completed assignment -mb0051 (1) and 2

39
7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2 http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 1/39

Upload: raghu2edu

Post on 03-Apr-2018

215 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 1/39

Page 2: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 2/39

 

Page 3: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 3/39

Q1. Discuss the nature and significance of business law? 

Ans:- The term law ‟ is used in many senses: you may speak of the

law of physics, mathematics, science, or the laws of the football or

health. In its widest sense, law ‟ means any rule of conduct, standard or

pattern, to which actions are required to conform; if not conformed,

sanctions are imposed. When we speak of the law of a State, we use the

term law ‟ in a special and strict sense

Significance of law

1. Law is a body of rules:- These rules prescribe the conduct,

standard or pattern to which actions of the persons in the state are

required to conform. However, all rules of conduct do not 

become law in the strict sense. We resort to various kinds of rules

to guide our lives. For example, our conduct may be guided by a 

rule such as “do not be arrogant” or “do not be disrespectful to

elders or women”. These are ethical or moral rules by which our

daily lives are guided. If we do not follow them, we may lose our

friends and their respect, but no legal action can be taken against 

us.

2. Law is for the guidance or conduct of persons :– both human and

artificial. The law is not made just for the sake of making it. The

rules embodied in the law are made, so as to ensure that actions

of the persons in the society conform to some predetermined

standard or pattern. This is necessary so as to ensure continuance

of the society. No doubt, if citizens are self -enlightened‟ or self -

controlled‟, disputes may be minimized, but will not beeliminated. Rules are, therefore, drawn up to ensure that 

members of the society may live and work together in an orderly 

manner. Therefore, if the rules embodied in the law are broken,

is used to enforce obedience, and certain consequences ensue.

3. Law is imposed :- Law is imposed on the members to bring about 

an order in the group, enabling it to continue and prosper. It isnot something which may or may not be obeyed at the sweet will

Page 4: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 4/39

of the members of society. If you cannot impose a rule it is better

not to have it. Thus, law is made obligatory on the members of 

the society.

4. Law is enforced by the executive :- Obviously, unless a law is

enforced it ceases to be a law and those persons subject to it will

regard it as dead. For example, if A steals B‟s bicycle, he may be

prosecuted by a court and may be punished. Also, the court may 

order the restitution of the bicycle to its rightful owner i.e., B. If 

the government passes many laws but does not attempt to enforce

them, the citizens lose their respect for government and law, andsociety is greatly weakened. The force used is known as sanction

 which the state administers to secure obedience to its laws.

5. The state :- A state is a territorial division, with people therein

subject to a uniform system of law administered by some

authority of the state. Thus, law presupposes a state.

6. Content of law :- The law is a living thing and changes throughout 

the course of history. Law responds to public opinion and

changes accordingly. Law can never be static. Therefore,

amendments are made in different laws from time to time. For

example, the Monopolistic and Restrictive Trade Practices Act,

1969, has been subjected to many amendments since its

inception in 1969.

7. Two basic ideas involved in law :- The two basic ideas involved in

any law are: (i) to maintain some form of social order in a group

and (ii) to compel members of the group to be within that order.

These basic ideas underlie formulation of any rules for the

members of a group. A group is created because first, there is a 

social instinct in the people to live together and secondly, it helps

them in self-preservation. Rules are made by the members of the

group, so that the group doesn‟t whither away.

Page 5: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 5/39

8. Law is made to serve some purpose which may be social,

economic or political :- Some examples of law ‟ in the widest 

sense of the term. Law ‟ in its widest sense may include:

(i)  Moral rules or etiquettes, the non-observance of which may 

lead to public ridicule,

(ii)  Law of the Land the non-observance of which may lead to

arrest, imprisonment, fines, etc.,

(iii)  Rules of international law, the non-observance of which

may lead to social boycott, trade-sanctions, cold war, hot 

 war, proxy war, etc. 

Page 6: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 6/39

Q2. Define contract of indemnity. Describe the rights of

the indemnifier and the indemnity holder.

Ans:-- Meaning of indemnity

Secs.124 and 125 provide for a contract of indemnity. Sec.124 provides

that a contract of indemnity is a contract whereby one party promises to

save the other from loss caused to him (the promisee) by the conduct 

of the promisor himself or by the conduct of any other person. A 

contract of insurance is a glaring example of such type of contracts. A 

contract of indemnity may arise either by (i) an express promise or (ii)

operation of law, e.g., the duty of a principal to indemnify an agent 

from consequences of all lawful acts done by him as an agent.

The contract of indemnity, like any other contract, must have all the

essentials of a valid contract. These are two parties in a contraction of 

identity indemnifier and indemnified. The indemnifier promises to

make good the loss of the indemnified (i.e., the promisee).

Example: A contracts to indemnify B against the consequences of any 

proceeding which C may take against B in respect of a certain sum of 

Rs 200. This is a contract of indemnity.

Rights of the indemnified (i.e., the indemnity holder)

He is entitled to recover from the promisor: (i) All damages which he

may be compelled to pay in any suit in respect of any matter to which

the promise to indemnify applies; (ii) All costs of suit which he may 

have to pay to such third party, provided in bringing or defending the

suit (a) he acted under the authority of the indemnifier or (b) if he did

not act in contravention of orders of the indemnifier and in such a way 

as a prudent man would act in his own case; (iii) All sums which may 

have been paid under the terms of any compromise of any such suit, if 

Page 7: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 7/39

the compromise was not contrary to the orders of the indemnifier and

 was one which it would have been prudent for the promisee to make.

Rights of the indemnifier

The Act makes no mention of the rights of indemnifier. However, his

rights, in such cases, are similar to the rights of a surety under Sec.141,

 viz., he becomes entitled to the benefit of all the securities which the

creditor has against the principal debtor whether he was aware of them

or not.

