Reviewed case brief
Collector of Madura v. Mootoo Ramalinga Sethupathy
(1868) 12 MIA 397
The Privy Council held that a custom, when proved to be ancient, certain, reasonable, and exercised without interruption, constitutes a source of law independent of statute. The case established the essential requisites a custom must satisfy to be recognised as having legal force in India.
- Court
- Privy Council
- Year
- 1868
- Subjects
- Jurisprudence
- Reviewed
- 2026-06-30
Rule established
A custom that is ancient, certain, reasonable, and continuous has the force of law without requiring statutory backing
Facts
Issues
Held
Ratio decidendi
How to use it in an exam
Editorial source
Moore's Indian Appeals
Educational summary only. Read the reported judgment or an authorised law report before relying on the case professionally.