CONTRACT

Carlill v. Carbolic Smoke Ball Co. (1893) – Classic case defining offer and acceptance in unilateral contracts.
Lalman Shukla v. Gauri Dutt (1913) – Knowledge of offer essential for valid acceptance.
Balfour v. Balfour (1919) – Domestic agreements are not contracts enforceable by law.
Mohori Bibee v. Dharmodas Ghose (1903) – Minor’s contract is void ab initio.
Chinnaya v. Ramaya (1882) – Consideration may move from a third party.
Durga Prasad v. Baldeo (1880) – Past voluntary act is not valid consideration.
Hadley v. Baxendale (1854) – Established principle of remoteness of damages.
Kedarnath Bhattacharjee v. Gorie Mohammad (1886) – Promise to contribute is enforceable if acted upon.
Fletcher v. Peck (1810) – Contracts obtained by fraud are voidable.

SPECIFIC RELIEF

K. Narendra v. Riviera Apartments (1999) – Specific performance denied if inequitable to enforce.

Gomathinayagam Pillai v. Palaniswami Nadar (1967) – Plaintiff must be ready and willing to perform contract.
N.P. Thirugnanam v. R. Jagan Mohan Rao (1995) – Readiness and willingness must exist throughout proceedings.
Lourdu Mari David v. Louis Chinnaya Arogiaswamy (1996) – Delay defeats right to specific performance.
Surinder Kaur v. Bahadur Singh (2019) – Specific performance discretionary, not as of right.

TPA

Kedar Nath v. Sheo Narain (1970) – Transfer must be for consideration to be valid.
Tulsan v. Pyare Lal (1998) – Registration essential for transfer of immovable property above ₹100.
N. Srinivasa Rao v. Special Court (2006) – Oral gifts valid only under Mohammedan law.
Renuka v. C. Manoharan (1999) – Conditional transfer valid if condition not opposed to law.
Delhi Motor Co. v. U.A. Basrurkar (1968) – Ownership passes only on registration, not agreement to sell.
Ramaswamy Naidu v. M.S. Velappan (1992) – Transfer in contravention of court order is void.
R.K. Mohammed Ubaidullah v. Hajee Abdul Wahab (2000) – Partial invalidity of transfer does not affect valid portion.
CIT v. Podar Cement Pvt. Ltd. (1997) – Possession with ownership rights recognized for taxation purposes.
Ram Baran Prasad v. Ram Mohit Hazra (1967) – Transfer of mere right to sue is invalid.
Saraswati Devi v. Usha Devi (1982) – Doctrine of lis pendens applies even without notice.

NI ACT

K. Bhaskaran v. Sankaran Vaidhyan Balan (1999) – Explained five components constituting offence under Section 138.
Dashrath Rupsingh Rathod v. State of Maharashtra (2014) – Jurisdiction lies where cheque is dishonoured, not presented.
M/s. Bridgestone India Pvt. Ltd. v. Inderpal Singh (2016) – Complaint maintainable at drawee bank’s place post amendment.
ICDS Ltd. v. Beena Shabeer (2002) – Liability of guarantor under Section 138 recognized.
Krishna Janardhan Bhat v. Dattatraya Hegde (2008) – Presumption under Section 139 rebuttable by preponderance of probability.
Rangappa v. Sri Mohan (2010) – Expanded presumption in favour of holder under Section 139.
P. Venugopal v. Madan P. Sarathi (2009) – Presumption applies even for blank cheque if signature admitted.
Hiten P. Dalal v. Bratindranath Banerjee (2001) – Presumption under Section 139 mandatory unless rebutted.
M/s. Modi Cements Ltd. v. Kuchil Kumar Nandi (1998) – Stop payment does not absolve drawer’s liability.
Trishul Cement Co. v. State of Tamil Nadu (2020) – Successive presentations permissible within validity period.

TORTS

Donoghue v. Stevenson (1932) – Laid the foundation of modern negligence law through the "neighbour principle".
Rylands v. Fletcher (1868) – Established the rule of strict liability for hazardous activities.
Ashby v. White (1703) – Recognized the principle that every injury to a legal right deserves a remedy.
M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (Oleum Gas Leak Case, 1987) – Introduced absolute liability for enterprises engaged in hazardous activities.
Kasturi Lal v. State of UP (1965) – Defined state immunity in cases of sovereign functions.

