LEGAL PRINCIPLE: CIVIL PROCEDURE – Pleadings – Striking Out Pleadings – Consideration Limited to Writ and Statement of Claim – Extrinsic Evidence Irrelevant

Striking out for “no reasonable cause” is determined solely from pleadings themselves. What is considered: Writ/summons and statement of claim only—these are examined to determine if reasonable cause exists. What is NOT considered: Extrinsic evidence—cannot go beyond pleadings to prove pleading is bad. “Upon the face of the pleadings” means: apparent from pleading documents themselves, evident without external proof, and based on averments alone. “Extrinsic evidence” means: matters outside pleadings, affidavits, documents, or testimony—these cannot be used to defeat pleadings at striking out stage. This serves: maintaining distinction between pleading stage and trial, preventing premature determination on evidence, and confining striking out to clear pleading defects. The striking out procedure: tests legal sufficiency of pleadings, not evidentiary proof, and is determined on pleading face alone. If extrinsic evidence is needed to show pleading is bad: striking out is inappropriate, matter should go to trial, and evidence can be adduced then. This prevents: using striking out as substitute for trial, introducing evidence at pleading stage, and defeating cases that disclose reasonable cause on pleadings but might fail on evidence. Courts must: confine examination to pleadings themselves, assume pleaded facts are true, and strike out only when pleadings facially fail to disclose reasonable cause.