal Bar Association and the Prime Minister respectively.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Must be a citizen of Nepal |
| Education | Bachelor’s degree in law from a recognized university |
| Experience | Minimum 3 years of legal practice or judicial service |
| Age | Not less than 25 years at the time of appointment |
| Character | High moral character and not convicted of a criminal offense involving moral turpitude |
| Retirement age | 63 years |
| Term | Until retirement, unless removed through judicial process |
Article 151 of the Constitution grants District Courts broad jurisdiction covering five areas.
District Courts have the power to originally try and settle all civil and criminal cases within their geographical jurisdiction, except those specifically assigned to other courts by federal law. This includes government-party cases (where the state is a party) and private-party cases (between individuals or entities). All divorce cases in Nepal — whether by mutual consent or court order — are filed at the District Court.
District Courts can hear petitions under law, including petitions of habeas corpus (to challenge unlawful detention) and prohibition (to prevent an authority from acting beyond its jurisdiction). This limited writ jurisdiction allows citizens to seek immediate judicial intervention at the district level without approaching the High Court.
District Courts hear appeals from two sources:
| Appeal Source | Examples | Legal Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Quasi-judicial bodies | Land Revenue Office, CDO decisions, District Forest Office, Labour Office | Article 151(1)(c), Administration of Justice Act Section 7 |
| Local-level judicial committees | Ward-level and municipality judicial committees (753 across Nepal) | Article 151(1)(d), Local Government Operation Act 2074 |
District Courts may institute contempt proceedings and impose punishment under federal law if any person obstructs the dispensation of justice or disregards any order or judgment made by the court or its subordinate judicial bodies.
Under Article 148(2), the District Court may inspect, supervise, and give necessary directions to its subordinate local-level judicial bodies. This ensures consistency of justice delivery at the grassroots level.
District Courts handle the widest range of case types in Nepal’s judicial system. The main categories include:
| Case Type | Legal Basis | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce by mutual consent | National Civil Code 2074, Section 93 | Joint petition; can be completed in 2–3 days after 35-day cooling period |
| Divorce by court order | National Civil Code 2074, Section 94 | Contested; filed on legal grounds; may take 1–2 years |
| Child custody | National Civil Code 2074, Section 115 | Best interests of the child; children under 5 generally with mother |
| Property partition | National Civil Code 2074, Section 95 | 50-50 division of jointly acquired property |
| Alimony / maintenance | National Civil Code 2074, Section 97 | Up to 5 years of maintenance for dependent spouse |
| Marriage registration | National Civil Code 2074, Part 3 | Court marriage available at any District Court |
| Dowry recovery | National Civil Code 2074, Section 100 | Recovery of dowry given at time of marriage |
Property disputes are among the most common civil cases in District Courts. These include property law disputes such as land ownership contests, boundary disputes, tenancy claims, mortgage enforcement, easement rights, and inheritance partition. Land-related disputes are filed at the District Court of the district where the land is located.
All criminal prosecutions under the Muluki Criminal Code, 2074 — including theft, fraud, assault, forgery, cheque bounce, human trafficking, and homicide — are tried at the District Court unless specifically assigned to specialized courts (such as corruption cases assigned to the Special Court).
Disputes arising from commercial contracts, business partnerships, loan defaults, insurance claims, and company-related matters are filed at the District Court. The court applies the relevant provisions of the National Civil Code 2074, Contract Act, and Companies Act 2063.
Nepal has one District Court in each of its 77 districts, organized across seven provinces. Each court is located at the district headquarters.
