1

RECOGNITION OF FOREIGN DECREE IN CONFLICT OF LAW5

Il is nol unusuaI lo cono acioss casos of dosoilion of Indian vifo ly a NRI husland.
Thoio aio nany inslancos vhon NRI invoko juiisdiclion of lho foioign couils vhoio ho
is iosiding and convincos lho ovoisoas couil lo pass favoialIo docioo vhich Ialoi conos
lofoio lho Indian couils foi iocognilion and oxoculion. ul al linos vhon docioo is nol
accoiding lo lho iuIos and Iavs Iaid dovn foi iocognilion, lhon il is nol iocognizod in
India. This iosuIls in silualion, undoi vhich coupIo in ono juiisdiclion is iocognizod as
divoicod and in olhoi lhoy aio sliII husland and vifo. This is knovn as Iinping
naiiiago.
This piolIon is nol onIy facod ly India lul nany olhoi counliios. ConfIicling and
puzzIing Iavs of diffoionl IogaI syslons in iospocl of juiisdiclion and choico of Iav
nako divoico sookois lo go foi foiun shopping and in ond such divoico docioos aio nol
iocognizod ly lho olhoi couil.

CONCEPT OF RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT
Onco lho couil conos lo lho concIusion lhal lho foioign judgnonl is doIivoiod ly a couil
of Conpolonl juiisdiclion, nosl of lho couils do nol lako inlo accounl vholhoi lho
foioign couil has nado a nislako of Iav oi facl. Ioioign judgnonls aio onfoicod and
iocognizod fion Iong lino. LaiIioi judgnonls voio onfoicod ly lho couils on lho lasis
of conily. ul in Ialoi linos il vas iopIacod ly docliino of olIigalion. Il vas
suppoilod ly Iaiko . }. in Russc|| t. Snq|n
1
and ly Iackluin }. in Gcdard t. Graq
2
in lho
foIIoving voids: ..lhal lho judgnonl of a couil of conpolonl juiisdiclion ovoi lho
dofondanl inposos a duly oi olIigalion on lho dofondanl of lo pay lho sun foi vhich
judgnonl is givon, vhich couil in lhis counliy aio lound lo onfoico...
ul lhis lhooiy of olIigalion has loon ciilicizod locauso il doos nol oxpIain vhich
judgnonl shouId lo iocognizod and onfoicod. Tho Supiono Couil of Canada has
iofoiiod lo lho nodoin and noio dofinod concopl of conily lo juslify lho iocognilion
and onfoicononl of foioign judgnonls. In Mcrgaurd |ntcs|ncn|s ||d t. Dc Sancqc
3

concopl of conily vas dofinod vilh jus|icc, ncccssi|q and ccntcnicncc. Tho Unilod Slalos
couils has oxpIainod lho concopl of conily ccni|q in |nc |cga| scnsc is nci|ncr a na||cr cf
aosc|u|c co|iga|icn, cn |nc cnc nand, ncr cf ncrc ccur|csq and gccdui||, upcn |nc c|ncr. 8u| i| is
|nc rcccgni|icn unicn cnc na|icn a||cus ui|nin |nc |crri|crq |c |nc |cgis|a|itc, cxccu|itc cr

1
(1842) 9 M W 810
2
(1870) L8 6 C8 139
3
(1991) 76 uL8(4Lh) 236

2

judicia| ac|s cf anc|ncr na|icn, nating duc rcgard oc|n |c in|crna|icna| du|q and ccntcnicncc,
and |c |nc rign|s cf i|s cun ci|izcns cr cf c|ncr pcrscns unc arc undcr |nc prc|cc|icn cf i|s |aus.
ul unIiko connon Iav counliios, lho conlinonlaI pIacos nuch ioIianco on iocipiocily
foi lho iocognilion and onfoicononl of foioign judgnonl.

&5TIFICATION FOR ENFORCEMENT OF FOREIGN LAW
A sovoioign is supiono vilhin ils loiiiloiy and accoiding lo accoplod piincipIos ho has
oxcIusivo juiisdiclion ovoi ovoiylhing vilhin ils loiiiloiy. Undoi his loiiiloiy ho if
choosos can iofuso lo considoi Iav of any olhoi counliy. ul in oia of gIolaIizalion il is
inpiaclicalIo. As a iosuIl nalions havo Iong lack undoislood lhal lhoy cannol affoid lo
disiogaid foioign Iav noioIy locauso lhoy happon lo lo difficuIl fion lhoii ovn
inloinaI syslon of Iav.
Tho juslificalion foi iocognilion of foioign judgnonl undoi confIicl of Iavs has givon lho
judgos of lho connon Iav counliios and sono aulhois is conily of nalions. Tho
conily has loon dofinod ly Ioid DipIock as acccp|cd ru|cs cf nu|ua| ccnduc| as oc|uccn
s|a|c and s|a|c, unicn cacn s|a|c adcp|s in rc|a|icn |c c|ncr s|a|cs |c adcp| in rc|a|icn |c i|. Tho
Anoiican couils appIy conily in Iinilod inslancos Iiko onfoicononl of foioign
judgnonls. In olhoi counliios Iiko LngIand, il is no noio usod as a juslificalion foi
confIicl of Iav iuIos. IulIic inloinalionaI Iav piincipIos Iiko 'slalo sovoioignly piovido
a lolloi juslificalion foi adoplion of confIicl of Iav iuIos loday.
ul loday, in changod posilion, lho iuIos aio fianod noslIy on oquily and juslico
considoialions. In lho Iandnaik docision of Sa|qa t. Tcja Singn
4
, Chandiachud. },
accopling lho changod posilion said:
I| is..a |ruisn |c saq |na| unc|ncr i| is a prco|cn cf nunicipa| |au cr cf Ccnf|ic| cf |aus, ctcrq
casc unicn ccncs ocfcrc an |ndian ccur| nus| oc dccidcd in acccrdancc ui|n |ndian |au. || is
anc|ncr na||cr |na| |nc |ndian ccnf|ic| cf |aus naq rcquirc |na| |nc |au cf a fcrcign ccun|rq
cugn| |c oc app|icd in a gitcn si|ua|icn fcr dcciding a casc unicn ccn|ains a fcrcign c|cncn|.
Sucn rcccgni|icn is acccrdcd nc| as an ac| cf ccur|csq ou| cn ccnsidcra|icns cf jus|icc. || is
inp|ici| in |na| prcccss, |na| |nc fcrcign |au nus| nc| cffcnd agains| cur puo|ic pc|icq.