Page 8: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 8/39

Q3. What is Partnership? Briefly state special features of

a partnership on the basis of which its existence can be

determined under the Indian Partnership Act?

Ans:-- Partnership is defined as “the relationship between persons

 who have agreed to share profits of a business carried on by all, or by 

any of them acting for all”. On analysis of the definition, certain

essential elements of partnership emerge. These elements must be

present so as to form a partnership and are discussed below. 

1. Partnership is an association of two or more than two persons:-There must be at least two persons who should join together to

constitute a partnership, because one person cannot become a partner

 with himself. These persons must be natural persons having legal

capacity to contract. Thus, a company (which is an artificial person)

cannot be a partner. Similarly, a partnership firm cannot be a partner

of another partnership firm. As regards maximum number of partners

in a partnership firm, Sec.11 of the Companies Act, 1956, puts the

limit at 10 in case of banking business and 20 in case of any other

business.

2. Partnership must be the result of an agreement between two or more

persons:- An agreement presupposes a minimum number of two

persons. As mentioned above, a partnership to arise, at least two

persons must make an agreement. Partnership is the result of an

agreement between two or more persons (who are known as partners

after the partnership comes into existence).

3. The agreement must be to carry on some business:- The term

business‟ includes every trade, occupation or profession [Sec.2(b)].

Though the word business‟ generally conveys the idea of numerous

transactions, a person may become a partner with another even in a 

particular adventure or undertaking (Sec.8). Unless the person joins for

the purpose of carrying on a business, it will not amount to partnership.

Page 9: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 9/39

4. The agreement must be to share profits of the business:- The joint 

carrying on of a business alone is not enough; there must be an

agreement to share profits arising from the business. Unless otherwise

so agreed, sharing of profits also involves sharing of losses. But whereas

the sharing of profits is an essential element of partnership, sharing of losses is not.

Example: A, a trader, owed money to several creditors. He agreed to

pay his creditors out of the profits of his business (run under the

creditors‟ supervision) what he owed to them. Held, the arrangement 

did not make creditors partners with A in business [Cox v. Hickman,

(1860) 8 H.L.C., 268].

Formation of partnerships

 All the essential elements of a valid contract must be present in a 

partnership as it is based on an agreement. Therefore, while

constituting a partnership. The following points must be kept in mind:

1. The Act provides that a minor may be admitted to be benefits of 

partnership.

2. No consideration is required to create partnership. A partnership

is an extension of agency for which no consideration is necessary.

3. The partnership agreement may be express (i.e., oral or writing)

or implied and the latter may be inferred from the conduct or the

course of dealings of the parties or from the circumstances of the

case. However, it is always advisable to have the partnership

agreement in writing.

4.  An alien friend can enter into partnership, an alien enemy 

cannot.5.  A person of unsound mind is not competent to enter into a 

partnership.

6.  A company, incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956 can

enter into a contract of partnership.

Duration of partnership

The duration of partnership may or may not be fixed. It may beconstituted even for a particular adventure.

Page 10: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 10/39

Partnership at will

In accordance with Sec.7, a partnership is called a partnership at will

 where;

(i)  it is not constituted for a fixed period of time and(ii)  there is no provision made as to the determination of 

partnership in any other way.

Therefore such a partnership has no fixed or definite date of 

termination. Accordingly death or retirement of a partner does not 

affect the continuance of such a partnership.

Particular partnership

In accordance with Sec.8 a particular partnership is one which is

formed for a particular adventure or a particular undertaking. Such a 

partnership is usually dissolved on the completion of the adventure or

undertaking.

Limited partnership

In this type of partnership, the liability of certain partners is limited to

the amount of capital which they have agreed to contribute to thebusiness. In a limited partnership, there will be at least one general

partner whose liability is unlimited and one or more special partners

 whose liability is limited.

Page 11: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 11/39

Q4. What remedies are available to a seller for breach

of contract of sale?

Ans:-- Remedies for Breach of a ContractIn addition to the rights of a seller against goods provided in Secs.47 to

54, the seller has the following remedies against the buyer personally.

(i) suit for price (Sec.55); (ii) damages for non-acceptance of goods

(Sec.56); (iii) suit for interest (Sec.56).

1 Suit for price (Sec.55)

 Where under a contract of sale the property in the goods has passed tothe buyer and the buyer wrongfully neglects or refuses to pay the price,

the seller can sue the buyer for the price of the goods. Where the

property in goods has not passed to the buyer, as a rule, the seller

cannot file a suit for the price; his only remedy is to claim damages.

Example: A sold certain goods to B for Rs 5,000 and the price was

agreed to be paid before the expiry of ten days of the contract. B fails

to pay the price within the stipulated time. A can file a suit for priceagainst B even though the goods have not been delivered or the

property in goods has not been passed to B.

2 Suit for damages for non-acceptance (Sec.56)

 Where the buyer wrongfully neglects or refuses to accept and pay for

the goods, the seller may sue him for damages for non-acceptance.

 Where the property in the goods has not passed to the buyer and theprice was not payable without passing of property, the seller can only 

sue for damages and not for the price. The amount of damages is to be

determined in accordance with the provisions laid down in Sec.73 of 

the Indian Contract Act, 1872. Thus, where there is an available

market for the goods prima facie, the difference between the market 

price and the contract price can be recovered.

Page 12: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 12/39

3 Suit for interest (Sec.61)

 When under a contract of sale, the seller tenders the goods to the

buyer and the buyer wrongfully refuses or neglects to accept and pay 

the price, the seller has a further right to claim interest on the amount  of the price. In the absence of a contract to the contrary, the court may 

award interest at such rate as it thinks fit on the amount of the price.

The interest may be calculated from the date of the tender of the goods

or from the date on which the price was payable. It is obvious that the

unpaid seller can claim interest only when he can recover the price, i.e.,

if the seller‟s remedy is to claim damages only, then he cannot claim

interest.

