{"id":4052,"date":"2025-09-05T09:34:26","date_gmt":"2025-09-05T09:34:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.luzenta.com\/blog\/?p=4052"},"modified":"2025-09-05T09:34:26","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T09:34:26","slug":"top-25-landmark-corporate-law-judgments-of-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.luzenta.com\/blog\/top-25-landmark-corporate-law-judgments-of-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 25 Landmark Corporate Law Judgments of 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a significant judgment, the Supreme Court ruled that borrowers do not have an inherent right to claim benefits under the One Time Settlement (OTS) scheme offered by banks or financial institutions. The case involved Bijnor Urban Cooperative Bank Ltd. versus Meenal Agarwal.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Background of the Case<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The borrower had taken a credit facility from the bank, which was classified as a Non-Performing Asset (NPA). The bank initiated proceedings under the SARFAESI Act, 2002, to recover the dues. The borrower applied for consideration under the One-Time Settlement Scheme. However, the bank rejected the application because the loan account was already declared as an NPA and hence not eligible for settlement under the OTS scheme. The bank proceeded to recover the loan through the auction of the mortgaged property.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The borrower challenged this rejection before the High Court by filing a writ petition. The High Court directed the bank to reconsider the application and grant the benefit of the OTS scheme.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Supreme Court\u2019s Observations and Ruling<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On appeal, the Supreme Court set aside the High Court\u2019s order, ruling that a borrower cannot demand OTS benefits as a matter of right. The Court noted the potential misuse of such schemes if borrowers deliberately default on payments and wait to avail the benefits of OTS schemes that allow paying less than the total dues.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Court explained that if the borrower is financially capable but refuses to pay installments, hoping to pay a reduced amount later under the OTS scheme, this would encourage dishonesty and be unfair to the lending institutions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Court further clarified that the purpose of the OTS scheme is not to reward defaulting borrowers but to provide a compromise solution when recovery through usual means is difficult. Therefore, compelling banks to grant OTS benefits would be contrary to the scheme&#8217;s intent and the bank\u2019s rights.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was also held that the High Court exceeded its jurisdiction by issuing a writ of mandamus directing the bank to grant the OTS benefit. The Supreme Court emphasized that the bank has the discretion to decide on settlement applications based on its policies and the circumstances of each case.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This ruling safeguards banks&#8217; rights to recover dues and discourages defaulting borrowers from exploiting settlement schemes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Supreme Court Upholds Insolvency Provisions for Personal Guarantors<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the provisions under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, that allow insolvency proceedings to be initiated against personal guarantors of corporate debtors. This ruling was delivered in the case of Lalit Kumar Jain versus Union of India.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Background and Challenge to the Provisions<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 2019 notification introduced rules that extended insolvency resolution processes to personal guarantors of corporate debtors. Several writ petitions challenged these provisions on constitutional grounds, asserting that the Code should not selectively apply to some individuals and not others.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The petitions were transferred to the Supreme Court for a consolidated hearing due to the significance of the legal questions involved.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Supreme Court\u2019s Analysis and Conclusion<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Court ruled that the extension of insolvency provisions to personal guarantors is not arbitrary or selective in a constitutionally impermissible manner. The Code specifically contemplates different categories of individuals, and personal guarantors are connected intrinsically to corporate debtors, necessitating a distinct approach.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Court referred to various sections of the Code that indicate personal guarantors should be treated differently but within the same insolvency framework and adjudicatory authority.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was held that the staged implementation of the Code, including notifications that brought different categories under its ambit gradually, is valid and within the power of the legislature.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This judgment provides financial institutions with an effective tool to simultaneously pursue insolvency resolution against companies and their guarantors, expediting recovery of dues.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Forwarding of Company Financials on WhatsApp Does Not Constitute Insider Trading<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) set aside insider trading charges based on the forwarding of company financial data on WhatsApp, in the case of Shruti Vora versus Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Facts of the Case<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SEBI initiated an investigation against members of a WhatsApp group suspected of leaking unpublished price-sensitive information (UPSI) relating to quarterly financial results of various companies. Seizures and searches were conducted, and penalties were imposed on those accused.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SEBI argued that the forwarded messages containing earnings data before official publication constituted insider trading.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Tribunal\u2019s Reasoning and Judgment<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On appeal, the SAT observed that SEBI failed to establish the source of the information or demonstrate that the appellants knew that the information was unpublished and price sensitive.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Tribunal highlighted that merely forwarding received messages without knowing their sensitive nature does not amount to insider trading. Knowledge of the information\u2019s status as unpublished price-sensitive information is a key element.