Hindu succession law has witnessed a dramatic transformation over the last century, marked by its journey from deeply entrenched patriarchy to progressive gender equality. Rooted in ancient scriptures and traditional customs, the Hindu law of inheritance historically relegated women to a subordinate position. However, several waves of legislation have challenged and changed that landscape, making women’s … Read more
The Living Legacy: Understanding the Sources of Hindu Law Hindu law is one of the world’s oldest and most fascinating legal traditions. Steeped in ancient wisdom yet remarkably adaptable, it has evolved over millennia—from its roots in divine revelation to its present-day codified form. Let’s unravel how Hindu law was shaped, examining both its ancient … Read more
When trying to understand what makes a tort unique among civil wrongs, one phrase stands out:“A tort is redressible by an action for unliquidated damages.”But what does this mean in practice, and why does it matter? Let’s break it down. What Are Unliquidated Damages? In simple terms, unliquidated damages are sums of money awarded by a court … Read more
The phrase “This civil wrong is other than a mere breach of contract or breach of trust” often comes up in law books, but what does it really mean? It gets to the heart of what makes a tort unique among other civil wrongs. Let’s break down how tort law is defined by what it is—and what it isn’t. … Read more
When we hear about legal disputes, we often think of crime and punishment, but not every legal wrong is a crime. Some are civil wrongs—those acts that violate a person’s private rights, rather than the rights of society as a whole. In law, these are called torts. What Exactly Is a Tort? The word “tort” comes … Read more
The law of torts functions as a tool to encourage individuals to act responsibly and to respect the rights and interests of others. It achieves this by safeguarding certain recognized interests and enabling those whose interests are unjustly violated to seek compensation from those responsible for such breaches. The term “interest” refers to any claim, … Read more
Tort and crime are fundamentally distinct branches of law, each concerned with different kinds of rights, remedies, and objectives. Core Differences Statutory Context and Judicial Interpretation Judicial Perspective The Bombay High Court has elucidated the difference through the lens of sanctions and purpose:“In the case of a crime, the sanction is punishment; in torts or … Read more
Quasi-contracts arise in situations where the law imposes liability on a person to compensate another, not because of an explicit agreement, but due to the receipt of money or benefits to which the other party has a superior claim. The underlying principle is to prevent unjust enrichment—no person should unjustly profit at another’s expense. Legal Basis … Read more
Tort and contract law form two major fields within civil law, each governed by distinct principles and addressing different types of legal duties. Foundational Differences A contract is based on mutual agreement between the parties—consent forms its foundation. By contrast, a tort occurs irrespective of the victim’s consent; tortious acts are often committed without, or … Read more
The word “tort” has its roots in French, where it translates to the English term “wrong,” and is equivalent to the Roman law concept of “delict.” It entered English legal vocabulary through the influence of Norman jurists. Originating from the Latin “tortum,” meaning “twisted,” the term refers to actions or conduct that deviate from what … Read more