4 Buyer‟s remedies against seller 

The buyer has the following rights against the seller for breach of 

contract:

(i)  damages for non-delivery (Sec.57);

(ii)  right of recovery of the price;

(iii)  specific performance (Sec.58);

(iv)  suit for breach of condition;(v)  suit for breach of warranty (Sec.59);

(vi)  (anticipatory breach (Sec.60);

(vii)  recovery of interest (Sec.61).

Page 13: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 13/39

Q5. Examine the rights of a consumer enshrined under

the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.

 Ans:-- Rights of ConsumersFor the first time in the history of consumer legislation in India, the

Consumer Protection Act, 1986 extended a statutory recognition to the

rights of consumers. Sec.6 of the Act recognizes the following six rights

of consumers:

1. Right to safety, i.e., the right to be protected against the marketing 

of goods and services which are hazardous to life and property.

2. Right to be informed, i.e., the right to be informed about the

quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods or

services, as the case may be, so as to protect the consumer against 

unfair trade practices.

3. Right to choose: It means right to be assured, wherever possible,

access to a variety of goods and services at competitive prices. Incase of monopolies, say, railways, telephones, etc., it means right to be assured of 

satisfactory quality and service at a fair price.

4. Right to be heard, i.e., the consumers‟ interests will receive due

consideration at appropriate forums. It also includes right to be

represented in various forums formed to consider the

consumers‟ welfare.

5. Right to seek redressal: It means the right to seek redressal

against unfair practices or restrictive trade practices or

unscrupulous exploitation of consumers. It also includes right to

fair settlement of the genuine grievances of the consumers.

6. Right to consumer education: It means the right to acquire the

knowledge and skill to be an informed consumer.

Page 14: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 14/39

Q6. Write short notes on the following:

a. Copy right

b.  License

Ans:-- a. Meaning of copyright (Sec.14)

The term copyright ‟ means the exclusive right, by virtue of, and

subject to the provision of the Act:

(a) in the case of literary, dramatic or musical work, not being a computer programme – (i) to reproduce the work in any material

form including the storing of it in any medium by electronic

means; (ii) to issue copies of thework to the public not being 

copies already in circulation; (iii) to perform the work in public,

or communicate it to the public; (iv) to make any cinematograph

film or sound recording in respect of the work; (v) to make any 

translation of the work; (vi) to make any adaptation of the work;

(vii) to do, in relation to a translation or an adaptation of the work, any of the acts specified in relation to the work in (i) to (vi);

(b)  in the case of computer programme – (i) to do any of the acts

specified in clause (a) above; (ii) to sell or give on hire, or offer

for sale or hire any copy of the computer programme, regardless

of whether such copy has been sold or given on hire on earlier

occasions;

(c) in the case of an artistic work – (i) to reproduce the work in any 

material form including depiction in three dimensions of a two – 

dimensional work or in two dimensions of a three – dimensional

 work; (ii) to communicate the work to the public; (iii) to issue

copies of the work to the public not being copies already in

circulation; (iv) to include the work in any cinematograph film; (v)

to make any adaptation of the work; (vi) to do in relation to an

Page 15: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 15/39

adaptation of the work any of the acts specified in relation to the

 work in (i) to (iv) above;

(d) in the case of a cinematograph film – (i) to make a copy of thefilm, including a photograph of any image forming part thereof;

(ii) to sell or give on hire; or offer for sale or hire, any copy of the

film, regardless of whether such copy has been sold or given on

hire on earlier occasions; (iii) to communicate the film to the

public.

(e) In the case of a sound recording – (i) to make any other sound

recording embodying it; (ii) to sell or give on hire, or offer for

sale or hire, any copy of the sound recording regardless of 

 whether such copy has been sold or given on hire on earlier

occasions; (iii) to communicate the sound recording to the public.

b. License

Licence by owners of copyright

Sec.30 provides that the owner of the copyright in any existing work 

or the prospective owner of the copyright in any future work may 

grant any interest in the right by licence in writing signed by him or

by his duly authorised agent. But in the case of a licence relating to

copyright in any future work, the licence shall take effect only when

the work comes into existence.

Compulsory licence in works withheld from public

Sec.31 provides that at any time during the term of copyright in any 

Indian work which has been published or performed in public a 

complaint may be made to the Copyright Board that the owner of 

copyright in the work 

Page 16: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 16/39

(a) has refused to re-publish or allow the republication of the work 

or has refused to allow the performance in public of the work 

and by reason of such refusal the work is withheld from the

public; or

(b) has refused to allow communication to the public by broadcast of such work or in the case of a sound recording the work recorded

in such sound recording, on terms which the complainant 

considers reasonable.

Compulsory Licence in unpublished Indian works (Sec.31A)

 Where in the case of an Indian work, the author is dead or

unknown or cannot be traced or the owner of the copyright in such work cannot be found, any person may apply to the Copyright 

Board for a licence to publish such work or translation thereof in

any language. Before making an application, the applicant shall

publish his proposal in one issue of a daily newspaper in the English

language having circulation in the major part of the country and

 where the application is for the publication of a translation in

Page 17: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 17/39

 

Page 18: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 18/39

Q 1. “All agreement are not contracts but all contacts are

agreements”. Comment.

 Ans:-- A contract is a legally binding agreement or relationship that 

exists between two or more parties to do or abstain from performing 

certain acts. A contract can also be defined as a legally binding 

exchange of promises between two or more parties that the law will

enforce. For a contract to be formed an offer made must backed

acceptance of which there must be consideration. Both parties involved

must intend to create legal relation on a lawful matter which must be

entered into freely and should be possible to perform. An agreement is

a form of cross reference between different parties, which may be

 written, oral and lies upon the honor of the parties for its fulfillment 

rather than being in any way enforceable. All contracts are agreement 

because there must be mutual understanding between two parties for a 

contract to be formed. All parties should agree and adhere to the terms

and conditions of an offer. The following cases illustrate ways in which

all contracts are agreements; In the case of invitation to treat, where aninvitation to treat is merely an invitation to make an offer. When a 

firm's offer is accepted it results into a contract provided other elements

of contracts are accepted. Considering person A buying a radio on hire

purchase from person B who deals with electronics and its appliances.