4
Al8 1973 SC 106

3

PROCED&RE OF RECOGNITION IN INDIA
UnIiko divoico, quoslion of iocognilion of foioign docioos on in India is doaIl undoi
singIo IogisIalion. Soclion 13
5
and 44A
6
of lho CIC piovidos foi iocognilion of lho
foioign docioos undoi vhich lho docioo hoIdoi has lo piocood lofoio an Indian couil ly
fiIIing a ioguIai suil and couil afloi hoaiing lho suil piocoodings, nay pass a judgnonl
foi ils onfoicononl vhich lho docioo hoIdoi, lhiough an oxoculion polilion ioaIizos. On
lho olhoi hand soclion 44A piovidos foi diiocl onfoicononl of foioign docioo lhiough
oxoculion polilion vilhoul going lhiough suil piocoodings, diiocl onfoicononl is
avaiIalIo onIy on lho lasis of a liIaloiaI undoislanding, lasod on iocipiocily , lolvoon
India and lho olhoi counliy fion vhoio lho docioo haiIs. osidos lhoso piovisions
foioign docioo is aIso iocognizod on lho lasis of oxislonco of a ioaI and sulslanliaI
connoclion lolvoon lho pailios and lho couil vhich oxoicisod lho divoico juiisdiclion.

A forelgn [udgmenL shall be concluslve as Lo any maLLer Lhereby dlrecLly ad[udlcaLed upon beLween Lhe same
parLles or beLween parLles under whom Lhey or any of Lhem clalm llLlgaLlng under Lhe same LlLle excepL
(a) where lL has noL been pronounced by a CourL of compeLenL [urlsdlcLlon
(b) where lL has noL been glven on Lhe merlLs of Lhe case
(c) where lL appears on Lhe face of Lhe proceedlngs Lo be founded on an lncorrecL vlew of lnLernaLlonal law or a
refusal Lo recognlze Lhe law of

lndla ln cases ln whlch such law ls appllcable

(d) where Lhe proceedlngs ln whlch Lhe [udgmenL was obLalned are opposed Lo naLural [usLlce
(e) where lL has been obLalned by fraud
f) where lL susLalns a clalm founded on a breach of any law ln force ln

lndla

1) Where a cerLlfled copy of decree of any of Lhe superlor CourLs of

&&& any reclprocaLlng LerrlLory has been

flled ln a ulsLrlcL CourL Lhe decree may be execuLed ln

lndla as lf lL had been passed by Lhe ulsLrlcL CourL

(2) 1ogeLher wlLh Lhe cerLlfled copy of Lhe decree shall be flled a cerLlflcaLe from such superlor CourL sLaLlng Lhe
exLenL lf any Lo whlch Lhe decree has been saLlsfled or ad[usLed and such cerLlflcaLe shall for Lhe purposes of
proceedlngs under Lhls secLlon be concluslve proof of Lhe exLenL of such saLlsfacLlon or ad[usLmenL

(3) 1he provlslons of secLlon 47 shall as from Lhe flllng of Lhe cerLlfled copy of Lhe decree apply Lo Lhe proceedlngs
of a ulsLrlcL CourL execuLlng a decree under Lhls secLlon and Lhe ulsLrlcL CourL shall refuse execuLlon of any such
decree lf lL ls shown Lo Lhe saLlsfacLlon of Lhe CourL LhaL Lhe decree falls wlLhln any of Lhe excepLlons speclfled ln
clauses (a) Lo (f) of secLlon 13

xplanaLlon 1 8eclprocaLlng LerrlLory means any counLry or LerrlLory ouLslde lndla whlch Lhe CenLral
CovernmenL may by noLlflcaLlon ln Lhe Cfflclal CazeLLe declare Lo be a reclprocaLlng LerrlLory for Lhe purposes of
Lhls secLlon and superlor CourLs wlLh reference Lo any such LerrlLory means such CourLs as may be speclfled ln
Lhe sald noLlflcaLlon

xplanaLlon 2 uecree wlLh reference Lo a superlor CourL means any decree or [udgmenL of such CourL under
whlch a sum of money ls payable noL belng a sum payable ln respecL of Laxes or oLher charges of a llke naLure or
ln respecL Lo a flne or oLher penalLy buL shall ln no case lnclude an arblLraLlon award even lf such an award ls
enforceable as a decree or [udgmenL

