Punjab Civil Judge (Junior Division) Substantive Law (Contract, TPA, SRA, Torts) Syllabus

Punjab Civil Judge (Junior Division) Substantive Law (Contract, TPA, SRA, Torts): topic-wise syllabus

1. 1

   Offer, Acceptance, and Communication (Sections 2-10)

   • Proposal/Offer: Definition (Section 2a), Types (Express, Implied, Specific, General)
   • Acceptance: Section 2b, Absolute and Unqualified (Section 7), Conditional Acceptance is Counter-Offer
   • Communication of Offer/Acceptance (Sections 3-5): When Complete
   • Revocation of Offer/Acceptance (Sections 5-6): Time of Revocation, Modes
   • Standing/Open Offers and Acceptance
   • Case Law: Carlill v Carbolic Smoke Ball Co [1893] (Unilateral Offer); Lalman Shukla v Gauri Dutt (Acceptance with Knowledge)
2. 2

   Consideration and Privity of Contract (Sections 2d, 23-27)

   • Definition of Consideration (Section 2d): Benefit-Detriment Analysis
   • Essentials: Moved at Desire of Promisor, Promisor-Promisee-Consideration Link
   • Adequacy vs Sufficiency: Courts Don't Weigh Adequacy (Section 25)
   • Exceptions to No Consideration No Contract: Natural Love & Affection, Past Service, Completed Gift (Section 25)
   • Communication, Acceptance and Revocation of Proposal (Sections 3-6)
   • Doctrine of Privity of Contract: Only Parties Can Sue
   • Exceptions to Privity: Trust/Covenant, Family Settlement, Assignment, Acknowledgement
   • Case Law: Dunlop Pneumatic v Selfridge (Privity); Chinnaya v Ramayya (Consideration from Third Party); Tweddle v Atkinson
3. 3

   Capacity and Free Consent (Sections 11-22)

   • Who Can Contract: Age of Majority (Majority Act), Sound Mind (Section 12)
   • Minor's Agreements: Void ab initio, Restitution, Liability for Necessaries (Section 68)
   • Persons of Unsound Mind: Idiot, Lunatic, Drunkard, Alien Enemy, Convict
   • Coercion (Section 15): Definition, Threat to Commit Offence, Detaining Property
   • Undue Influence (Section 16): Relationship, Burden of Proof, Presumed vs Proved
   • Fraud (Section 17): Active Concealment, Promise Without Intention, Suggestion Falsi
   • Misrepresentation (Section 18): Innocent vs Fraudulent, Duty to Disclose
   • Mistake (Sections 20-22): Bilateral, Unilateral, Mistake of Fact vs Law
   • Case Law: Mohori Bibee v Dharmodas Ghose (Minor's Contract Void); Ranganayakamma v Alwar Setti (Undue Influence); Derry v Peek (Fraud)
4. 4

   Legality of Object and Void Agreements (Sections 23-30)

   • Unlawful Object and Consideration (Section 23): Forbidden by Law, Defeat Law, Fraudulent, Injurious, Immoral, Public Policy
   • Agreements in Restraint of Marriage (Section 26), Trade (Section 27), Legal Proceedings (Section 28)
   • Ambiguous and Uncertain Agreements (Section 29)
   • Wagering Agreements (Section 30): Definition, Void, Exceptions (Horse Racing, Skill Games)
   • Contingent Contracts (Sections 31-36): Dependent on Future Event, Wagering Distinguished
   • Case Law: Gherulal Parakh v Mahadeodas Maiya (Wagering); Mohan Breweries v Unitech (Restraint of Trade)
5. 5

   Performance and Discharge of Contract (Sections 37-67)

   • Obligation of Parties to Perform (Section 37), Joint Promisors (Sections 42-44)
   • Time of Performance (Section 46-50), Time as Essence (Section 55)
   • Discharge by Performance, Breach (Actual vs Anticipatory), Frustration
   • Anticipatory Breach: Repudiation Before Due Date, Election to Treat as Breach
   • Doctrine of Frustration (Section 56): Impossibility, Supervening Events, Not Self-Induced
   • Effects of Frustration: Contract Discharged, Adjustment of Rights
   • Case Law: Satyabrata Ghose v Mugneeram Bangur (Frustration); Taylor v Caldwell (Doctrine of Frustration); Hochster v De la Tour (Anticipatory Breach)
6. 6

   Breach of Contract and Remedies (Sections 73-75)

   • Compensation for Loss/Damage (Section 73): Remoteness, Direct vs Consequential
   • Measure of Damages: Expectation, Reliance, Restitution
   • Liquidated Damages and Penalty (Section 74): Court's Discretion, Reasonable Compensation
   • Quantum Meruit: Claim for Work Done Without Contract Price
   • Suit for Specific Performance (SRA 1963), Injunction
   • Case Law: Hadley v Baxendale (Remoteness of Damage); Karsales v Wallis (Fundamental Breach)
7. 7