Both parties must come to an agreement on payment of monthly 

installment within specified period of time. Such an agreement result to

specialty contract which a contract under seal. All contracts areagreement until avoided for example, avoidable contract where one of 

the parties can withdraw from it if s/he wishes. This occurs due to

minor agreement and misrepresentation or undue influence.

Considering a case where person A make contract with person B but 

during the contract period B realizes that he was engaged to perform an

agreement under undue influence.

Page 19: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 19/39

Definition of contract According to section 2(h) of the Indian Contract 

 Act: “An agreement enforceable by law is a contract." A contract 

therefore, is an agreement the object of which is to create a legal

obligation i.e., a duty enforceable by law. From the above definition, wefind that a contract essentially consists of two elements: 

(1) An agreement and

(2) Legal obligation 

i.e., a duty enforceable by law. We shall now examine these elements

detail.

1. Agreement 

 As per section 2 (e): " Every promise and every set of promises,

forming the consideration for each other, is an agreement." Thus it is

clear from this definition that a 'promise' is an agreement. What is a 

'promise'? The answer to this question is contained in section 2 (b)

 which defines the term." When the person to whom the proposal is

made signifies his assent there to the proposal is said to be accepted. A 

proposal, when accepted, becomes a promise." 

 An agreement, therefore, comes into existence only when one party 

makes a proposal or offer to the other party and that other party 

signifies his assent (i.e., gives his acceptance) thereto.

In short, an agreement is the sum total of 'offer' and 'acceptance'.

On analyzing the above definition the following characteristics of an

agreement become evident:

(a) At least two persons. There must be two or more persons to make

an agreement because one person cannot inter into an agreement withhimself.

(b) Consensus-ad-idem. Both the parties to an agreement must agree

about the subject matter of the agreement in the same sense and at the

same time.

Page 20: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 20/39

2. Legal obligation.

 As stated above, an agreement to become a contract must give rise to a 

legal obligation i.e., a duty enforceable by law. If an agreement is

incapable of creating a duty enforceable by law. It is not a contract.Thus an agreement is a wider term than a contract.

"All contracts are agreements but all agreements are not contracts,"

 Agreements of moral, religious or social nature e.g., a promise to lunch

together at a friend's house or to take a walk together are not contracts

because they are not likely to create a duty enforceable by law for the

simple reason that the parties never intended that they should beattended by legal consequences

Essential Elements of a Valid Contract

 A contract has been defined in section 2(h) as "an agreement 

enforceable by law." To be enforceable by law, an agreement must 

possess the essential elements of a valid contract as contained in

sections 10, 29 and 56. According to section 10, all agreements arecontracts if they are made by the free consent of the parties, competent 

to contract, for a lawful consideration, with a lawful object, are not 

expressly declared by the Act to be void, and where necessary, satisfy 

the requirements of any law as to writing or attention or registration. As

the details of these essentials form the subject matter of our subsequent 

chapters, we propose to discuss them in brief here.

The essential elements of a valid contract are as follows.

1. Offer and acceptance. There must a 'lawful offer' and a 'lawful

acceptance' of the offer, thus resulting in an agreement. The

adjective 'lawful' implies that the offer and acceptance must satisfy 

the requirements of the contract act in relation thereto.

2.  Intention to create legal relations. There must be an intention

among the parties that the agreement should be attached by legalconsequences and create legal obligations.

Page 21: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 21/39

 

 Agreements of a social or domestic nature do not contemplate legal

relations, and as such they do not give rise to a contract. An agreement 

to dine at a friend's house in not an agreement intended to create legalrelations and therefore is not a contract. Agreements between husband

and wife also lack the intention to create legal relationship and thus do

not result in contracts. Try to work out the solution in the following 

cases and then go to the answer.

3. Lawful consideration. The third essential element of a valid

contract is the presence of 'consideration'. Consideration has

been defined as the price paid by one party for the promise of theother. An agreement is legally enforceable only when each of the

parties to it gives something and gets something. The something 

given or obtained is the price for the promise and is called

'consideration' subject to certain exceptions; gratuitous promises

are not enforceable at law. The 'consideration' may be an act 

(doing something) or forbearance (not doing something) or a 

promise to do or not to do something. It may be past, present or

future. But only those considerations are valid which are 'lawful'.The consideration is 'lawful'. unless it is forbidden by law; or is of 

such a nature that, if permitted it would defeat The provisions of 

any law; or is fraudulent; or involves or implies injury to the

person or property of another; or is immoral; or is opposed to

public policy (sec.23).

4. Capacity of parties. The parties to an agreement must be

competent to contract. But the question that arises now is that  what parties are competent and what are not. The contracting 

parties must be of the age of majority and of sound mind and

must not be disqualified by any law to which they are subject 

(sec.11). If any of the parties to the agreement suffers from

minority, lunacy, idiocy, drunkenness etc. The agreement is not 

enforceable at law, except in some special cases e.g., in the case of 

necessaries supplied to a minor or lunatic, the supplier of goods

is entitled to be reimbursed from their estate (sec 68).