4

ul duo lo Iack of piopoi IogisIalion and inappiopiialo inloipiolalions ly lho couils lho
piolIon of Iinping naiiiagos and dosoilion ly NRIs is sliII nol soIvod.
In cac G|cria Pircs t. Mrs. Ana jcaquina Rcdrigucs Pircs
7
, }oao and }oaquina, Ronan
CalhoIics and iosidonls of Coa gol naiiiod in Coa and lhoioafloi }oao vonl lo Uganda
and locano a cilizon lhoio, vhiIo }oaquina slayod lack in India. Afloi loconing cilizon,
husland socuiod a docioo of divoico fion lho high couil of Uganda. Thoioafloi ho fiIod
a polilion in India, lofoio lho high couil of Coa, lhal lho divoico docioo shouId lo
confiinod in loins of Ioiluguoso CiviI Codo. ul vifo pIoadod lhal no nolico vas givon
lo hoi of lho divoico piocoodings in Uganda and lhal lhoy loing Ronan CalhoIics, lhoii
naiiiago is indissoIulIo accoiding lo lho Iav of Coa. Tho couil, afloi considoiing
soclion 13(f) of lho CIC and cIauso 6 of lho 11O2 of lho Ioiluguoso Codo
8
, hoId lhal lho
docioo nado ly lho high couil of lho Uganda vas in confIicl vilh piincipIos of lho
pulIic oidoi in lho Union loiiiloiy of Coa and lhoiofoio lho couil iojoclod. WhiIo
dociding lho couil aIso iofoiiod lo lho piolIon of Iinping naiiiagos. }uslico R.S.
india, olsoivod:
Apparcn||q i| |cc|s cdd and as|cnisning |na| a ditcrcc oc|uccn |nc |uc par|ics sncu|d oc ta|id
and oinding oc|uccn |ncn in cnc s|a|c and nc| oinding oc|uccn |nc sanc pcrscns in anc|ncr
s|a|c and |nis dcspi|c |nc |ncun na|urc cf ditcrcc dccrccs |na| |ncq arc dccrccs in rcn and nc| in
pcrscnan. Hcuctcr, |nis is nc| qui|c unccnncn si|ua|icn. Tnc ccnncn|a|cr Cncsnirc nas
dcscriocd sucn narriagcs as |inping narriagcs, narriagcs rcgardcd as ta|id in cnc ccun|rq ou|
tcid in anc|ncr.
Landnaik judgnonl vilh iofoionco lo iocognilion of lho foioign divoico docioos is Sn|.
Sa|qa t. Tcja Singn. In lhis caso naiiiago vas poifoinod al }uIIandoi accoiding lo lho
Hindu iighls in 1955 and lolh voio doniciIod in India. ul Ialoi on husland vonl lo
USA and vifo slayod in India and novoi joinod hoi husland in USA. In 1965 appoIIanl-
vifo fiIod a suil foi nainlonanco and iospondonl-husland donuiiod lhal his naiiiago
vas dissoIvod ly lho docioo gianlod ly lho Disliicl couil of Slalo of Novada, USA and
lhal lhoiofoio ho vas nol IialIo lo nainlain hoi. Tho }udiciaI nagislialo, Iiisl CIass,
}uIIandoi hoId lhal lho docioo of lho divoico vas nol linding on vifo as husland had
nol poinanonlIy sollIod in lho Slalo of Novada. Tho high Couil of Iunjal Haiyana
appIying lho oId LngIish iuIo lhal duiing lho naiiiago lho doniciIo of lho vifo foIIovs
lho doniciIo of lho husland, and lhal sinco husland vas doniciIo in lho Novada so vas
vifo, hoId lhal lho Novada couil has juiisdiclion lo pass lho docioo of divoico.

7
Al8 1967 Coa uaman and dlu113
8
Accordlng Lo Lhe clause 6 of Lhe 1102 of Lhe code of Lhe forelgn [udgmenL cannoL be enforced lf lL ls ln confllcL
wlLh any prlnclples of orLuguese publlc order

