Reviewed case brief

A.B.C. Laminart Pvt. Ltd. and Anr. v A.P. Agencies, Salem

AIR 1989 SC 1239

## Summary

jurisdiction-clauseexclusive-jurisdictionouster-clausesection-20-cpc
Court
Supreme Court of India
Year
1989
Subjects
Civil Procedure Code and Law of Limitation
Reviewed
2026-07-22

Rule established

Where a contract contains a clause specifying that disputes shall be subject to the jurisdiction of a particular court, and more than one court would otherwise have jurisdiction under Section 20 CPC based on the facts, such an exclusive jurisdiction clause is valid and binding on the parties, provided the chosen court is one that would, in any event, have jurisdiction under the general law; parties cannot, however, confer jurisdiction on a court that would otherwise have none.

Facts

    Issues

      Held

        Ratio decidendi

        How to use it in an exam

        Editorial source

        AIR 1989 SC 1239; foundational authority on the validity and limits of contractual jurisdiction clauses, cross-verify citation before exam use

        Educational summary only. Read the reported judgment or an authorised law report before relying on the case professionally.