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Tribunal relied on prior rulings affirming that possession of UPSI requires a linkage between the source and the person in possession and that knowledge must be established on the preponderance of probabilities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The absence of concrete evidence or attendant circumstances indicating insider knowledge led to the quashing of SEBI\u2019s order and penalties.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>UK Supreme Court Holds Uber Drivers Are Workers, Not Independent Contractors<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a landmark judgment with potential international implications, including in India, the UK Supreme Court held that Uber drivers qualify as workers entitled to employment benefits rather than independent contractors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Background of the Legal Dispute<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The case involved Uber BV versus Aslam and concerned whether drivers providing services via the Uber app were independent contractors or workers under UK employment law. The classification impacts entitlement to minimum wages, paid holidays, and other statutory benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lower tribunals ruled in favor of the drivers, and Uber appealed to the Supreme Court.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Arguments by Uber<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Uber contended that the contractual relationship was between the driver and the passenger, not between Uber and the driver. Uber maintained that drivers were free to work whenever they wished and that Uber merely facilitated bookings and collected fares, deducting a service fee.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Supreme Court\u2019s Findings<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Court analyzed the degree of control Uber exercised over drivers, including how rides were allocated, performance standards, fare calculations, and driver obligations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Supreme Court found that Uber exercised significant control over drivers, restricting their ability to increase earnings through entrepreneurial effort and placing them in a subordinate position.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Court concluded that drivers were indeed workers and entitled to employment protections such as minimum wage and holiday pay.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This ruling overturns Uber\u2019s appeal and has broad implications for gig economy workers worldwide.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Advocates Must Be Allowed to Register as Professionals on the MCA Portal: Delhi High Court<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Delhi High Court directed the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) to allow advocates enrolled with Bar Councils to register as professionals on the MCA portal for company and LLP registrations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Background of the Petition<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The MCA portal permits Chartered Accountants, Company Secretaries, and Cost Accountants to register as professionals authorized to incorporate companies and LLPs. However, advocates were excluded despite amendments in the Companies Act, 2013, permitting them to file incorporation documents.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The petitioner challenged the exclusion as discriminatory and contrary to the Companies Act.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>High Court\u2019s Decision<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Court held that the MCA must amend its portal and toolkit to include advocates as registered professionals, recognizing their statutory right to file incorporation documents.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The judgment emphasized that the exclusion of advocates was unjustified discrimination and that Bar Councils should be included as an option on the portal.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This decision enables advocates to provide company registration services alongside other recognized professionals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Supreme Court Strikes Down West Bengal Housing Industry Regulation Act, 2017 for Conflict with RERA<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Supreme Court declared the West Bengal Housing Industry Regulation Act, 2017 (WBHIRA) unconstitutional due to its conflict with the central Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA). The case was Forum for People\u2019s Collective Efforts versus the State of West Bengal.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Background and Legal Challenge<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The petitioner, a homebuyers association, challenged the state Act because it duplicated and conflicted with the provisions of the central RERA legislation. Both laws aimed to regulate the housing industry and protect homebuyers, but overlapping provisions caused legal confusion and regulatory conflict.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Supreme Court\u2019s Analysis<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Court held that since both WBHIRA and RERA occupy the same legislative field in the concurrent list, any conflict leads to central legislation prevailing. The state law encroached upon Parliament\u2019s domain and was therefore unconstitutional.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, the Court clarified that states are allowed to legislate on subjects allied or incidental to RERA, provided such laws do not conflict with the central Act.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Court further ruled that striking down WBHIRA would not revive the earlier 1993 West Bengal Act on housing regulation, as it was impliedly repealed by RERA.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Directions and Impact<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To avoid disruption, the Court directed that past registrations, sanctions, and permissions granted under WBHIRA before its striking down would continue to remain valid. This judgment promotes uniformity in real estate regulation and resolves legal uncertainty for homebuyers and developers in West Bengal.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Waiver of Pre-Deposit for Filing Appeal Before Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunal is Not Legally Sustainable<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited versus Ambuj A. Kasliwal, the Supreme Court ruled that the waiver of mandatory pre-deposit required for filing an appeal before the Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunal (DRAT) is not legally valid.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Case Background<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The bank appealed against a High Court order that allowed guarantors to file an appeal before the DRAT without making any pre-deposit of the debt amount as required under Section 21 of the Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act, 1993.