3

Tho quoslion lofoio lho Supiono Couil vas vholhoi lho docioo of divoico passod ly
lho foioign couil, i.o. Novada, is onlilIod lo iocognilion in India. Tho Supiono Couil
olsoivod lhal i| is a uc|| rcccgnizcd princip|c |na| prita|c in|crna|icna| |au is nc| |nc sanc in
a|| ccun|rics. || is a |ruisn |c saq |na| unc|ncr i| is a prco|cn cf nunicipa| |au cr cf Ccnf|ic| cf
|aus, ctcrq casc unicn ccncs ocfcrc an |ndian ccur| nus| oc dccidcd in acccrdancc ui|n |ndian
|au... lho piincipIos of lho Anoiican and LngIish confIicl of Iavs aio nol lo lo adoplod
lIindIy ly Indian Couils. Nolion of gonuino and sulslanliaI juslico and lho dislinclivo
piincipIos of oui pulIic poIicy nusl doloinino lho iuIo of oui piivalo inloinalionaI
Iav.
Tho Couil aIso iofoiiod lo nolion of doniciIo and olsoivod lhal Toja Singh vonl lo
Novada as a liid of passago, iosoilod lo lho couil lhoio soIoIy lo found juiisdiclion and
piocuio a docioo of divoico .lul lo oxoiciso juiisdiclion lho iosidonco nusl ansvoi lho
quanlilalivo as voII as quaIilalivo losl lhal lho lvo oIononls of faclun and aninus nusl
concui. Tho couil nolod lhal |nc rcspcndcn| ucn| |c Nctada fcr fcrun-nun|ing, fcund a
ccntcnicn| jurisdic|icn unicn ucu|d casi|q purtcq a ditcrcc |c nin and |cf| i| ctcn ocfcrc |nc in|
cf dcnici|iarq asscr|icn uas drq. Tnus |nc dccrcc cf |nc Nctada ccur| |ac|s jurisdic|icn. ||s
dccrcc can rcccitc nc rcccgni|icn in cur ccur|s. Tho supiono couil sol asido lho judgnonl
of lho Iunjal and Haiyana high couil, iosloiing lho docision of lho liiaI couil. WhiIo
dociding lho caso lho couil nado sono olsoivalion vilh iofoionco lo lho piolIon of
Iinping naiiiagos. Tho couil olsoivod:
princip|cs gctcrning na||crs ui|nin |nc ditcrcc jurisdic|icn arc sc ccnf|ic|ing |na| cf|cn a nan
and a ucncn arc nusoand and uifc in cnc jurisdic|icn ou| |rca|cd as ditcrccd in anc|ncr
jurisdic|icn lho couil piocoodod lhal unnappi|q |nc narriagc oc|uccn Tcja Singn and Sa|qa
ucu|d |inp. Tnc spcuscs ucu|d oc |rca|cd as ditcrccd in Nctada ou| |ncir na|rincnq ucu|d
rcnain un-snappcd in |ndia, |nc ccun|rq cf |ncir dcnici|c. As a soIulion lho couil suggoslod
lhal Pcrnaps, |nc |n|crna|icna| Haguc Ccntcn|icn cf 1970 unicn ccn|ains a ccnprcncnsitc
scncnc fcr rc|icting |nc ccnfusicn causcd oq diffcring sqs|cns cf ccnf|ic| cf |aus naq scrtc as a
ncdc|. 8u| anq sucn |au sna|| natc |c prctidc fcr |nc ncn-rcccgni|icn cf fcrcign dccrccs prccurcd
oq fraud ocaring cn jurisdic|icna| fac|s as a|sc fcr |nc ncn-rcccgni|icn cf dccrccs, |nc rcccgni|icn
cf unicn ucu|d oc ccn|rarq |c cur puo|ic pc|icq. Un|i| |ncn |nc ccur|s sna|| natc |c cxcrcisc a
rcsidua| discrc|icn |c atcid f|agran| injus|icc fcr, nc ru|c cf prita|c in|crna|icna| |au ccu|d
ccnpc| a uifc |c suoni| |c a dccrcc prccurcd oq |nc nusoand oq |ric|crq. Sucn dccrccs cffcnd
agains| cur nc|icns cf suos|an|ia| jus|icc. ul vholhoi Haguo convonlion can ioaIIy hoIp
in soIving lhis piolIon is ilsoIf quoslionalIo as India is sliII nol signaloiy paily of
Haguo convonlion.

6

Noxl inpoilanl Supiono Couil docision vilh iogaid lo iocognilion of foioign divoico
docioo is . Narasinna Rac t. . Vcn|a|a|a|snni
9
. Tho facls aio lo siniIai lo alovo caso.
AppoIIanl and iospondonl gol naiiiod in India accoiding lo Hindu iilos. Thoy Iasl
iosidod logolhoi al Nov OiIoans, Louisiana. ul appoIIanl ollainod docioo foi lho
dissoIulion of naiiiago fion lho ciicuil couil of Sl. Louis counliy. On nolico sho iofusod
lo sulnil lo lho juiisdiclion of lho Anoiican couil. Tho iospondonl lhioughoul lho
piocoodings ionainod ox-pailo and lho Anoiican couil passod lho divoico docioo in hoi
alsonco. Afloi ollaining divoico lho appoIIanl cano lo India and naiiiod again. Tho
iospondonl lhoiofoio, fiIod a ciininaI conpIainl againsl lho appoIIanl foi ligany. Tho
nagislialo dischaigod lho appoIIanl on lho lasis of divoico docioo lul on ciininaI
iovision polilion ly iospondonl lo lho High Couil, lho nagislialos oidoi vas sol asido.
Aggiiovod lhoioly, lho appoIIanl piofoiiod lho appoaI lofoio lho Supiono Couil.
Afloi considoiing facls and ciicunslancos of lho caso, lho couil doaIl vilh lho
piovisions of lho Hindu Maiiiago Acl poilaining lo juiisdiclion and hoId lhal lho ciicuil
couil of Sl. Louis counliy, Missouii, had no juiisdiclion lo onloilain lho polilion as lho
pailios had gol naiiiod undoi lho Hindu Maiiiago Acl. IiioliiovalIo lioakdovn of lho
naiiiago vas nol ono of lho giounds iocognizod ly lho acl foi dissoIulion of naiiiago,
and honco lho docioo of divoico passod ly lho foioign couil vas on lho giound
unavaiIalIo undoi lho Acl. Iuilhoi, lho docioo vas ollainod ly lho appoIIanl ly slaling
lhal ho vas lho iosidonl of lho Missouii slalo vhon lho iocoid shovod lhal ho vas onIy
a liid of passago lhoio and vas oidinaiiIy a iosidonl of lho slalo of Louisiana. Ho had, if
al aII, onIy lochnicaIIy salisfiod lho ioquiiononl iosidonco of 9O days vilh lho onIy
puiposo of ollaining lho divoico. Ho vas noilhoi doniciIod in lhal slalo noi did ho
havo an inlonlion lo nako lhal il as hono. Ho had aIso no sulslanliaI connoclion vilh
lho foiun. IinaIIy lho couil hoId sinco vilh iogaid lo lho juiisdiclion of lho foiun as
voII as lho giound on vhich il is passod lho foioign docioo in piosonl caso is nol in
accoidanco vilh lho Acl undoi vhich lho pailios voio naiiiod and lho iospondonl had
nol sulnillod lo lho juiisdiclion of lho couil oi consonlod lo ils passing il cannol lo
iocognizod ly lho couils in lhis counliy and is lhoiofoio unonfoicoalIo.
Tho ioIovanl poilion of lho judgnonl is voilh quoling:
CIauso (a):
C|ausc (a) cf Scc|icn 13 s|a|cs |na| a fcrcign judgncn| sna|| nc| oc rcccgniscd if i| nas nc| occn
prcncunccd oq a ccur| cf ccnpc|cn| jurisdic|icn. lc arc cf |nc ticu |na| |nis c|ausc sncu|d oc
in|crprc|cd |c ncan |na| cn|q |na| ccur| ui|| oc a ccur| cf ccnpc|cn| jurisdic|icn unicn |nc Ac|

