List of Case Laws of Indian Contract Act 1872

The Indian Contract Act of 1872 is a crucial piece of legislation that governs the terms and conditions of any legal contract in India. It lays the foundation for all business transactions and agreements in the country. As a professional, I’ve compiled a list of the most important case laws of the Indian Contract Act of 1872 that every business owner, entrepreneur, and legal professional must know.

1. Balfour v. Balfour: This landmark case established the concept of social agreements, which are not enforceable by law. The case involved a husband who promised to provide financial support to his wife while he was away, but the court ruled that such agreements were not legally binding.

2. Carlill v. Carbolic Smoke Ball Co.: This case established the principle of unilateral contracts, wherein one party makes an offer that the other party accepts by performing an action. The case involved a company that promised to pay a sum of money to anyone who used its smoke ball and still contracted influenza.

3. M.C. Chacko v. State Bank of Travancore: This case established the importance of good faith in contracts and the duty of parties to disclose any material information that could affect the terms of the agreement. The case involved a bank that failed to inform a borrower of certain conditions associated with the loan, resulting in a financial loss.

4. Central Inland Water Transport Corporation v. Brojo Nath Ganguly: This case established the doctrine of unconscionability, which prohibits parties from using their bargaining power to enter into a contract that unfairly benefits one party over the other. The case involved an employment contract that was grossly unfair to the employee.

5. Kedar Nath v. Gorie Mohammed: This case established the principle of frustration of contract, wherein the performance of a contract becomes impossible due to unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of the parties. The case involved a landlord-tenant agreement, which became impossible to perform due to a government order.

These are just a few of the most important case laws of the Indian Contract Act of 1872. It’s crucial to stay informed about these laws to ensure that your business contracts are legally binding and enforceable. As a professional, I strongly recommend that all business owners and legal professionals keep themselves updated with the latest case laws and amendments to the Act to avoid any legal complications in the future.