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The High Court had exercised discretion to waive the pre-deposit in full.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Supreme Court\u2019s Ruling<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Apex Court held that the statutory provision under Section 21 mandates a pre-deposit before filing an appeal in DRAT. The High Court did not have the power to waive this mandatory requirement.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Court observed that such discretion cannot override the clear intent of the statute. Any waiver of the pre-deposit requirement in its entirety would be contrary to law.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The judgment reinforces that statutory procedures must be strictly followed in recovery proceedings and appeals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Corporate Debtor Not Classified as MSME on CIRP Initiation Date Cannot Be Treated as MSME Later..<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Ahmedabad Bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) ruled in the case of POSCO India Pune Processing Center Private Limited versus Dhaval Jitendrakumar Mistry that a corporate debtor not qualifying as a Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) on the date of initiation of the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) cannot claim MSME status retrospectively.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Facts and Issues<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The corporate debtor applied for CIRP under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. At the time of CIRP initiation, it did not qualify as an MSME. Later amendments to MSME classification criteria came into effect with retrospective intent.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The issue was whether the debtor could claim benefits applicable to MSMEs by retrospective application of the amended MSME norms.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Tribunal\u2019s Interpretation<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The NCLT emphasized the fundamental legal principle that statutes should not be given retrospective effect unless expressly provided.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The tribunal ruled that since the corporate debtor did not qualify as an MSME on the CIRP initiation date, it could not avail MSME benefits retrospectively.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This decision clarifies that benefits under MSME classifications will be governed by the law prevailing on the date of initiation of insolvency proceedings.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code Does Not Apply to Third-Party Property<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a crucial ruling, the Supreme Court examined the limits of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) concerning third-party properties that do not belong to the corporate debtor undergoing insolvency proceedings. This was the case of Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) versus Abhilash Lal.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Background<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The issue arose regarding whether properties owned by third parties but controlled or possessed by the corporate debtor could be included in the insolvency estate and subjected to liquidation or sale under the IBC.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) had held in favor of inclusion, but the Supreme Court set aside this ruling.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Supreme Court\u2019s Decision<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Court clarified that the IBC is intended to deal only with assets owned by the corporate debtor.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Properties belonging to third parties cannot be treated as part of the insolvent company\u2019s estate.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The judgment protects third-party rights and restricts the scope of insolvency proceedings to the debtor\u2019s assets.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This ruling provides clarity on asset ownership issues in insolvency cases, ensuring third parties are not adversely affected by IBC actions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Overview of the Impact of These Judgments on Corporate Law and Practice<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The rulings outlined in this part collectively have significant implications for corporate governance, insolvency resolution, consumer protection, and financial recovery processes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Supreme Court\u2019s intervention in state real estate legislation promotes uniformity and clarity, avoiding regulatory confusion for stakeholders.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Strict enforcement of statutory procedures in debt recovery appeals enhances predictability and legal compliance in financial litigation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clarifications regarding MSME status during insolvency ensure fairness in applying benefits without retrospective distortions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The protection of third-party assets in insolvency proceedings safeguards innocent parties\u2019 interests and delineates clear boundaries for insolvency estates.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Together, these decisions strengthen the rule of law, ensure accountability, and foster a balanced approach between creditors\u2019 rights, debtors\u2019 responsibilities, and public interest.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Enforcement of Security Interest under SARFAESI Act: Bank\u2019s Rights and Borrower\u2019s Limitations<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The SARFAESI Act empowers banks and financial institutions to enforce their security interests without the intervention of courts, streamlining the recovery of non-performing assets. The judiciary has reiterated banks\u2019 rights to initiate recovery and the limited scope for borrowers to claim relief.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Overview of the SARFAESI Act<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 (SARFAESI) allows secured creditors to enforce security interests by taking possession, sale, or lease of secured assets when borrowers default.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Act provides financial institutions with a non-judicial remedy to recover dues efficiently, reducing delays common in traditional recovery litigation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Judicial Safeguards for Banks<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Courts have consistently upheld banks\u2019 authority to enforce security interests under SARFAESI without prior permission, provided the bank follows procedural safeguards such as notice requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the case of Bijnor Urban Cooperative Bank Ltd. v. Meenal Agarwal, the Supreme Court emphasized that the bank is entitled to initiate recovery even if the borrower is eligible or not eligible for schemes like One Time Settlement.