9
(1991)3 SCC 431

7

cr |nc |au undcr unicn |nc par|ics arc narricd rcccgnizcs as a ccur| cf ccnpc|cn| jurisdic|icn |c
cn|cr|ain |nc na|rincnia| dispu|c.
CIauso (l):
C|ausc (o) cf Scc|icn 13 s|a|cs |na| if a fcrcign judgncn| nas nc| occn gitcn cn |nc ncri|s cf |nc
casc, |nc ccur|s in |nis ccun|rq ui|| nc| rcccgnizc sucn judgncn|. Tnis c|ausc sncu|d oc
in|crprc|cd |c ncan (a) |na| |nc dccisicn cf |nc fcrcign ccur| sncu|d oc cn a grcund atai|ao|c
undcr |nc |au undcr unicn |nc par|ics arc narricd, and (o) |na| |nc dccisicn sncu|d oc a rcsu|| cf
|nc ccn|cs| oc|uccn |nc par|ics. Tnc |a||cr rcquircncn| is fu|fi||cd cn|q uncn |nc rcspcndcn| is
du|q scrtcd and tc|un|ari|q and unccndi|icna||q suoni|s ninsc|f/ncrsc|f |c |nc jurisdic|icn cf |nc
ccur| and ccn|cs|s |nc c|ain, cr agrccs |c |nc passing cf |nc dccrcc ui|n cr ui|ncu| appcarancc.
CIauso (c):
Tnc scccnd par| cf C|ausc (c) cf Scc|icn 13 s|a|cs |na| uncrc |nc judgncn| is fcundcd cn a
rcfusa| |c rcccgnizc |nc |au cf |nis ccun|rq in cascs in unicn sucn |au is app|icao|c, |nc
judgncn| ui|| nc| oc rcccgnizcd oq |nc ccur|s in |nis ccun|rq. Tnc narriagcs unicn |a|c p|acc in
|nis ccun|rq can cn|q oc undcr ci|ncr |nc cus|cnarq cr |nc s|a|u|crq |au in fcrcc in |nis ccun|rq.
Hcncc, |nc cn|q |au |na| can oc app|icao|c |c |nc na|rincnia| dispu|cs is |nc cnc undcr unicn |nc
par|ics arc narricd, and nc c|ncr |au. lncn, |ncrcfcrc, a fcrcign judgncn| is fcundcd cn a
jurisdic|icn cr cn a grcund nc| rcccgnizcd oq sucn |au, i| is a judgncn| unicn is in dcfiancc cf
|nc |au. Hcncc, i| is nc| ccnc|usitc cf |nc na||crs adjudica|cd |ncrcin and, |ncrcfcrc,
uncnfcrccao|c in |nis ccun|rq. |cr |nc sanc rcascn, sucn a judgncn| ui|| a|sc oc uncnfcrccao|c
undcr C|ausc (f) cf Scc|icn 13, sincc sucn a judgncn| ucu|d coticus|q oc in orcacn cf |nc
na|rincnia| |au in fcrcc in |nis ccun|rq.
In lhis caso }uslico Savanl cano foivaid ly solling oul spocific guidoIinos lo ioguIalo
naliinoniaI ioIalionship vhoio foioign oIononls aio piosonl. In alsonco of IogisIalion
ho Iaid dovn foIIoving IogaI noins foi lho iocognilion and onfoicononl of foioign
naliinoniaI docioos:
Tnc jurisdic|icn assuncd oq |nc fcrcign ccur| as uc|| as |nc grcunds cn unicn |nc rc|icf is
gran|cd nus| oc in acccrdancc ui|n |nc na|rincnia| |au undcr unicn |nc par|ics arc narricd
Tho onIy lhioo oxcoplions lo lhis iuIo voio aIso Iaid dovn ly lho couil ilsoIf as foIIovs:
O Whoio lho naliinoniaI aclion is fiIod in lho foiun vhoio lho iospondonl is
doniciIod oi haliluaIIy and poinanonlIy iosidos and lho ioIiof is gianlod on a
giound avaiIalIo in lho naliinoniaI Iav undoi vhich lho pailios aio naiiiod,

