Civil practice in India has been moulded by a series of landmark decisions — some Indian, some inherited from English common law — that define the law of contract, tort, property, consumer protection and procedure. Here are 21 you should know, in brief.

Foundations of Tort and Liability

1. Donoghue v. Stevenson (1932): Established the modern law of negligence and the “neighbour principle” — you owe a duty of care to those foreseeably affected by your acts. Adopted throughout Indian tort law.
2. Rylands v. Fletcher (1868): Laid down the rule of strict liability for the escape of dangerous things brought onto one’s land.
3. M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (1987): The Oleum Gas Leak case, where the Supreme Court evolved the stricter Indian rule of absolute liability for hazardous enterprises, without exceptions.
4. State of Rajasthan v. Vidyawati (1962): Held the State vicariously liable for the tortious acts of its servants, narrowing sovereign immunity.
5. Kasturilal v. State of U.P. (1965): Recognised immunity for acts done in exercise of sovereign functions — a much-criticised counterpoint later diluted by the Court.
6. Nilabati Behera v. State of Orissa (1993): Compensation for custodial death was granted as a public-law remedy under Article 32, distinct from private tort.
7. Bhim Singh v. State of J&K (1985): Exemplary damages awarded for the illegal detention of an MLA, affirming the right to personal liberty.

Contract Law

8. Carlill v. Carbolic Smoke Ball Co. (1893): A classic on offer, acceptance and unilateral contracts — an advertisement can be a binding offer.
9. Balfour v. Balfour (1919): Domestic and social agreements generally lack the intention to create legal relations.
10. Mohori Bibee v. Dharmodas Ghose (1903): An agreement by a minor is void ab initio under Indian law.
11. Hadley v. Baxendale (1854): Set the rule on remoteness of damages — only losses naturally arising or within contemplation are recoverable.
12. Satyabrata Ghose v. Mugneeram Bangur & Co. (1954): Explained the doctrine of frustration of contract under Section 56 of the Contract Act.
13. Central Inland Water Transport Corp. v. Brojo Nath Ganguly (1986): Struck down an unconscionable clause in an unequal bargain as opposed to public policy under Section 23.

Consumer Protection

14. Indian Medical Association v. V.P. Shantha (1995): Medical services fall within the Consumer Protection Act; patients can claim for deficiency in service.
15. Lucknow Development Authority v. M.K. Gupta (1994): Public authorities are liable to consumers, and courts can award compensation for harassment and mental agony.

Property and Transfer

16. Suraj Lamp & Industries v. State of Haryana (2012): Sale of immovable property through General Power of Attorney, agreement to sell and will does not convey title; only a registered deed does.
17. Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973): Though a constitutional case on property and amendment, it entrenched the basic-structure doctrine that protects the right to property litigation framework.

Procedure and Access to Justice

18. T. Arivandandam v. T.V. Satyapal (1977): Courts must reject vexatious and meritless plaints at the threshold under Order 7 Rule 11 CPC.
19. Salem Advocate Bar Association v. Union of India (2005): Upheld and clarified the CPC amendments promoting case management, mediation and reduced delay.
20. Anil Rai v. State of Bihar (2001): Directed timely pronouncement of judgments, condemning inordinate delay after conclusion of arguments.
21. Booz Allen & Hamilton Inc. v. SBI Home Finance Ltd. (2011): Clarified which categories of disputes are arbitrable and which must be decided by courts, shaping modern arbitration practice.

Takeaway

These decisions form the bedrock of everyday civil litigation. Whether you are drafting a plaint, arguing negligence, defending a contract or advising a consumer, the principles laid down in these cases will almost certainly be in play.