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Borrowers\u2019 Limited Remedies<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Borrowers cannot compel banks to provide concessions or settlement schemes as a matter of right. The discretion to grant settlements lies with the bank.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Further, the courts have held that once the security interest is enforced lawfully, borrowers must comply with recovery steps, including auction of mortgaged property if dues remain unpaid.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This judicial approach balances banks\u2019 need for recovery with borrowers\u2019 rights, ensuring that insolvency and debt recovery processes function effectively.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Significance of the One-Time Settlement Scheme and Its Limitations<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The One Time Settlement scheme offers borrowers an opportunity to settle dues by paying a reduced amount as a compromise, providing relief in genuine cases of financial difficulty.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Purpose and Nature of OTS Schemes<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">OTS schemes are designed as discretionary tools by lenders to resolve bad debts amicably, reducing legal costs and recovering funds promptly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are often offered during economic downturns or specific government initiatives to help stressed borrowers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Limitations on Borrowers<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The courts have clarified that OTS is not a statutory right but a privilege granted at the lender\u2019s discretion.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Borrowers who can pay dues as per the original loan agreement cannot insist on OTS benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Granting OTS indiscriminately risks encouraging deliberate defaults and harms the financial system\u2019s stability.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Impact of Judicial Rulings<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Supreme Court rulings underline that courts cannot direct banks to grant OTS benefits against their policy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This ensures that OTS schemes remain instruments of compromise, not tools for avoiding liabilities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Insolvency Resolution for Personal Guarantors: Enhancing Recovery Mechanisms<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The inclusion of personal guarantors under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code marks a major reform in debt recovery and insolvency resolution.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Role of Personal Guarantors<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Personal guarantors stand as sureties for corporate debtors\u2019 loans, providing additional security to lenders.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Historically, recovery from personal guarantors was challenging due to a lack of streamlined insolvency processes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Extension of IBC Provisions to Personal Guarantors<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 2019 notification extended insolvency resolution provisions to personal guarantors, allowing simultaneous recovery proceedings.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Supreme Court upheld this extension as valid and constitutionally sound.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Benefits of This Inclusion<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lenders gain a powerful tool to expedite recovery by invoking insolvency against guarantors while corporate insolvency proceedings are ongoing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It improves the efficacy of debt recovery, deters default, and aligns personal guarantors\u2019 responsibilities with corporate accountability.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Insider Trading and the Importance of Knowledge and Intent<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Securities Appellate Tribunal\u2019s decision in the case involving WhatsApp messages clarifies essential aspects of insider trading law.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Defining Insider Trading<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insider trading involves dealing in securities based on material, non-public information to gain an unfair advantage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regulations require that the person knowingly possess published price sensitive information (UPSI).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Requirement of Knowledge and Intent<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Possession of information alone is insufficient to prove insider trading.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Knowledge that the information is UPSI and the intent to use it for trading are necessary elements.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Implications of the SAT Ruling<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ruling protects individuals who forward information without knowing its sensitive nature.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It underscores the need for concrete evidence showing awareness of the information\u2019s confidentiality before penalizing for insider trading.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Employment Status of Gig Economy Workers: Legal Perspectives from the UK Supreme Court<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The UK Supreme Court\u2019s ruling on Uber drivers addresses the evolving legal recognition of gig economy workers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Worker vs. Independent Contractor<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The classification determines the nature of employment benefits and protections available to individuals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Independent contractors operate businesses on their own account, while workers have a contract of employment or a similar relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Court\u2019s Assessment of Uber Drivers\u2019 Status<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Court found Uber\u2019s control over drivers\u2019 work, fare setting, and performance requirements indicative of a worker relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite some contractual terms suggesting independence, practical realities showed subordination.