Page 22: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 22/39

5.  Free consent. Free consent of all the parties to an agreement is

another essential element. This concept has two aspects. (1)

Consent should be made and (2) it should be free of any pressure

or misunderstanding. 'Consent' means that the parties must have

agreed upon the same thing in the same sense (sec. 13). There isabsence of 'free consent,' if the agreement is induced by 

(i)coercion, (ii) undue influence, (iii) fraud, (iv) mis-

representation, or (v) mistake (sec. 14). If the agreement is

 vitiated by any of the first four factors, the contract would be

 voidable and cannot be enforced by the party guilty of coercion,

undue influence etc. The other party (i.e., the aggrieved party)

can either reject the contract or accept it, subject to the rules laid

down in the act. If the agreement is induced by mutual mistake which is material to the agreement, it would be void (sec. 20)

6. Lawful object. For the formation of a valid contract it is also

necessary that the parties to an agreement must agree for a lawful

object. The object for which the agreement has been entered into

must not be fraudulent or illegal or immoral or opposed to public

policy or must not imply injury to the person or the other of the

reasons mentioned above the agreement is void. Thus, when a landlord knowingly lets a house to a prostitute to carry on

prostitution, he cannot recover the rent through a court of law or

a contract for committing a murder is a void contract and

unenforceable by law.

7. Writing and registration. According to the Indian contract Act, a 

contract to be valid, must be in writing and registered. For

example, it requires that an agreement to pay a time barred debt must be in writing and an agreement to make a gift for natural

love and affection must be in writing and registered to make the

agreement enforceable by law which must be observed.

8. Certainty. Section 29 of the contract Act provides that 

“Agreements, the meaning of which is not certain or capable of 

being made certain, are void." In order to give rise to a valid

contract the terms of the agreement must not be vague or

Page 23: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 23/39

uncertain. It must be possible to ascertain the meaning of the

agreement, for otherwise, it cannot be enforced

Illustration. A, agrees to sell B " a hundred ton of oil" there is nothing 

 whatever to show what kind of oil was intended. The agreement is void for uncertainly.

9. Possibility of performance. Yet another essential feature of a valid

contract is that it must be capable of performance. Section 56 lays

down that "An agreement to do an act impossible in itself is void".

If the act is impossible in itself, physically or legally, the

agreement cannot be enforced at law.

Illustration.

 A agrees with B, to discover treasure by magic. The agreement is not 

enforceable.

10. Not expressly declared void. The agreement must not have been

expressly declared to be void under the Act. Sections 24-30

specify certain types of agreements that have been expressly 

declared to be void. For example, an agreement in restraint of marriage, an agreement in restraint of trade, and an agreement by 

 way of wager have been expressly declared void under sections

26, 27 and 30 respectively.

Page 24: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 24/39

Q2. What do you mean by bailment? What are the

requisites of a contract of bailment? Explain.

Ans:-- Definition of bailment (Sec.148)Bailment is defined as the “delivery of goods by one to another person

for some purpose, upon a contract that they shall, when the purpose is

accomplished, be returned or otherwise disposed of according to the

directions of person delivering them”. The person delivering the goods

is called the bailor‟ and the person to whom the goods are delivered is

called the bailee‟. The explanation to the above Section points out 

that delivery of possession is not necessary, where one person, already 

in possession of goods contracts to hold them as bailee.

The bailee is under an obligation to re-deliver the goods, in their

original or altered form, as soon as the time of use for, or condition on

 which they were bailed, has elapsed or been performed”. 

Let‟s illustrate,

(i)   A delivers some clothes to B, a dry cleaner, for dry cleaning.(ii)   A delivers a wrist watch to B for repairs.

(iii)   A lends his book to B for reading.

(iv)   A delivers a suit-length to a tailor for stitching.

(v)   A delivers some gold biscuits to B, a jeweller, for making 

 jewellery.

(vi)  Delivery of goods to a carrier for the purpose of carrying them

from one place to another.

(vii)  Delivery of goods as security for the repayment of loan andinterest thereon, i.e., pledge.

From the definition of bailment, the following characteristics should be

noted:

1. Delivery of goods. The essence of bailment is delivery of 

goods by one person to another for some temporary purpose.

Delivery of goods may, however, be actual or constructive.

 Actual delivery may be made by handing over goods to the

Page 25: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 25/39

bailee. Constructive delivery may be made by doing 

something which has the effect of putting the goods in the

possession of the intended bailee or any person authorised to

hold them on his behalf (Sec.149). 

Example: A holding goods on behalf of B, agrees to hold them on

behalf of C, there is a constructive transfer of possession from C to A.

2. Bailment is based on a contract. In bailment, the delivery of 

goods is upon a contract that when the purpose is

accomplished, they shall be returned to the bailor. For

example, where a watch is delivered to a watch repairer for

repair, it is agreed that it will be returned, after repair, on thereceipt of the agreed or reasonable charges.

3. Return of goods in specie. The goods are delivered for some

purpose and it is agreed that the specific goods shall be

returned. Return of specific goods (in specie) is an essential

characteristic of bailment. Thus, where an equivalent and not 

the same is agreed to be returned, there is no bailment.

4. Ownership of goods. In a bailment, it is only the possession of 

goods which is transferred and not the ownership thereof,

therefore the person delivering the possession of goods need

not be the owner; his business is to transfer possession and

not ownership.

Page 26: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 26/39

Q3. What do you mean by del credere agent?

Ans:-- A mercantile or commercial agent may assume any of the

following forms: broker, factor, commission agent, del credere agent,auctioneer, banker, Pakka and Katcha Adatias and indentor. A broker

is a mercantile agent engaged to buy and/or sell property or to make

bargains and contracts between the engager and third party for a 

commission (called brokerage). A broker has no possession of goods

or property. He is merely a connecting link between the engager and a 

third party. The usual method of dealing by a broker is to make entries

of the terms of contract in a book, called the memorandum book and

to sign them. He then sends the particulars of the same to both parties.The document sent to the seller is called the sold note and the one sent 

buyer is called the bought note. A factor is a mercantile agent who is

entrusted with the possession of goods with an authority to sell the

same. He can even sell the goods on credit and in his own name. He is

also authorised to raise money on their security. A factor has a general

lien on the goods in his possession. A factor, however, cannot barter

the goods, unless expressly authorised to do. Also, he cannot delegate

his authority.