| # | District | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taplejung | Taplejung |
| 2 | Panchthar | Phidim |
| 3 | Ilam | Ilam |
| 4 | Jhapa | Chandragadhi |
| 5 | Morang | Biratnagar |
| 6 | Sunsari | Inaruwa |
| 7 | Dhankuta | Dhankuta |
| 8 | Tehrathum | Myanglung |
| 9 | Sankhuwasabha | Khandbari |
| 10 | Bhojpur | Bhojpur |
| 11 | Solukhumbu | Salleri |
| 12 | Okhaldhunga | Okhaldhunga |
| 13 | Khotang | Diktel |
| 14 | Udayapur | Gaighat |
| # | District | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Saptari | Rajbiraj |
| 16 | Siraha | Siraha |
| 17 | Dhanusha | Janakpur |
| 18 | Mahottari | Jaleshwar |
| 19 | Sarlahi | Malangwa |
| 20 | Rautahat | Gaur |
| 21 | Bara | Kalaiya |
| 22 | Parsa | Birgunj |
| # | District | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|
| 23 | Dolakha | Charikot |
| 24 | Sindhupalchok | Chautara |
| 25 | Rasuwa | Dhunche |
| 26 | Nuwakot | Bidur |
| 27 | Dhading | Dhading Besi |
| 28 | Kathmandu | Kathmandu (Babar Mahal) |
| 29 | Bhaktapur | Bhaktapur |
| 30 | Lalitpur | Lalitpur |
| 31 | Kavrepalanchok | Dhulikhel |
| 32 | Ramechhap | Manthali |
| 33 | Sindhuli | Sindhulimadhi |
| 34 | Makwanpur | Hetauda |
| 35 | Chitwan | Bharatpur |
| # | District | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | Gorkha | Gorkha |
| 37 | Manang | Chame |
| 38 | Mustang | Jomsom |
| 39 | Myagdi | Beni |
| 40 | Kaski | Pokhara |
| 41 | Lamjung | Besisahar |
| 42 | Tanahun | Damauli |
| 43 | Nawalpur | Kawasoti |
| 44 | Syangja | Putalibazar |
| 45 | Parbat | Kushma |
| 46 | Baglung | Baglung |
| # | District | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|
| 47 | Gulmi | Tamghas |
| 48 | Palpa | Tansen |
| 49 | Rupandehi | Siddharthanagar (Butwal) |
| 50 | Kapilvastu | Kapilvastu |
| 51 | Arghakhanchi | Sandhikharka |
| 52 | Parasi | Ramgram |
| 53 | Dang | Ghorahi |
| 54 | Pyuthan | Pyuthan |
| 55 | Rolpa | Liwang |
| 56 | Eastern Rukum | Rukumkot |
| 57 | Banke | Nepalgunj |
| 58 | Bardiya | Gulariya |
| # | District | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|
| 59 | Western Rukum | Musikot |
| 60 | Salyan | Salyan |
| 61 | Surkhet | Birendranagar |
| 62 | Dailekh | Dailekh |
| 63 | Jajarkot | Khalanga |
| 64 | Dolpa | Dunai |
| 65 | Jumla | Jumla |
| 66 | Kalikot | Manma |
| 67 | Mugu | Gamgadhi |
| 68 | Humla | Simikot |
| # | District | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|
| 69 | Bajura | Martadi |
| 70 | Bajhang | Chainpur |
| 71 | Darchula | Darchula |
| 72 | Baitadi | Dasharathchand |
| 73 | Dadeldhura | Amargadhi |
| 74 | Doti | Dipayal |
| 75 | Achham | Mangalsen |
| 76 | Kailali | Dhangadhi |
| 77 | Kanchanpur | Mahendranagar |
Kathmandu District Court is Nepal’s largest and busiest District Court. It serves as the primary judicial institution in the capital and handles the highest volume of cases in the country.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Babar Mahal, Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Ward 11 |
| Established | 2021 B.S. (1964 A.D.) |
| Judges | 33 District Judges (including Chief Judge) |
| Benches | 33 benches (some operate from the Department of Forests building opposite the main complex) |
| New cases per year | 14,000+ (total active caseload: 22,000–23,000 including pending and transferred) |
| Enforcement applications | 2,500+ annually |
| Archive | 350,000+ case files dating back to 1942 B.S. |
| Staff | 298 staff members including 1 Section Officer (Records), 1 Section Officer (Enforcement), 31 Branch Officers |
| Special jurisdiction | Authorized to hear cyber-crime cases committed throughout Nepal |
| Operating hours | Sunday–Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (lunch 1:30–2:30 PM); Friday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (lunch 1:00–2:00 PM) |
| Services | Civil and criminal trials, marriage registration, divorce proceedings, court-referred mediation, power of attorney hearings, judgment enforcement, legal aid |
| Website | supremecourt.gov.np/court/kathmandudc |
The court’s history traces back to the era of Prime Minister Jung Bahadur Rana, when two courts — Kathmandu East Division and Kathmandu West Division — operated in the district. After the establishment of the Bhardari Adalat in 1962 B.S., several judicial bodies including the Capital Criminal Court, Capital Civil Court, the Mint Office (Taksar), and Revenue Office (Dhansar) were consolidated at Dillibazar, creating the area known as “Charkhal” (four benches). The modern Kathmandu District Court was formally established in 2021 B.S. (1964 A.D.).
