False imprisonment is a tort that occurs when an individual is unlawfully confined or restrained without consent or legal justification. It requires total restraint, intentionality, and lack of lawful authority. The tort protects personal liberty and offers remedies such as damages, self-help, and h
In Sulochana Amma v. Narayanan Nair (1994), the Supreme Court upheld the application of res judicata to injunction decrees from courts with limited pecuniary jurisdiction. The case involved property rights and multiple suits following the alienation of a life estate. The Court ruled that once a comp
Case Study: Nanchand Gangaram v. Malappa Mahalingappa
In Nanchand Gangaram v. Malappa Mahalingappa (AIR 1976 SC 835), the Supreme Court held that Section 45 of the Indian Partnership Act does not apply to Hindu Joint Families, as these are based on status, not contract. The court emphasized that a Karta’s acknowledgment of debt cannot extend the statut
In Gherulal Parakh v. Mahadeodas Maiya (AIR 1959 SC 781), the Supreme Court of India held that while wagering contracts are void under Section 30 of the Indian Contract Act, they are not illegal under Section 23. The court ruled that partnerships formed for wagering purposes are not unlawful, as wag
Vicarious liability under tort law is a legal principle that holds one party accountable for the wrongful acts of another, even if they did not directly cause harm. It commonly applies to relationships such as principal-agent, partners, and master-servant. This concept ensures that victims of wrongf
Bar of Order II Rule 2 under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
Order II Rule 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, mandates that a plaintiff must present all claims arising from a single cause of action in one suit, preventing the splitting of claims and the filing of multiple suits. This rule aims to reduce the burden on the judiciary, avoid unnecessary dela
Interpleader suits are designed to resolve disputes when a party holds property claimed by multiple individuals. Governed by Section 88 and Order XXXV of the Civil Procedure Code, 1908, an interpleader suit allows the stakeholder to request the court to determine the rightful owner, protecting them
Test of Partnership under the Indian Partnership Act, 1932
Section 27 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, underscores that a child’s consent, particularly under 12 years of age, is invalid for legal purposes, particularly in matters of harm and sexual activities. Acts done in good faith for the benefit of children or persons of unsound mind, with the guard
Bailor-Bailee Relationship under the Indian Contract Act, 1872
The bailor-bailee relationship, governed by the Indian Contract Act, 1872, is a legal arrangement where one party (the bailor) entrusts their goods to another (the bailee) for a specific purpose. The bailee is responsible for taking care of the goods and returning them once the purpose is fulfilled.
The joinder of plaintiffs under Order I Rule 1 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, allows multiple parties with a common cause of action to collectively sue a defendant. This approach promotes judicial efficiency by reducing duplicative efforts and minimizing conflicting judgments. Necessary parti
Case Study: Shanker Housing Corporation (Ext.) v. Mohan Devi and Eight Ors
In Shanker Housing Corporation (Ext.) v. Mohan Devi & Ors., the Delhi High Court ruled that under Section 69(2) of the Indian Partnership Act, a firm can only sue a third party if the firm is registered and all partners involved in the lawsuit were listed in the Register of Firms at the time the sui
Res judicata, defined in Section 11 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, prevents the re-litigation of issues once conclusively decided by a court. It ensures finality and consistency in legal proceedings by barring subsequent cases on the same matter between the same parties. This principle promot
Limits of Specific Performance: Contracts Excluded Under the Specific Relief Act
The Specific Relief Act outlines contracts that cannot be specifically enforced. Under Section 14, contracts involving continuous duties, personal qualifications, or those that are determinable are excluded from specific performance. Section 16 further bars enforcement based on the plaintiff’s condu
Beyond Consideration: Exploring the Key Exceptions in Section 25 of the Indian Contract Act
Section 25 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872, outlines exceptions to the general requirement of consideration in contracts. These include agreements made out of natural love and affection, compensation for past voluntary services, and promises to pay time-barred debts. While consideration is typicall
Case Study: I.T.C. Limited v. George Joseph Fernandes
In I.T.C. Limited v. George Joseph Fernandes (1989), the Supreme Court addressed whether a contract could be deemed void due to mutual mistake. The appellant claimed the trawlers provided were defective, arguing the contract was void based on a fundamental defect. However, the court held that the co
In Mathai Mathai v. Joseph Mary (2015), the Supreme Court of India ruled that a mortgage deed executed by a minor was void ab initio, citing Section 11 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872. The court invalidated the appellant’s claim of tenancy rights under the Kerala Land Reforms Act, as the mortgage w
Case Study: Patel Roadways Limited, Bombay v. Prasad Trading Company
In Patel Roadways Ltd., Bombay v. Prasad Trading Co., the Supreme Court ruled that a suit against a corporation can be filed where its subordinate office is located, even if its registered office is elsewhere. The court invalidated the exclusive jurisdiction clause, emphasizing convenience for plain
Case Study: Klaus Mittelbachert v. East India Hotels Ltd.
In Klaus Mittelbachert v. East India Hotels Ltd. (AIR 1997 Del 201), the Delhi High Court held a luxury hotel liable for negligence after a Lufthansa co-pilot was severely injured while diving into the hotel’s swimming pool. The court emphasized that high-end hotels are expected to maintain higher s
Right to Alienate under the Transfer of Property Act, 1882
The right to alienate property is a fundamental aspect of ownership under the Transfer of Property Act, 1882. However, this right can be subject to restraints, such as restrictions on timing, the transferee, or the purpose of the sale. While absolute restraints, which completely prevent the transfer
Case Study: Taj Mahal Hotel v. United India Insurance Company Limited and Others
In the case of Taj Mahal Hotel v. United India Insurance Co. Ltd., the Supreme Court of India held that hotels are liable for the theft of vehicles left with their valet services, establishing a bailor-bailee relationship. The court emphasized that hotels cannot contract out of this liability throug
In the case of Khan Gul v. Lakha Singh (1928), the Lahore High Court ruled that even if a minor misrepresents their age, they retain the right to avoid contractual obligations under the Indian Contract Act. However, they cannot retain benefits from such void agreements and must make restitution. The
Case Study: Vinesh Phogat v. United World Wrestling & I.O.C.
In Vinesh Phogat v. United World Wrestling & I.O.C., the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissed Phogat’s appeal against her disqualification from the 2024 Paris Olympics. Phogat was disqualified for exceeding the 50 kg weight limit by 100 grams before the finals of the Women’s Freestyle even
Jurisdictional Complexities under Section 20 of the C.P.C.: Analyzing the Place of Suing
Section 20 of the Code of Civil Procedure (C.P.C.) in India provides guidelines for determining the appropriate court for filing a lawsuit. It outlines the conditions under which a suit can be instituted, based on the residence of the defendants, the place of business, or where the cause of action a
The Harvey v. Facey case underscores the significance of clear and explicit communication in forming contracts. In this 1893 decision by the Privy Council, the court ruled that Mr. Facey’s response to Mr. Harvey’s inquiry about purchasing property did not constitute a binding offer but merely provid
Case Study: Harshad Chiman Lal Modi v. D.L.F. Universal Ltd
The Supreme Court in Harshad Chiman Lal Modi v. D.L.F. Universal Ltd. emphasized the primacy of territorial jurisdiction in cases involving immovable property. The Court held that the Delhi Court lacked jurisdiction to hear a suit for specific performance concerning property in Haryana, despite an e
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