TAX

McDowell & Co. Ltd. v. CTO (1985) – Denounced tax evasion and emphasized substance over form.
Vodafone International Holdings v. Union of India (2012) – Landmark on international tax and indirect transfer of assets.
K.P. Varghese v. ITO (1981) – Clarified interpretation of “understatement of consideration” under the Income Tax Act.
CIT v. B.C. Srinivasa Setty (1981) – Held that goodwill is not taxable as capital gain without cost of acquisition.
GKN Driveshafts (India) Ltd. v. ITO (2003) – Outlined procedure for reassessment notices.

LABOUR

Banglore Water Supply v. A. Rajappa (1978) – Defined “industry” under the Industrial Disputes Act broadly.
Workmen of Dimakuchi Tea Estate v. Management (1958) – Explained who qualifies as “workmen”.
Mackinnon Mackenzie v. Audrey D’Costa (1987) – Recognized gender discrimination and workplace harassment.
Syndicate Bank v. K. Umesh Nayak (1994) – Clarified "strike" and "lockout" under industrial law.
Hindustan Lever Ltd. v. Ashok Vishnu Kate (1995) – Laid down due process for disciplinary actions.

MV ACR

United India Insurance Co. v. Patricia Jean Mahajan (2002) – Defined limits of compensation in high-income cases.
Reshma Kumari v. Madan Mohan (2013) – Provided clear guidelines for multiplier method in compensation.
Minu B. Mehta v. Balkrishna (1977) – Emphasized proof of negligence for liability under the Act.
National Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Balakrishnan (2013) – Extended liability coverage to owners under private insurance.
Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Premlata Shukla (2007) – Reiterated that contributory negligence reduces compensation.
Satyabrata Ghose v. Mugneeram Bangur (1954) – Doctrine of frustration under Section 56 explained.
Taylor v. Caldwell (1863) – Foundation case of impossibility of performance.
State of Gujarat v. Memon Mahomed (1967) – Quasi-contractual obligations enforceable under unjust enrichment.
Central Inland Water Transport v. Brojo Nath (1986) – Unconscionable terms void under public policy.
Oil and Natural Gas Corp. v. Saw Pipes Ltd. (2003) – Liquidated damages valid if genuine pre-estimate of loss.
Bhagwandas Goverdhandas Kedia v. Girdharilal Parshottamdas (1966) – Contract concluded where acceptance is communicated.
Harvela Investments Ltd. v. Royal Trust Co. (1986) – Invitation to bid is not a binding offer.
State of Bihar v. Lalji Raja (1955) – Government contracts must comply with Article 299.
Union of India v. Maddala Thathiah (1964) – Breach of contract leads to damages, not specific performance.
Indian Oil Corporation v. Amritsar Gas Service (1991) – Termination in accordance with clause not wrongful.
Haji Mohd. Ishaq v. Mohd. Iqbal (1978) – Quantum meruit applicable when contract becomes void.

Man Kaur v. Hartar Singh Sangha (2010) – Plaintiff must prove capability to perform contractual obligations.
Adcon Electronics Pvt. Ltd. v. Daulat (2001) – Possession rights and specific performance distinguished.
Chand Rani v. Kamal Rani (1993) – Time is not essence in sale of immovable property unless expressly stated.
K.S. Vidyanadam v. Vairavan (1997) – Inordinate delay disentitles plaintiff from equitable relief.
J.P. Builders v. A. Ramadas Rao (2011) – Readiness and willingness are essential for decree of specific performance.

Vasanthi v. Venugopal (2017) – Mortgagee in possession must maintain property prudently.