Filing a case at any District Court in Nepal follows a structured process under the Muluki Civil Procedure Code, 2074 and Muluki Criminal Procedure Code, 2074.
| Step | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Determine jurisdiction | File at the District Court of the district where the cause of action arose, where the defendant resides, or where the property is located (for land cases) |
| 2 | Prepare documents | Petition/plaint, citizenship copies, evidence documents, power of attorney (if represented), witness list |
| 3 | Engage a lawyer | While self-representation is permitted, legal representation is strongly recommended; government-funded legal aid is available for the underprivileged |
| 4 | Submit petition to court registry | File the case application at the registration counter; the court assigns a case number |
| 5 | Pay court fees | Pay prescribed fees at the designated counter; fees vary by case type and claim amount |
| 6 | Service of notice | Court issues notice (tamsuk) to the opposing party; defendant must file a written response within the prescribed time |
| 7 | Mediation attempt | For civil cases, the court may refer the dispute to mediation before proceeding to trial |
| 8 | Hearing and evidence | Both parties present evidence and arguments; witnesses are examined; judge records proceedings |
| 9 | Judgment | Judge delivers written judgment with reasoning; copies provided to both parties |
| 10 | Appeal (if needed) | Appeal to the High Court within 35 days (civil) or 70 days (criminal) of judgment |
| Case Type | Jurisdiction Rule |
|---|---|
| Civil (general) | District where the defendant resides or where the cause of action arose |
| Land / property | District where the property is located |
| Criminal | District where the offense was committed |
| Divorce | District where either spouse resides; for NRNs abroad, the last place of residence in Nepal or through power of attorney |
| Corporate / commercial | District where the company is registered or where the contract was executed |
| Cyber crime | Kathmandu District Court (nationwide jurisdiction) |
Parties dissatisfied with a District Court judgment have the right to appeal to the High Court of the concerned province.
| Case Type | Appeal Period | Appeal Court | Further Appeal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil cases | 35 days from judgment | High Court of the province | Supreme Court (with leave) |
| Criminal cases | 70 days from judgment | High Court of the province | Supreme Court (with leave) |
| Writ petitions | 35 days from judgment | High Court or Supreme Court | Supreme Court |
Nepal follows a three-tier appeal system: District Court → High Court → Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is the final court of appeal and its decisions are binding on all lower courts.
| Feature | District Court | High Court | Supreme Court |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number | 77 | 7 (+ benches) | 1 |
| Judges | 287 total | 160 | 21 (including Chief Justice) |
| Primary role | Trial / first instance | Appellate | Final appeal / constitutional |
| Jurisdiction | Original civil and criminal | Appeals from District Courts; writ | Appeals from High Courts; extraordinary writ; constitutional review |
| Judge retirement | 63 years | 62 years | 65 years |
| Appointment | President on Judicial Council recommendation | President on Judicial Council recommendation | President on Constitutional Council recommendation |
| Constitution articles | 148–151 | 140–147 | 128–139 |
Before proceeding to a full trial, District Courts may refer civil disputes to mediation under the Mediation Act, 2068 (2011). Mediation is particularly common in family law cases, property disputes, and commercial disagreements. If mediation succeeds, the agreement is registered with the court and becomes legally binding.
For mutual consent divorce, the District Court may encourage mediation during the 35-day cooling period to explore reconciliation. If both parties maintain their decision to divorce after this period, the court proceeds with the divorce order.
| Challenge | Impact |
|---|---|
| Case backlog | Over 150,000 pending cases across all court tiers; pendency exceeds 20% in many District Courts |
| Average resolution time | Approximately 4.3 years per case nationally; can exceed 10 years in remote districts |
| Understaffing | Many districts have fewer judges than sanctioned positions; remote districts struggle to attract qualified judges |
| Infrastructure | Some courts operate from inadequate buildings; Kathmandu District Court itself requires overflow space in adjacent buildings |
| Digital modernization | Case management systems are being implemented but adoption is uneven; video conferencing available at select courts |
| Geographic access | Remote districts in Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces require hours of travel to reach court |
If you are involved in a case at any District Court in Nepal, the following practical guidance may help:
| Tip | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Hire a qualified lawyer | Self-representation is legal but strongly discouraged. Experienced lawyers familiar with district court procedures produce better outcomes. The Nepal Bar Association maintains a directory of licensed practitioners. |
| Prepare documents thoroughly | Missing or incomplete documents cause delays. Ensure all citizenship copies, evidence, contracts, and supporting documents are organized before filing. |
| Attend hearings on time | Failure to appear may result in ex parte decisions against you. Follow court-assigned dates strictly. |
| Use legal aid if needed | Government-funded legal aid is available for underprivileged and incapacitated persons at all District Courts. |
| Consider mediation first | Mediation is faster, cheaper, and less adversarial than a full trial. Courts actively encourage mediation for civil disputes. |
| File appeals within deadlines | Missing the 35-day (civil) or 70-day (criminal) appeal window means losing the right to appeal permanently. |
| For NRNs abroad | Cases can be managed through a power of attorney without traveling to Nepal. Ensure the POA is properly executed at the nearest Nepal Embassy. |
District Courts are the only courts where divorce cases can be filed in Nepal. Whether through mutual consent or by court order, the entire divorce process — from initial filing through judgment — takes place at the District Court level.