 A commission agent is agent who is employed to buy or sell goods or

transact business. The remuneration that he gets for the purpose is

called the commission. A commission agent is not liable in case the

third party fails to carry out the agreed obligation. A commission agent 

may have possession of the goods or not. His lien in case of goods in

his possession is a particular lien. A del credere agent is one who, in

consideration of an extra remuneration, called a del crederecommission, guarantees the performance of the contract by the other

party. 

Page 27: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 27/39

Q4. What do you mean by Memorandum of

Association? What does it contain?

Ans:-- Memorandum of Association

Meaning and purpose

The Memorandum of Association of a company is its charter which

contains the fundamental conditions upon which alone the company 

cans be incorporated. It tells us the objects of the company‟s formation

and the utmost possible scope of its operations beyond which its

actions cannot go. Thus, it defines as well as confines the powers of the

company. If anything is done beyond these powers, that will be ultra  vires (beyond powers of) the company and so void. The memorandum

serves a two-fold purpose. It enables shareholders, creditors and all

those who deal with the company to know what its powers are and what 

is the range of its activities. Thus, the intending shareholder can find

out the field in, or the purpose for which his money is going to bused

by the company and what risk he is taking in making the investment.

 Also, any one dealing with the company, say, a supplier of goods or

money, will know whether the transaction he intends to make with thecompany is within the objects of the company and not ultra virus its

objects.

Form and contents Sec.14

Requires that the memorandum of a company shall be in such one of 

the Forms in Tables B, C,D and E in Schedule I to the Act, as may be

applicable in the case of the company, or in Forms as near thereto ascircumstances admit. Sec.15 requires the memorandum to be printed,

divided into paragraphs, numbered consecutively and signed by at least 

seven persons (two in the case of a private company) in the presence of 

at least one witness, who will attest the signature. Each of the members

must take at least one share and write opposite his name the number of 

shares he takes.Sec.13 requires the memorandum of a limited

company to contain:

(i)  the name of the company, with „limited‟ as the last word

of the name in the case of a public company and „private 

Page 28: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 28/39

limited‟ as the last words in the case of a private

company;

(ii)  The name of the State, in which the registered officer of 

the company is to be situated;

(iii)  The objects of the company, stating separately „Mainobjects‟ and „other objects‟; 

(iv)  The declaration that the liability of the members is

limited; and

(v)  The amount of the authorized share capital, divided into

shares of fixed amounts. These contents of the

memorandum are called compulsory clauses and are

explained below:

The name clause.

The promoters are free to choose any suitable name for the company 

provided:(a) the last word in the name of the company, if limited by 

shares or guarantee is „limited‟ unless the company is registered under

Sec.25 as an „association not for profit‟ [Sec.13(1) (a) & Sec.25].(b) In

the opinion of the Central Government, the name chosen is not 

undesirable [Sec.20(1)].

Too similar name.

In case of too similar names, the resemblance between the two names

must be such as to be calculated to deceive. A name shall be said to be

calculated to deceive where it suggests some connection or association

 with the existing company.

Publication of name (Sec.147).

Every company shall: (a) paint or affix its name and the address of its

registered office and keep the same painted or affixed, on the outside

of every office or place of business in a conspicuous position in letters

easily legible and in the language in general use in the locality 

Page 29: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 29/39

Alteration of memorandum

Provides that the company cannot alter the conditions contained in

memorandum except in the cases and in the mode and to the extent 

express provision has been made in the Act. These provisions areexplained herein below:

Change of name.

Provides that the name of a company may be changed at any time by 

passing a special resolution at a general meeting of the company and

 with the written approval of the Central Government. However, no

approval of the Central Government is necessary if the change of thename involves only the addition or deletion of the word „private‟ (i.e.,

 when public company is converted into a private company or vice

 versa).The change of name must be communicated to the Registrar of 

Companies within 30 days of the change. The Registrar shall then enter

the new name on the register in the place of the old name and shall

issue a fresh certificate of incorporation with necessary alterations

[Sec.23 (1)]. The change of name becomes effective on the issue of 

fresh certificate of incorporation.

Change of registered office.

The procedure depends on whether the change is within the

 jurisdiction of same registrar of companies (Sec.146) or whether the

shifting is to the jurisdiction of another registrar of companies in the

same state (Sec.146 and Sec.17A). This may include :

( a)Change of registered office from one premises to another premises

in the same city, town or village.

The company may do so anytime. Are solution passed by the Board of 

directors shall be sufficient. However, notice of the change should,

 within 30 days after the date of the change, be given to the Registrar

 who shall record the same (Sec.146).

(b)Change of registered office from one town or city or village to

another town or city

Page 30: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 30/39

or village in the same State (Sec.146). In this case, the procedure is:(i) a 

special resolution is required to be passed at a general meeting of the

shareholders;(ii) a copy of it is to be filed with the Registrar within 30

days.(iii) Within 30 days of the removal of the registered office, notice

of the new location has to be given to the Registrar who shall record thesame.

(c)Shifting of the registered office from one place to another within the

same state (Sec.17A):

The shifting of the registered office by a company from the jurisdiction

of one registrar of companies to the jurisdiction of another registrar of 

companies within the same state shall (in addition to requirements

under Sec.146) also require confirmation by the Regional Director. For

this purpose, an application is to be made in the prescribed Form andthe confirmation shall be communicated within four weeks. Such

confirmation is required to be filed within two months with the registrar

of companies who shall register and certify the same within one month.

Such certificate shall be conclusive evidence of the compliance of all

requirements under the Act.

Page 31: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 31/39

Q5. Name the instruments which are recognized as

negotiable instruments by the Negotiable Instruments

Act, 1881.

