# 52    Appearance of parties before village courts

(1) The parties to criminal cases triable by a village court shall appear personally before the court:

Provided that the village court, if it sees reason so to do, may dispense with the personal attendance of the accused and permit him to appear by agent.

(2) The parties to civil suits triable by a village court may appear by agent.

Explanation.—In sub-section (1) and sub-section (2), "agent" means a full-time servant or a partner or a relative of the party whom the village court may admit as a fit person to represent that party and who is authorised to appear and plead for such party.

(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in any law, legal practitioners shall not be permitted to practice before a village court.