For Nepali citizens living abroad, filing for divorce from outside Nepal requires executing a power of attorney at the nearest Nepal Embassy or Consulate and appointing a lawyer to represent you at the relevant District Court. Our experienced divorce lawyers regularly handle cases at Kathmandu District Court and other District Courts across Nepal. Contact us at +977 9841114443 for guidance on your case.
District Courts are the backbone of Nepal’s justice system. As courts of first instance with original jurisdiction over all civil and criminal matters, they serve as the primary point of contact between citizens and the judiciary. With 77 courts, 287 judges, and jurisdiction over everything from divorce and property disputes to criminal prosecutions and commercial litigation, District Courts handle the largest volume of cases in Nepal. Understanding how these courts work, where to file, and how the process moves from filing to judgment is essential for anyone navigating the legal system of Nepal.
There are 77 District Courts in Nepal — one in each of the country’s 77 districts. They are established under Article 148 of the Constitution of Nepal, 2015 and serve as courts of first instance for all civil and criminal cases.
Under Article 151 of the Constitution, District Courts have original jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases, writ jurisdiction (habeas corpus and prohibition), appellate jurisdiction over decisions of quasi-judicial bodies and local-level judicial committees, contempt jurisdiction, and supervisory jurisdiction over subordinate local judicial bodies.
Kathmandu District Court is located at Babar Mahal, Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Ward 11. It was established in 2021 B.S. (1964 A.D.) and operates with 33 judges handling over 14,000 new cases annually. Operating hours are Sunday–Thursday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Friday 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
A total of 287 judges (including Chief Judges) serve across all 77 District Courts. Kathmandu District Court has the highest number at 33 judges. Judges are appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Judicial Council under Article 149 of the Constitution.
Yes. District Courts are the only courts where divorce cases can be filed in Nepal. Both mutual consent divorce and contested divorce by court order are filed at the District Court of the district where either spouse resides.
Filing a case requires: (1) determining the correct jurisdictional District Court, (2) preparing documents including the petition, citizenship copies, and evidence, (3) submitting the petition at the court registry, (4) paying court fees, and (5) awaiting service of notice to the opposing party. Legal representation through a qualified lawyer is strongly recommended.
Yes. Appeals from District Court decisions are filed at the High Court of the concerned province. The appeal deadline is 35 days for civil cases and 70 days for criminal cases from the date of judgment. Further appeals to the Supreme Court require leave.
District Courts are courts of first instance that try cases originally — they hear evidence, examine witnesses, and deliver initial judgments. High Courts are primarily appellate courts that review District Court decisions for errors of law or fact. There are 77 District Courts with 287 judges, while there are 7 High Courts with 160 judges.
The retirement age for District Court judges is 63 years. By comparison, High Court judges retire at 62 years and Supreme Court justices at 65 years. Judges serve until retirement unless removed through a judicial process initiated by the Judicial Council.
Divorce cases should be filed at the District Court of the district where either spouse resides. For NRNs living abroad, the case can be filed at the last place of residence in Nepal through a power of attorney executed at the nearest Nepal Embassy. See our guide on filing divorce from abroad.
Yes. Under Article 151(1)(b), District Courts can hear petitions of habeas corpus (challenging unlawful detention) and prohibition (preventing authorities from exceeding jurisdiction). This limited writ jurisdiction allows citizens to seek immediate judicial relief at the district level.
The average case resolution time in Nepal’s District Courts is approximately 4.3 years nationally. Simple mutual consent divorces may conclude in days, while complex civil or criminal cases can take several years. Remote districts with staffing challenges may see timelines exceeding 10 years for difficult cases.
Yes, self-representation is legally permitted in Nepal’s District Courts. However, it is strongly discouraged due to the complexity of legal procedures. Government-funded legal aid is available for underprivileged and incapacitated persons at all District Courts.
Yes. District Courts may refer civil disputes to mediation under the Mediation Act, 2068 (2011) before proceeding to trial. Mediation is especially common in family law cases, property disputes, and commercial disagreements. If mediation succeeds, the agreement becomes legally binding once registered with the court.
Nepal has 753 local-level judicial committees established at every municipality and rural municipality under the Local Government Operation Act, 2074. These committees handle minor disputes at the community level and are subordinate to the District Court. Appeals from their decisions go directly to the District Court under Article 151(1)(d) of the Constitution.
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