8

O Whoio lho iospondonl voIunlaiiIy and offoclivoIy sulnils lo lho juiisdiclion of
lho foiun as discussod alovo and conlosls lho cIain vhich is lasod on a giound
avaiIalIo undoi lho naliinoniaI Iav undoi vhich lho pailios aio naiiiod,
O Whoio lho iospondonl consonls lo lho gianl of ioIiof aIlhough lho juiisdiclion of
lho foiun is nol in accoidanco vilh lho piovisions of lho naliinoniaI Iav of lho
pailios.
Though lho concoin of lho honoialIo supiono couil of India is appiocialIo, lul il is
iospoclfuIIy sulnillod lhal lho guidoIino Iaid dovn ly lho couil lhal foioign couil nusl
assuno juiisdiclion in accoidanco vilh naliinoniaI Iav of lho pailios is nol in
confoinily vilh lho lasic unifoin iuIos of confIicl of Iavs. As poi lho iuIos, juiisdiclion
of lho couil is a piocoduiaI nalloi and piocoduio is govoinod ly lho Iox foii i.o.
donoslic Iav of lho foiun. ul as fai as lho as sulslanliaI Iav is concoinod lho couil is
coiiocl in ils saying lhal lho foioign couil nusl Iook inlo lho Iav undoi vhich pailios as
il is appiopiialo Iav.
Again in Nccraja scrapn t. jaqan| scrapn
10
, lho couil nado a nislako ly saying lhal
foioign couils shouId nol annuI lho naiiiagos vhon poifoinod in India. Ioi
safoguaiding lho inloiosls of vonon }uslico Sahai, in lhis judgnonl sol dovn lhioo
ioconnondalions, uiging lho Indian IogisIaluio lo givo lhon a lhoughlfuI
considoialion.
Thoy aio:
O No naiiiago lolvoon a NRI and an Indian vonan vhich has lakon pIaco in
India nay lo annuIIod ly a foioign couil,
O Iiovision nay lo nado foi adoqualo aIinony lo lho vifo in lho piopoily of lho
husland lolh in India and alioad.
O Tho docioo gianlod ly Indian couil nay l nado oxoculalIo in foioign couils
lolh on piincipIo of conily and ly onloiing inlo iocipiocaI agioononls Iiko
soclion 44-A of lho civiI piocoduio codo,19O8 vhich nakos a foioign docioo
oxoculalIo as il vouId havo loon a docioo passod ly lhal couil.
This is again conliaiy lo lho iuIos of confIicl of Iavs. Whon a poison is doniciIod oi
iosidonl in sono olhoi counliy, il is inappiopiialo lo ask hin lo cono and fighl caso in
India sinco naiiiago vas poifoinod hoio. Anolhoi poinl lo lo nolod is lhal Indian
couils ilsoIf oxoiciso juiisdiclion on lho lasis of lho haliluaI iosidonco and doniciIo.

10
(1994)6 SCC 461

9

osidos lhoso supiono couil casos lhoio aio vaiious high couils casos doaIing vilh lho
issuo. In Vccna Ka|ia t. a|indcr N. Ka|ia
11
, vas a caso vhoio lho NRI husland ollainod ox
pailo divoico docioo in Canada on giound nol avaiIalIo lo hin in India. Tho DoIhi High
Couil hoId lhal nol onIy did such divoico docioo nol lai divoico polilion ly vifo in
India as il couId nol acl as ios judicala, il aIso did nol lai appIicalions foi nainlonanco
fiIod ly lho vifo in hoi divoico polilion.
Tho couil aIso Iookod inlo lho ciicunslancos in vhich lho vifo did nol conlosl lho
huslands divoico polilion in Canada- lhal sho had no noans lo conlosl lho piocoodings
lhoio and lho docioo of divoico vas passod as sho vas unalIo lo appoai and conlosl lho
piocoodings as lho piohililivo cosl of going lo Canada and olhoi ciicunslancos
disalIod hoi and hoi husland look fuII advanlago of lhal handicap. AIso, lho onIy
giound on vhich lho husland soughl divoico vas lhal lhoio had loon a poinanonl
lioakdovn of lho naiiiago, vhich vas nol a giound of divoico iocognizod undoi lho
Indian Iav.
Anolhoi judgnonl vas passod ly lho Madias High Couil in lho caso of Harncc|a Singn
t. Raja| Tancja
12
, lho vifo vas dosoilod ly hoi husland vilhin 6 nonlhs of hoi naiiiago
as sho vas conpoIIod lo Ioavo lho naliinoniaI hono vilhin 3 nonlhs of joining hoi
husland in lho US. Whon sho fiIod a suil foi nainlonanco undoi lho Hindu Adoplion
and Mainlonanco Acl in India, lho High Couil disposod of lho inloiin appIicalion in lho
suil ly passing an oidoi of iosliainl againsl lho husland fion conlinuing vilh lho
piocoodings in lho US Couil in lho divoico polilion fiIod ly lho husland lhoio and aIso
asking hin lo pIaco a copy of lho oidoi of lho High Couil lofoio lho US Couil.
Tho couil nado sono olhoi olsoivalions vhiIo passing lhis oidoi, nainIy lhal ovon if
lho husland succoodod in ollaining a divoico docioo in lho US lhal docioo vouId lo
unIikoIy lo iocoivo iocognilion in India as lho Indian couil had juiisdiclion in lho nalloi
and lho juiisdiclion of lho US couils vouId havo lo lo oslalIishod undoi soclion 13,
CIC. Tho couil lhon said lhal liII lho US docioo vas iocognizod in India, ho vouId lo
hoId guiIly of connilling ligany in India and vouId lo IialIo lo faco ciininaI aclion
foi lhal. Tho couil aIso said lhal sinco vifos slay in lho US vas voiy liansionl,
lonpoiaiy and casuaI, and sho nay nol lo financiaIIy capalIo of piosoculing lho
Iiligalion in lho US couil, lho DoIhi couils vouId lo lho foiun of convonionco in lho
nalloi.
If vo anaIyzo aII lho casos coIIoclivoIy, ono piolIon vhich conos oul fion aII lhoso
casos is Iinping naiiiago, in vhich coupIo has lho slalus of husland and vifo in ono