Ans:--  An Instrument ‟ as referred to in the Act is a legally recognised

 written document, whereby rights are created in favour of one and

obliga tions are created on the part of another. The word negotiable‟ 

means transferable from one person to another either by mere delivery 

or by endorsement and delivery, to enable the transferee to get a title in

the instrument. An instrument may possess the characteristics of 

negotiability either by statute or by usage. Promissory note, bill of 

exchange and cheque are negotiable instruments by statute as they are

so recognised by Sec.13. There are certain instruments which are

recognised as negotiable instruments by usage. Thus, bank notes, bank 

drafts, share warrants, bearer debentures, dividend warrants, scripts and

treasury bills are negotiable by usage. An instrument is called  

negotiable‟ if it possesses the following features:

1. Freely transferable. Transferability may be by (a) delivery, or (b)

by endorsement and delivery.

2. Holder‟s title free from defects. The term negotiability ‟ means

that not only is the instrument transferable by endorsement 

and/or delivery, but that its holder in due course acquires a good

title notwithstanding any defects in a previous holder‟s title. A 

holder in due course is one who receives the instrument for value

and without any notice as to the defect in the title of the

transferor.

3. The holder can sue in his own name. Another feature of a 

negotiable instrument is that its holder in due course can sue on

the instrument in his own name.

4.   A negotiable instrument can be transferred infinitum, i.e., can betransferred any number of times, till its maturity.

Page 32: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 32/39

 

5. A negotiable instrument is subject to certain presumptions. An

instrument, which does not have these characteristics, is not 

negotiable, but is assignable, i.e., the transferee takes it subject toall equities and liabilities of the transferor.

Promissory note

 A promissory note is an instrument in writing (not being a bank or a 

currency note) containing an unconditional undertaking, signed by the

maker to pay a certain sum of money to, or to the order of, a certain

person or to the bearer of the instrument (Sec.4). The following are

two illustrations of promissory notes.

 Where A signs instruments in the following terms:

(i)  “I promise to pay B or order Rs 500.”

(ii)  “I acknowledge myself to be indebted to B in Rs 1000, to be

paid on demand, for value received.”

But, the following are NOT promissory notes:

(i)  “Mr B, I.O.U. (I owe you) Rs 1000.”

(ii)  “I am liable to pay you Rs 500”.

(iii)  “I promise to pay B Rs 500 and all other sums which shall be

due to him.”

(iv)  “I promise to pay B Rs 500, first deducting there out any 

money which he may owe me.” 

(v)  “I promise to pay B Rs 1500 on D‟s death, provided he leaves

me enough to pay that sum.”

(vi)  “I promise to pay B Rs 500 seven day s after my marriage with

C.”

(vii)  “I promise to pay B Rs 500 and to deliver to him my white

Maruti Car 1 January next.” 

(viii)  Specimen of a promissory note

(ix)  Rs 10,000 New Delhi – 1100 01

(x)   Jan. 10, 2006

(xi)  On demand [or six months after date] I promise to pay X or

order the sum of rupees ten thousand with interest at 12 per

cent per annum only for value received.

Page 33: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 33/39

(xii)  To X Sd/-A 

(xiii)  Address ____________________________ Stamp

(xiv)  ____________________________

Parties to a promissory note

1. The maker – the person who makes the note promising to pay the

amount stated therein.

2. The payee – the person to whom the amount of the note is payable.

3. The holder – is either the original payee or any other person in

 whose favour the note has been endorsed.

4. The endorser – the person who endorses the note in favour of 

another person.5. The endorsee – the person in whose favour the note is negotiated by 

indorsement.

Bill of exchange

 A bill of exchange‟ is defined by Sec.5 as an instrument in writing,

containing an unconditional order, signed by the maker, directing a 

certain person to pay a certain sum of money only to or to the order of,a certain person, or to the bearer of the instrument ‟.

Specimen of a bill of exchange

Rs 10, 000

New Delhi – 110 016

 Jan. 13, 2006

Six months after date pay to A or order/bearer the sum of ten thousandrupees only for value received.

To X Sd/-Y 

 Address _______________________________ Stamp

_______________________________

Here Y is the drawer, A is the payee and X is the drawee. X will

express his willingness to pay accepting ‟ the bill by writing words

somewhat as below across the face of the bill: ACCEPTED

Page 34: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 34/39

Sd-X Jan. 16, 2006.

The specimen given above is of a usance bill, payable after a specified

period of time. A bill of exchange may be drawn payable at sight ‟, i.e.,

on demand or payable after certain time after sight ‟ also.

Parties to a bill of exchange

  The parties of bill of exchange are:

  The drawer: The person to whom the amount of the bill is

payable.

  The drawee: The person on whom the bill is drawn. Thus,

drawee is the person responsible for acceptance and payment of 

the bill. In certain cases however a stranger may accept the bill onbehalf of the drawee.

  The payee: The person to whom amount of the bill is payable. It 

may be the drawer himself or any other person.

  The holder: It is the original payee but where the bill has been

endorsed, the endorsee. In case of a bearer bill, the bearer or

possessor is the holder.

  The endorser: It is the person who endorses a bill.

  The endorsee: It is the person to whom the bill is negotiated by 

endorsement.

  Drawee in case of need.

   Acceptor for honour.

Cheques

 A cheque is the usual method of withdrawing money from a current account with a banker. Savings bank accounts are also permitted to be

operated by cheques provided certain minimum balance is maintained.

 A cheque, in essence, is an order by the customer of the bank directing 

his banker to pay on demand, the specified amount, to or to the order

of the person named therein or to the bearer. Sec.6 defines a cheque.

The Amendment Act 2002 has substituted new section for Sec.6. It 

provides that a cheque‟ is a bill of exchange drawn on a specified

banker and not expressed to be payable otherwise than on demand and

Page 35: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 35/39

it includes the electronic image of a truncated cheque and a cheque in

the electronic from.

