Section 35 Surname Defence: Bombay High Court Allows Companies to Use Family Names

Bombay High Court rules that companies can also invoke the “surname defence” under Section 35 of the Trade Marks Act if the use of the family name is bona fide and linked to genuine business lineage.

Pre-Institution Mediation Cases: Less Than 2% Resolved, Rajya Sabha Told

Less than 2% of pre-institution mediation cases under the Commercial Courts Act have resulted in settlement since 2018, government data placed before the Rajya Sabha reveals.

Court Fee Not Meant to Be a Penalty on Litigants: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court held that court fees are not meant to operate as a penalty on litigants and should not deter access to justice. Granting relief to RI Networks Pvt. Ltd., the Court ordered a refund of ₹8.7 lakh in court fees after its suit was rejected at the threshold without adjudication on merits and the litigant was relegated to the appropriate forum, TDSAT.

Non-Citizens Cannot Be Terminated Solely on Grounds of Nationality: Madras High Court Grants Relief to Sri Lankan Refugee

The Madras High Court ruled that non-citizens, including registered Sri Lankan Tamil refugees, are entitled to protection under Article 14 against arbitrary State action. Quashing SBI’s termination of a refugee employee, the Court held that nationality alone cannot justify removal from service when the appointment was lawful and non-fraudulent.