   Indemnity and Guarantee (Sections 124-147)

   • Contract of Indemnity (Section 124): Definition, Rights of Indemnity Holder (Section 125)
   • Contract of Guarantee (Section 126): Definition, Surety-Principal Debtor-Creditor
   • Essential Features of Guarantee: Consideration (Section 127), Writing Not Required
   • Continuing Guarantee (Section 129), Revocation of Guarantee (Section 130-132)
   • Liability of Surety (Section 128): Co-extensive, Limits to Surety's Liability
   • Discharge of Surety (Sections 133-141): Variance, Release, Loss of Security
   • Rights of Surety (Sections 140-145): Subrogation, Indemnity, Contribution
   • Case Law: Bank of Bihar v Damodar Prasad (Surety Liability)
8. 8

   Bailment and Pledge (Sections 148-181)

   • Bailment (Section 148): Definition, Bailor and Bailee, Delivery of Possession
   • Gratuitous vs Non-Gratuitous Bailment
   • Duties of Bailee (Sections 151-152): Reasonable Care, Not to Make Unauthorized Use (Section 154)
   • Duty of Bailor: Disclose Faults in Goods (Section 150), Repay Necessary Expenses (Section 158)
   • Finder of Goods (Sections 168-172): Rights, When Becomes Owner
   • Pledge (Section 172): Definition, Essentials, Pledge by Non-Owner (Sections 178-180)
   • Rights of Pawnee (Sections 173-177): Retain, Sue, Sell
   • Case Law: Coggs v Bernard (Bailment Duties); Morvi Mercantile Bank v Union of India (Pledge by Non-Owner)
9. 9

   Agency (Sections 182-238)

   • Definition of Agent and Principal (Section 182), Kinds of Agents
   • Creation of Agency (Sections 183-188): Express, Implied, Ratification (Section 196-200)
   • Agent's Authority: Actual, Ostensible/Apparent, Authority by Necessity
   • Duties of Agent (Sections 211-216): Duty of Care, Account, Not to Make Secret Profit
   • Rights of Agent (Sections 217-225): Remuneration, Lien, Indemnity
   • Principal's Liability for Agent's Acts (Sections 226-228)
   • Personal Liability of Agent (Sections 230-234): Foreign Principal, Undisclosed Principal
   • Termination of Agency (Sections 201-210): Revocation, Renunciation, Death, Insanity
   • Case Law: Lloyd v Grace Smith (Ostensible Authority); Sitaram v Suman (Ratification)
10. 10

    Recovery of Possession (Sections 5-9)

    • Recovery of Specific Immovable Property (Section 5): Owner's Right
    • Suit by Person Dispossessed (Section 6): Summary Procedure, Limitation 6 Months
    • Limits of Section 6: No Bar to Title Suit, Not Against Government
    • Recovery of Specific Movable Property (Sections 7-8): Detention, Specific Delivery
    • Difference Between Section 5 and Section 6 Remedies
    • Case Law: P. Lakshmi Reddy v L. Lakshmi Reddy (Section 6); Maria Margarida v Erasmo Jack (Possession)
11. 11

    Specific Performance of Contracts (Sections 10-21)

    • Contracts That Can Be Enforced (Section 10): No Adequate Remedy in Damages
    • Contracts Not Enforceable (Sections 11-14): Compensation Adequate, Contracts Involving Personal Service, Minor's Contracts
    • Discretion and Powers of Court (Sections 20-21): Circumstances Refusing Relief
    • Who May Obtain Performance (Section 15-16): Parties, Representative, Joint Promisee
    • Personal Bars to Relief (Section 16): Not Ready and Willing, Default, Hardship
    • Case Law: Ahluwalia v Sita Ram (Discretion); Ram Kumar v Ram Charan (Readiness & Willingness)
12. 12

    Rectification, Rescission, and Cancellation (Sections 26-33)

    • Rectification of Instruments (Section 26): Mutual Mistake, Fraud, When Refused
    • Rescission of Contracts (Section 27): Grounds for Rescission, Effect
    • Alternative Claim for Rescission (Section 29), Court's Power (Section 28)
    • Cancellation of Instruments (Sections 31-33): When Void/Voidable, Partial Cancellation
    • Case Law: Maya Devi v Raj Kumari (Rectification)
13. 13

    Declaratory Decrees (Sections 34-35)