A cheque in the electronic form‟ means a cheque which contains the

exact mirror image of a paper cheque, and is generated, written and

signed in a secure system ensuring the minimum safety standards with

the use of digital signature and asymmetric crypto system.

Specimen of a cheque 

Every bank has its own printed cheque forms which are supplied to the

account holders at the time of opening the account as well as

subsequently whenever needed. These forms are printed on special

security paper which is sensitive to chemicals and makes any chemical

alterations noticeable. Although, legally, a customer may withdraw hismoney even by writing his directions to the banker on a plain paper but 

in practice bankers honour only those orders which are issued on the

printed forms of cheques.

Page 36: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 36/39

Requisites of a cheque

The requisites of a cheques are:

1. Written instrument. A cheque must be an instrument in writing.Regarding the writing materials to be used, law does not lay down

any restrictions and therefore cheque may be written either with

(a) pen (b) type writer or may be (c) printed.

2. Unconditional order. A cheque must contain an unconditional

order. It is, however, not necessary that the word order or its

equivalent must be used to make the document a cheque.,

Generally, the order to bank is expressed by the word “pay”. If the word “please” precedes “pay” the document will not be

regarded as invalid merely on this account.

3. On a specified banker only. A cheque must be drawn on a 

specified banker. To avoid any mistake, the name and address of 

the banker should be specified.

4. A certain sum of money. The order must be only for the

payment of money and that too must be specified. Thus, orders

asking the banker to deliver securities or certain other things

cannot be regarded as cheques. Similarly, an order asking the

banker to pay a specified amount with interest, the rate of interest 

not specified, is not a cheque as the sum payable is not certain.

5. Payee to be certain. A cheque to be valid must be payable to a 

certain person. Person‟ should not be understood in a limited

sense including only human beings. The term in fact includes

legal persons‟ also. Thus, instruments drawn in favour of a body 

corporate, local authorities, clubs, institutions, etc., are valid

instruments being payable to legal persons.

Page 37: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 37/39

6. Payable on demand. A cheque to be valid must be payable on

demand and not otherwise. Use of the words on demand‟ or

their equivalent is not necessary. When the drawer asks the

banker to pay and does not specify the time for its payment, the

instrument is payable on demand (Sec.19).

7. Dating of cheques. The drawer of a cheque is expected to date it 

before it leaves his hands. A cheque without a date is considered

incomplete and is returned unpaid by the banks. The drawer can

date a cheque with the date earlier or later than the date on which

it is drawn. A cheque bearing an earlier date is antedated and the

one bearing the later date is called post-dated. A post-datedcheque cannot be honoured, except at the personal risk of the

bank ‟s manager, till the date mentioned. A post-dated cheque is

as much negotiable as a cheque for which payment is due, i.e.,

the transferee of a post-dated cheque, like that of the cheque on

 which payment is due, acquires a better title than its transferor, if 

he is a holder in due course. A cheque that bears a date earlier

than six months is a stale cheque and cannot be claimed for.

Page 38: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 38/39

Question 6: Write short note on :

A-Digital Signature

B-Information Technology Act

Ans:-- A-Digital Signature

Authentication of electronic records. Authentication is a process used

to confirm the identity of a person or to prove the integrity of 

information. The authentication of message involves determining its

source and verifying that it has not been modified or replaced in transit.Subject to the provisions of section 3 any subscriber may authenticate

an electronic record by affixing his digital signature.

The “hash function” means an algorithm mapping or translation of one

sequence of bits into another, generally smaller set known as “hash

result” such that an electronic record yields the same hash result every 

time the algorithm is executed with the same electronic record as its

input making it computationally infeasible

(a) to derive or reconstruct the original electronic record from the hash

result produced by the algorithm;

(b) that two electronic records can produce the same hash result using 

the algorithm.

B-Information Technology Act

In May 2000, at the height of the dot-com boom, India enacted the IT

 Act and became part of a select group of countries to have put in place

cyber laws. In all these years, despite the growing crime rate in the

cyber world, only less than 25 cases have been registered under the IT

 Act 2000 and no final verdict has been passed in any of these cases as

they are now pending with various courts in the country.

Page 39: Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

7/28/2019 Completed Assignment -MB0051 (1) and 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/completed-assignment-mb0051-1-and-2 39/39

 Although the law came into operation on October 17, 2000, it still has

an element of mystery around it. Not only from the perception of the

common man, but also from the perception of lawyers, law enforcing 

agencies and even the judiciary.

The prime reason for this is the fact that the IT Act is a set of technical

laws. Another major hurdle is the reluctance on the part of companies

to report the instances of cyber-crimes, as they don't want to get 

negative publicity or worse get entangled in legal proceedings. A major

hurdle in cracking down on the perpetrators of cyber-crimes such as

hacking is the fact that most of them are not in India. The IT Act does

give extra-territorial jurisdiction to law enforcement agencies, but such

powers are largely inefficient. This is because India does not havereciprocity and extradition treaties with a large number of countries.

The Indian IT Act also needs to evolve with the rapidly changing 

technology environment that breeds new forms of crimes and

criminals. We are now beginning to see new categories and varieties of 

cyber-crimes, which have not been addressed in the IT Act. This

includes cyber stalking, cyber nuisance, cyber harassment, cyber

defamation and the like. Though Section 67 of the InformationTechnology Act, 2000 provides for punishment to whoever transmits

or publishes or causes to be published or transmitted, any material

 which is obscene in electronic form with imprisonment for a term

 which may extend to two years and with fine which may extend to

twenty five thousand rupees on first convection and in the event of 

second may extend to five years and also with fine which may extend to

fifty thousand rupees, it does not expressly talk of cyber defamation.

The above provision chiefly aim at curbing the increasing number of child pornography cases and does not encompass other crimes which

could have been expressly brought within its ambit such as cyber

defamation.