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Broader Impact<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This decision sets a precedent for assessing gig workers\u2019 rights and may influence laws globally.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It raises questions about labor protections and benefits in app-based and platform economies.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Advocates\u2019 Right to Register Companies on MCA Portal<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Delhi High Court ruled that advocates enrolled with Bar Councils must be allowed to register as professionals on the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) portal for company and LLP registrations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Legal Basis for Advocates\u2019 Inclusion<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Section 7(1)(b) of the Companies Act, 2013,, allows advocates to file incorporation documents. Despite this, the MCA portal had excluded advocates as registered professionals, permitting only Chartered Accountants, Company Secretaries, and Cost Accountants.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Court\u2019s Reasoning<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Court found the exclusion discriminatory and contrary to the amendment in the Companies Act. It directed the MCA to update the portal and toolkit to include advocates as professionals entitled to incorporate companies and LLPs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Practical Implications<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This judgment enables advocates to provide incorporation services officially, broadening professional avenues and ensuring parity among professionals qualified to assist with company formation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Conflict Between State and Central Legislation: Lessons from the West Bengal Housing Act Case<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Supreme Court\u2019s decision to strike down the West Bengal Housing Industry Regulation Act, 07,, highlights the doctrine of legislative repugnancy in the concurrent list.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Doctrine of Repugnancy<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When a state law conflicts with a central law on a concurrent subject, the central law prevails.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WBHIRA conflicted with the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA), which occupies the same legislative space.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Impact on State Legislation<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ruling reinforces that states cannot enact laws that undermine or duplicate central laws.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">States may legislate on incidental or allied matters but must avoid inconsistency.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Effect on Regulatory Landscape<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The judgment promotes uniformity in real estate regulation across India and prevents legal uncertainty for stakeholders.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Mandatory Pre-Deposit Requirement in Debt Recovery Appeals<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Supreme Court reaffirmed the mandatory nature of the pre-deposit requirement under Section 21 of the Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act, 1993, in appeals before the Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunal (DRAT).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Importance of Pre-Deposit<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pre-deposit acts as a filter to discourage frivolous or vexatious appeals, ensuring only genuine cases proceed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Judicial Limits on Waiver<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Courts cannot waive this requirement in its entirety as it contravenes the statutory mandate.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This preserves the efficacy and credibility of debt recovery mechanisms.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Application of MSME Classification in Insolvency Proceedings<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The NCLT\u2019s ruling that MSME status cannot be claimed retrospectively after CIRP initiation preserves legal certainty and fairness.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Principle Against Retrospective Application<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Statutes and classifications are applied as per law in force at the time of initiating legal or insolvency proceedings.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Protection of Stakeholders<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This approach avoids manipulation of classifications to gain undue advantage during insolvency.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Protection of Third Party Property in Insolvency<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Supreme Court\u2019s ruling affirming that third-party property cannot be included in the insolvency estate protects property rights and clarifies IBC\u2019s scope.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Asset Ownership and Insolvency Estate<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Only assets legally owned by the corporate debtor are subject to insolvency proceedings.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Safeguarding Innocent Parties<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This prevents misuse of insolvency provisions to seize or sell assets belonging to unrelated parties.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The landmark rulings of 2021 have strengthened the legal framework governing corporate law, insolvency, financial recovery, and labor rights. They reinforce statutory mandates, clarify the limits of judicial intervention, and promote fairness among stakeholders. These decisions collectively contribute to the stability, transparency, and accountability essential for a robust corporate ecosystem.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In a significant judgment, the Supreme Court ruled that borrowers do not have an inherent right to claim benefits under the One Time Settlement (OTS) [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1319,1081],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4052","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-landmark-corporate-law-judgments","category-supreme-court"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Top 25 Landmark Corporate Law Judgments of 2021 - Free Invoice Generator - Luzenta<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.luzenta.com\/blog\/top-25-landmark-corporate-law-judgments-of-2021\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Top 25 Landmark Corporate Law Judgments of 2021 - 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