    • Discretion of Court to Make Declaration (Section 34): Legal Character/Title to Property
    • Conditions: Plaintiff Entitled to Character/Right, Denial by Defendant, No Further Relief Possible
    • Effect of Declaration (Section 35): Binding on Parties
    • Case Law: Supreme General Films v H.H. Maharaja of Bikaner (Declaratory Suit)
14. 14

    Injunctions (Sections 36-42)

    • Perpetual Injunctions (Section 37): Final Order on Merits, When Granted
    • Temporary Injunctions (Section 37 read with Order 39 CPC): Pending Disposal
    • Mandatory Injunctions (Section 39): Restore Status Quo Ante, Boundary, Repair, Remove Obstruction
    • Damages in Lieu of Injunction (Section 40): Court's Discretion
    • Injunction When Refused (Section 41): Acquiescence, Laches, Adequate Damages Available
15. 15

    General Principles of Transfer (Sections 5-18)

    • Definition: Transfer of Property (Section 5), Immovable Property (Section 3)
    • Competence to Transfer (Section 6): Property That May Be Transferred, Property That Cannot (Spes Successionis, Right of Re-entry, etc.)
    • Operation of Transfer (Sections 8-9): What Passes on Transfer
    • Conditional Transfers (Sections 10-14): Condition Subsequent, Condition Precedent
    • Transfer to Unborn Person (Section 13), Rule Against Perpetuities (Section 14)
    • Vested and Contingent Interests (Sections 19-21)
    • Case Law: State of UP v District Judge (Rule Against Perpetuities); Sopher v Ahmedabad (Unborn Person)
16. 16

    Important Doctrines (Sections 41-53)

    • Doctrine of Lis Pendens (Section 52): Stay of Transfer Pending Suit
    • Doctrine of Fraudulent Transfer (Section 53): Transfers to Defeat Creditors Voidable
    • Doctrine of Part Performance (Section 53A): Possession in Pursuance of Contract
    • Doctrine of Election (Section 35): Person Cannot Accept and Reject Same Instrument
    • Doctrine of Feeding Grant by Estoppel (Section 43): Transfer by Unauthorised Person
    • Case Law: Hamda Ammal v Avadiappa Pathar (Lis Pendens); Shrimati Savitri v FAICT (Part Performance)
17. 17

    Sale of Immovable Property (Sections 54-57)

    • Definition of Sale (Section 54): Transfer of Ownership for a Price, Registration Required
    • Rights and Liabilities of Buyer and Seller (Sections 55): Title, Charge for Price, Encumbrances
    • Marshalling by Buyer (Section 56), Discharge of Encumbrances (Section 57)
18. 18

    Mortgage and Charge (Sections 58-100)

    • Definition of Mortgage (Section 58), Mortgagor, Mortgagee, Mortgage Deed
    • Kinds of Mortgages: Simple (Section 58b), Mortgage by Condition Sale (Section 58c), English Mortgage (Section 58e), Equitable (Section 58f), AnomalousRights of Mortgagor (Sections 60-66): Redemption, Partial Redemption (Section 60), Accession (Section 63), Renewal (Section 64), Implied Contract (Section 65)
    • Right of Redemption (Section 60): Once a Mortgage Always a Mortgage, No Clog on Redemption
    • Foreclosure and Sale (Sections 67-68): Mortgagee's Right
    • Rights of Mortgagee (Sections 69-77): Sale, Receiver, Accounts
    • Priorities: Mortgages (Sections 78-80), Subrogation (Sections 91-96)
    • Charge (Section 100): Definition, Differs from Mortgage, Enforcement
    • Case Law: Pomal Kanji Govindji v Vrajlal Karsandas Purohit (Clog on Redemption); Gappulal v Thakurji (Subrogation)
19. 19

    Lease, Exchange, and Gift (Sections 105-127)

    • Lease of Immovable Property (Section 105): Lessor, Lessee, Premium, Rent, Term
    • Duration, Registration, Determination (Sections 106-117): Lapse, Merger, Surrender, Forfeiture
    • Exchange (Sections 118-121): Mutual Transfer of Ownership
    • Gift (Sections 122-127): Definition, Essentials, Donor-Donee, Acceptance, Gift to Unborn, Onerous Gift
    • Revocation of Gift: Completed vs Incomplete, Conditions, Fraud
20. 20

    Transfers of Actionable Claims (Sections 130-137)

    • Definition of Actionable Claim (Section 3), Transfer (Section 130)
    • Transfer of Insurance Policy (Section 131), Negotiable Instruments (Section 137)
21. 21