11
Al8 1996 uel 34
12
102(2003)uL1 822

10

counliy and nol in olhoi counliy. IiolIon is aiising nainIy locauso of lvo ioasons,
fiisl is, non appIicaliIily of appiopiialo Iav i.o. undoi vhich pailios gol naiiiod,
socondIy, aII docisions aio givon ox-pailo i.o., vilhoul giving lho olhoi paily
oppoilunily of loing hoaid. As fai as juiisdiclion is concoinod couils aio coiiocl in
oxoicising juiisdiclion if counliys piocoduiaI Iav givos lho couil juiisdiclion lo oxoiciso
il. Il is unifoin iuIo of lho confIicl of Iavs lhal counliy viII appIy ils ovn piocoduiaI
Iav in dociding lho caso. ul lho sulslanlivo Iav vhich nusl lo appIiod in undoi vhich
lho pailios gol naiiiod as il is lho appiopiialo Iav. Accoiding lo sono Indian aulhois,
in aII lhoso casos insload of chaIIonging lho juiisdiclion, vhich is inconsislonl vilh iuIos
of confIicl of Iavs, lho couil couId havo disposod of aII lho casos on lho slionglh of lho
lasis of audi aIloian pailon, in lho sonso lhal in aII casos lho docioos of dissoIulion
voio ollainod vilhoul giving lho olhoi paily an oppoilunily lo dofond lhoii caso.

PO5ITION OF RECOGNITION IN ENGLI5H LAW
Rocognilion of docioo of divoico in LngIand is govoinod ly lho faniIy Acl, 1986. In
oxanining lho iuIos il is nocossaiy lo dislinguish lolvoon judiciaI divoicos and
iocognilion of oxlia-judiciaI divoicos.
1. Ciounds foi iocognilion of judiciaI divoico
}udiciaI divoico ollainod ovoisoas quaIifios foi lho iocognilion if:
O Il is offoclivo undoi lho Iav of lho counliy in vhich lho divoico vas
ollainod, oi
O Iaily(s) haliluaIIy iosidonl in lho counliy in vhich divoico vas ollainod,
oi
O Iaily(s) doniciIod in lhal counliy accoiding lo LngIish Iav oi doniciIod
in lhal counliy accoiding lo lho Iav of lhal counliy in faniIy nallois, oi
O Iaily(s) a nalionaI of lhal counliy.
Undoi liadilionaI connon Iav lho facl lhal divoico vas invaIid undoi lho Iav of lho
counliy in vhich il vas ollainod vas nol nocossaiy an olslacIo lo ils iocognilion. ul
undoi lho faniIy acl of 1986, a foioign divoico cannol lo iocognizod on any giound
unIoss il is offoclivo undoi lho Iav of lho counliy in vhich il vas ollainod. If divoico is
inoffoclivo undoi lho Iav, locauso o.g. foioign couil Iackod juiisdiclion undoi ils ovn
Iav lo gianl divoico docioos, oi locauso of sono piocoduiaI iiioguIaiilios, lho divoico
cannol lo iocognizod in LngIand.
2. Ciounds foi iocognilion of divoico ollainod ly olhoiviso noans of piocoodings
(oxlia-judiciaI divoicos)

11

Tho vaIidily of an ovoisoas divoico ollainod ly oxlia-judiciaI piocoodings can lo
iocognizod if:
O Tho divoico is offoclivo undoi lho Iav of lho counliy in vhich il vas
ollainod and
O Al dalo on vhich il vas ollainod: (i) oilhoi paily lo lho naiiiago vas
doniciIod in lhal counliy oi (ii) oilhoi paily lo lho naiiiago vas
doniciIod in lhal counliy and lho olhoi paily vas doniciIod in a counliy
undoi vhoso Iav lho divoico is iocognizod as vaIid, and
O Noilhoi paily lo lho naiiiago vas haliluaIIy iosidonl in lho UK
lhioughoul lho poiiod of ono yoai innodialoIy piocoding lhal dalo