Narandas Karsondas v. S.A. Kamtam (1977) – Sale incomplete until registration.
Lachhman Dass v. Jagat Ram (2007) – Gift must be accepted during donor’s lifetime.
K.K. Dewan v. State of Haryana (1995) – Transfer to defeat creditor’s rights is voidable.
Kancherla Lakshminarayana v. Mattaparthi Syamala (2008) – Doctrine of part performance protects transferee in possession.
Sita Ram v. Radha Bai (1968) – Transfer by ostensible owner valid if transferee acts in good faith.
Durga Prasad v. Deep Chand (1954) – Equitable ownership arises on part performance.
State of U.P. v. District Judge, Gorakhpur (1997) – Lease for indefinite period invalid under TPA.
K. Simrathmull v. Nanjalingiah Gowder (1963) – Lease must specify duration and rent.
Ram Gopal v. Nand Lal (1950) – Benami transaction void where intention to defraud creditors.

Kumar Exports v. Sharma Carpets (2009) – Rebuttal must be probable, not merely plausible.
John K. Abraham v. Simon C. Abraham (2014) – Complainant must prove existence of debt or liability.
Bir Singh v. Mukesh Kumar (2019) – Once signature admitted, presumption of liability arises.
C.C. Alavi Haji v. Palapetty Muhammed (2007) – Notice deemed served if sent to correct address.
M.S.R. Leathers v. S. Palaniappan (2013) – Fresh cause of action arises on re-presentation of cheque.
R.L. Varma & Sons v. P.C. Sharma (2002) – Company directors liable if involved in conduct of business.
Ajit Pawar v. State of Maharashtra (2014) – Section 141 applies only if person responsible for conduct of company’s affairs.
S.M.S. Pharmaceuticals Ltd. v. Neeta Bhalla (2005) – Complaint must specifically allege role of accused director.
K. Subramani v. K. Damodara Naidu (2015) – Failure to prove legally enforceable debt defeats complaint.
N. Parameswaran Unni v. G. Kannan (2017) – Limitation begins from date of cause of action, not cheque issuance.

V.N. Shrikhande v. Anita Sena Fernandes (2011) – Reaffirmed medical negligence principles under tort law.
Indian Medical Association v. V.P. Shantha (1995) – Brought medical professionals under the Consumer Protection Act.
Municipal Corporation of Delhi v. Subhagwanti (1966) – Held the MCD liable for negligence after a clock tower collapse.
Jay Laxmi Salt Works v. State of Gujarat (1994) – Expanded scope of government liability in torts.
Rajkot Municipal Corporation v. Manjulben Jayantilal Nakum (1997) – Held municipal authorities liable for negligence causing death.

Azadi Bachao Andolan v. Union of India (2003) – Upheld validity of Double Tax Avoidance Agreements (DTAA).
CIT v. Vatika Township Pvt. Ltd. (2014) – Clarified retrospective taxation principles.
Larsen & Toubro Ltd. v. State of Karnataka (2014) – Explained tax on works contracts under VAT.
CIT v. Reliance Petroproducts Pvt. Ltd. (2010) – Clarified that mere claim of deduction is not concealment of income.
CIT v. Vegetable Products Ltd. (1973) – Established that ambiguity in tax laws should favor the assessee.

Air India v. Nergesh Meerza (1981) – Challenged discriminatory employment conditions against air hostesses.
Telco Convoy Drivers Mazdoor Sangh v. State of Bihar (1989) – Clarified test of employer-employee relationship.
Indian Iron & Steel Co. v. Their Workmen (1958) – Defined "misconduct" and justified dismissal in certain cases.
Grindlays Bank Ltd. v. Central Government Industrial Tribunal (1980) – Permitted tribunals to review ex-parte awards.
Tata Iron & Steel Co. v. Their Workmen (1972) – Balanced rights of workers and management in disciplinary proceedings.

National Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Swaran Singh (2004) – Clarified insurer liability even if driver lacks valid license.
Sarla Verma v. Delhi Transport Corporation (2009) – Standardized compensation calculation in motor accident cases.
N.K.V. Bros. (P) Ltd. v. M. Karumai Ammal (1980) – Highlighted the need for a liberal interpretation in accident claims.
Rajesh v. Rajbir Singh (2013) – Enhanced compensation for loss of consortium and love.
Bimla Devi v. Himachal Road Transport Corporation (2009) – Recognized presumption of negligence in hit-and-run cases.