    Nature, Elements, and Foundations of Tort

    • Definition (Winfield, Salmond): Civil Wrong Independent of Contract, Remedies in Unliquidated Damages
    • Ingredients: Wrongful Act (Act/Omission), Legal Damage (Damnum sine Injuria, Injuria sine Damnum), Legal Remedy
    • Distinction from Crime: Public vs Private Wrong, Mens Rea, Procedure
    • Distinction from Contract: Duty Fixed by Law vs Voluntarily Assumed, Privity
    • Distinction from Breach of Trust, Quasi-Contract
    • Case Law: Ashby v White (Injuria sine Damnum); Gloucester Grammar School (Damnum sine Injuria); Bhim Singh v State of J&K (Constitutional Tort)
22. 22

    General Defences in Tort

    • Volenti Non Fit Injuria (Consent): Knowledge + Voluntary Assumption of Risk
    • Act of God (Vis Major): Extraordinary Natural Events Unforeseeable
    • Inevitable Accident: Without Fault and Unavoidable
    • Necessity: Greater Harm Avoided, Public vs Private
    • Statutory Authority: Express vs Implied, Ultra Vires Acts
    • Private Defence: Proportionate Force, Person and Property
    • Plaintiff's Default, Act of Third Party, Mistake
23. 23

    Trespass to Person, Land, and Goods

    • Assault: Apprehension of Harmful/Offensive Contact, Conditional Threats
    • Battery: Actual Physical Contact, Hostile + Harmful/Offensive
    • False Imprisonment: Total Restraint of Liberty, Knowledge Not Essential, Modes (Arrest, Police, Private)
    • Trespass to Land: Direct Interference, Continuing Trespass, Trespass ab initio
    • Trespass to Goods (Trover, Detinue, Conversion): Interference with Possessory Rights
    • Case Law: Bird v Jones (False Imprisonment); Basudeo v State of UP (Police Custodial Violence); Entick v Carrington (Trespass to Premises)
24. 24

    Negligence

    • Definition: Breach of Duty to Take Care Causing Damage, Three Ingredients
    • Duty of Care: Neighbour Principle (Donoghue v Stevenson 1932), Proximity, Foreseeability
    • Breach of Duty: Standard of Care — Reasonable Man, Professional Standards, Res Ipsa Loquitur
    • Damage: Causation in Fact (But For Test), Remoteness (Wagon Mound I), Novus Actus Interveniens
    • Contributory Negligence: Apportionment of Damage (Law Reform Act 1945/India Section 1A, Fatal Accidents Act)
    • Occupiers' Liability, Nervous Shock, Economic Loss, Professional Negligence (Medical, Legal)
    • Case Law: Donoghue v Stevenson (Neighbour Principle); Jacob Mathew v State of Punjab (Medical Negligence); Bolam v Friern Hospital (Professional Standard)
25. 25

    Nuisance and Defamation

    • Private Nuisance: Unreasonable Interference with Use of Land, Substantial Damage
    • Public Nuisance: Interference with Rights of Public, Crime + Tort, Special Damage
    • Defences to Nuisance: Prescription, Statutory Authority, Coming to Nuisance
    • Defamation: Libel vs Slander, Defamatory Statement, Publication, Reference to Plaintiff
    • Defences: Justification (Truth in Civil), Fair Comment, Privilege (Absolute vs Qualified), Apology
    • Case Law: Rylands v Fletcher (Nuisance, Strict Liability); Rama Rao v Shantibai (Defamation)
26. 26

    Strict and Absolute Liability

    • Strict Liability (Rylands v Fletcher 1868): Escape of Dangerous Thing, Non-Natural Use, Exceptions
    • Absolute Liability (M C Mehta v Union of India 1987): Enterprise Liability for Hazardous Industries, No Defences
    • Indian Position: Public Liability Insurance Act 1991, National Green Tribunal Act 2010
    • The Bhopal Gas Disaster, Oleum Gas Leak Case Principles
27. 27

    Vicarious Liability and Torts Against State

    • Master-Servant: Scope of Employment, Frolic vs Detour, Course of Employment
    • Principal-Agent: Agent's Acts in Course of Agency
    • Partners: Partnership Act, Each Partner Liable for Torts of Co-Partner
    • State Liability: Article 300, Sovereign vs Non-Sovereign Functions
    • Case Law: Kasturi Lal v State of UP (Sovereign Immunity); Nilabati Behera v State of Orissa (Custodial Death, Constitutional Tort)
28. 28

    Remedies and Consumer Protection

    • Judicial Remedies: Damages (General, Special, Nominal, Contemptuous, Exemplary, Vindictive)
    • Extrajudicial Remedies: Self-help, Abatement of Nuisance, Reception of Property
    • Injunction: Temporary, Perpetual, Mandatory, Prohibitory
    • Consumer Protection Act 2019: Consumer Rights, Unfair Trade Practices, Product Liability, Forums