Article 41 — Severing the civil case
Texte légal (original thaï)
ถ้าการพิจารณาคดีแพ่งจักทำให้การพิจารณาคดีอาญาเนิ่นช้าหรือติดขัด ศาลมีอำนาจสั่งให้แยกคดีแพ่งออกจากคดีอาญา และพิจารณาต่างหากโดยศาลที่มีอำนาจชำระ
traduction anglaise
If the trial of the civil case would cause the trial of the criminal case to be delayed or obstructed, the court has the power to order the civil case to be separated from the criminal case and to be tried separately by the court having jurisdiction.
Cette traduction anglaise est fournie à titre indicatif uniquement et n'a pas encore été vérifiée de manière définitive ; référez-vous toujours à l'original thaï.
Annotation de l'entreprise
Section 41 is the safety valve for the joinder allowed by Section 40. Where a connected civil claim is heard alongside the criminal case but would delay or obstruct the criminal trial, the court may sever the civil part and send it to be tried separately by the competent court. The order to sever is an interlocutory order under Section 196, so it is generally not appealable on its own until the case is decided. Severance keeps the criminal trial efficient without depriving the injured party of the civil remedy, and the severed civil case still runs under the Civil Procedure Code as directed by Section 40.
Pourquoi cela est important en pratique
If your damages claim is filed with the criminal case, be ready for the court to sever it when it is large, complex, or would slow the criminal trial, in which case it proceeds separately as a civil matter. Because the severance order is interlocutory, you usually cannot appeal it immediately; you object and raise it when the case is finally decided. Plan for the possibility that your civil claim runs on its own timeline, and get advice on managing both tracks; choosing an experienced litigator helps.
Décisions de la Cour suprême interprétant cette section
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 888/2490 (1947)
An order directing the plaintiff to separate the civil part from the criminal part under Section 41 is an interlocutory order within the meaning of Section 196.
In a fraud case within the Kwaeng Court's jurisdiction, the court accepted the criminal charge but ruled the restitution claim exceeded its power and ordered it severed under Section 41. The court treated that order to separate the civil part as an interlocutory order under Section 196.
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Supreme Court Judgment No. 34/2536 (1993)
Where a defendant in a connected civil and criminal case dies, extinguishing the criminal right under Section 39(1), severance of the civil part under Section 41 may be used so the civil claim can continue against the deceased's estate.
One defendant in a connected civil and criminal case died, extinguishing the criminal right against him under Section 39(1). The plaintiff sought either to bring in the estate administrator as a party for the civil part or, failing that, to sever and refile the civil claim against the remaining defendants and the estate under Section 41, so the connected civil case could proceed.
Décisions sélectionnées avec numéros de dossier vérifiés dans la base de données de la Cour suprême. Les versions anglaises sont des traductions éditoriales réalisées par le cabinet à des fins d'étude.
Foire aux questions
Can the court separate the civil claim from the criminal case?
Yes. Under Section 41, if hearing the connected civil claim would delay or obstruct the criminal trial, the court may order it severed and tried separately by the court with jurisdiction.
Can I appeal an order severing the civil case immediately?
Generally no. An order to sever under Section 41 is an interlocutory order under Section 196, so you usually raise your objection only when the case is finally decided.
Does severing the civil case affect my right to damages?
No. Severance under Section 41 only changes where and when the civil claim is heard. The claim continues separately under the Civil Procedure Code, so your right to seek damages remains.