PROBLEM-BASED CIVIL JURISDICTION QUESTIONS with MODEL ANSWERS, written exactly in the judiciary mains problem-solving style.
Each answer shows issue → law → application → conclusion, with CPC sections + Supreme Court case law.
⚖️ PROBLEM-BASED CIVIL JURISDICTION QUESTIONS (CPC)
Problem 1
A owns agricultural land situated in Indore. B illegally occupies it. A files a suit for possession in Bhopal, where both parties reside.
Answer
Issue:
Whether Bhopal court has territorial jurisdiction.
Law:
Section 16 CPC mandates that suits for recovery of possession of immovable property shall be filed where the property is situated.
Application:
The land is situated in Indore. Residence of parties is irrelevant in such cases.
Case Law:
Harshad Chiman Lal Modi v. DLF Universal Ltd. (2005) — Section 16 is mandatory.
Conclusion:
Only Indore court has jurisdiction. Suit in Bhopal is not maintainable.
Problem 2
A contract was executed in Mumbai, goods were delivered in Surat, and payment was to be made in Ahmedabad. Breach occurred due to non-payment. A files suit in Ahmedabad.
Answer
Issue:
Whether Ahmedabad court has jurisdiction.
Law:
Under Section 20(c) CPC, a suit may be instituted where the whole or any part of the cause of action arises.
Application:
Payment was to be made in Ahmedabad; hence part of cause of action arose there.
Case Law:
A.B.C. Laminart Pvt. Ltd. v. A.P. Agencies (1989)
Conclusion:
Ahmedabad court has valid jurisdiction.
Problem 3
A suit for damages for defamation is filed in Delhi, where the plaintiff resides. The defamatory article was published in Lucknow. Defendant resides in Kanpur.
Answer
Issue:
Whether Delhi court has jurisdiction.
Law:
Under Section 19 CPC, suit for compensation for wrong to person may be filed where:
the wrong was committed, or
the defendant resides.
Application:
The wrong occurred in Lucknow; defendant resides in Kanpur. Plaintiff residence alone does not confer jurisdiction.
Case Law:
Oil & Natural Gas Commission v. Utpal Kumar Basu (1994)
Conclusion:
Delhi court lacks jurisdiction. Suit must be filed in Lucknow or Kanpur.
Problem 4
A files a money recovery suit worth ₹15 lakhs in a court whose pecuniary limit is ₹10 lakhs. Defendant raises objection after completion of trial.
Answer
Issue:
Effect of pecuniary jurisdiction defect.
Law:
Section 21 CPC requires objections to pecuniary jurisdiction to be raised at the earliest opportunity and before settlement of issues.
Application:
Objection raised after trial is belated. Unless failure of justice is shown, proceedings are not vitiated.
Case Law:
Kiran Singh v. Chaman Paswan (1954)
Conclusion:
Decree is not invalid merely due to pecuniary jurisdiction defect.
Problem 5
A files a suit in Chennai relying on a jurisdiction clause stating:
“Courts at Chennai alone shall have jurisdiction.”
Cause of action arose in Hyderabad, and defendant resides in Hyderabad.
Answer
Issue:
Validity of exclusive jurisdiction clause.
Law:
Parties may choose one of the competent courts but cannot confer jurisdiction on a court otherwise lacking it.
Application:
No part of cause of action arose in Chennai, nor does defendant reside there. Chennai court is not competent.
Case Law:
A.B.C. Laminart Pvt. Ltd. v. A.P. Agencies
Conclusion:
Jurisdiction clause is invalid. Suit not maintainable in Chennai.
Problem 6
Property is situated partly in Jaipur and partly in Ajmer. Plaintiff files suit in Jaipur.
Answer
Law:
Section 17 CPC permits filing suit in any court within whose jurisdiction any portion of the property is situated.
Conclusion:
Jaipur court has valid jurisdiction.
Problem 7
A special statute creates a tribunal for service disputes but does not expressly bar civil court jurisdiction. A files a civil suit.
Answer
Law:
Civil court jurisdiction may be impliedly barred if statute provides complete machinery.
Case Law:
Dhulabhai v. State of M.P. (1969)
Conclusion:
Civil court jurisdiction is impliedly barred if statutory remedy is adequate.
🏆 TOPPER’S PROBLEM-SOLVING FORMULA
Issue → Section → Case law → Application → Conclusion
Use this structure and you’ll score consistently high in mains