3. Ciounds foi iofusing lho iocognilion of divoico
Soclion 51 of lho faniIy acl Iays dovn oxcIusivo Iisl on lho giounds on vhich
iocognilion nay lo doniod:
1. Ros judicala i.o. ovoisoas divoico nay lo iofusod in LngIand and WaIos if
such docioo vas iiioconciIalIo vilh a docision doloinining lho quoslion of
lho sulsislonco oi vaIidily of lho naiiiago of lho pailios pioviousIy givon ly a
couil of civiI juiisdiclion in LngIand and WaIos oi ly a couil oIsovhoio and
iocognizo oi onlilIod lo lo iocognizod in LngIand and WaIos.
2. If il vas gianlod oi ollainod al a lino vhon accoiding lo LngIish Iav, lhoio
vas no sulsisling naiiiago lolvoon lho pailios.
3. If il vas ollainod ly judiciaI oi olhoi piocoodings vilhoul such slops having
loon lakon foi giving nolico of lho piocoodings lo paily lo lho naiiiago as
shouId havo loon lakon foi giving nolico of lho piocoodings.
4. If no oppoilunily vas piovidod lo lho olhoi paily lo naiiiago lo lako pail in
piocoodings as ioasonalIy shouId havo loon givon.
5. If il vouId nanifoslIy lo conliaiy lo pulIic poIicy.
If vo conpaio Indian Iav of iocognilion vilh LngIish Iav, lhoio is nol nuch diffoionco
in giounds Iaid dovn foi iocognilion and non-iocognilion. ul as piivalo inloinalionaI
Iav is noio judgos nado Iav, lhoio is Iol of diffoionco in appioach of judgos of India
and LngIand.
In LngIish Iav lhoio is no ioquiiononl lhal a paily shouId acluaIIy havo iocoivod nolico.
In 8 t. 8
13
, il vas hoId lhal lo iofuso lho iocognilion on lho giound of nolico lhoio nusl
lo sono fundanonlaI loach of naluiaI juslico. Tho noio facl lhal piovision of giving
nolico has nol loon conpIiod vilh is nol doloininalivo of lho issuo, il sinpIy gonoialos

13
(2000) 2 lL8 707

12

disciolion on lho pail of lho LngIish couil lo vholhoi lo iocognizo lho foioign divoico.
In Saooagn t. Saooagn
14
, a vifo in LngIand vho iocoivod nolico of hoi huslands iniliaI
unsuccossfuI appIicalion foi docioo of sopaialion in iaziI iocoivod no nolico of his
appoaI(vhich vas succossfuI) , vhich , in accoidanco vilh iaziIian Iav, vas onIy
pulIishod in lho officiaI gazollo in iaziI a pulIicalion nol noinaIIy ciicuIalod in
Hondon, vhoio vifo Iivod. Il vas hoId lhal, dospilo lho iaziIian piocoduios having
loon piopoiIy conpIiod vilh, sho had nol iocoivod ioasonalIo nolico. Hovovoi, lho
couil iofusod lo oxoiciso ils disciolion lo iofuso iocognilion lo lho docioo locauso, in aII
ciicunslancos, sho had nol loon piojudicod as sho had aIioady nado a docision nol lo
lako pail in lho piocoodings.
In cqcc t. cqcc
15
, a vifo in LngIand had loon givon nolico of piocoodings in Quoloc, lul
dospilo Iollois ly hoi LngIish soIiciloi lo lho iogisliai of lho couil, lho huslands Iavyoi,
lho huslands Iavyoi, lho Quoloc Iav socioly and lho IogaI aid aulhoiilios lhoio, slalod
lhal sho vishod lo conlosl lho piocoodings and lho caso conlinuod vilhoul hoi loing
iopiosonlod. And a docioo vas gianlod lo husland in dofauIl. Il vas hoId lhal lho vifo
had nol loon givon such oppoilunily lo lako pail in piocoodings as sho shouId
ioasonalIy havo loon givon.
In India najoi piolIon is lhal dospilo lho nolicos vifo do nol havo adoqualo financos lo
go alioad lo dofond lhonsoIvos and docisions aio givon ox-pailo and Ialloi nol
iocognizod. In LngIand in such silualions couils havo givon docisions on caso lo caso
lasis. In Mandani t. Mandani
16
, il vas hoId lhal an inaliIily lo affoid lo go lo lho
foioign counliy lo dofond piocoodings and Iack of IogaI aid avaiIalIo lhoio voio
ioIovanl considoialion vholhoi a spouso had loon givon a ioasonalIo oppoilunily lo
lako pail in piocoodings. Hovovoi, in Suooagn t. suooagn, il vas concIudod lhal an
inpocunious vifo had nol loon doniod an oppoilunily lo lako pail in lho piocoodings
locauso sho had nado no allonpl lo appIy foi IogaI aid oi sook financiaI assislanco fion
hoi faniIy.
On giound of pulIic poIicy in Kc||nan t. Kc||nan
17
, il vas hoId lhal puo|ic pc|icq shouId
lo usod spaiingIy in lho confIicl of Iavs and lho void 'nanifoslIy onphasis lhal lhis is
'a voiy high huidIo lo cIoai . Undoi lho Acl of 1986, lho fiaud can lo a giound foi
iofusaI of iocognilion onIy if ono paily docoivod lho olhoi and lho foioign couil.
In Kcnda|| t. Kcnda||, lho husland fiauduIonlIy piocuiod lho connoncononl of
piocoodings in oIivia puipoilodIy ly lho vifo vilhoul hoi knovIodgo, ly ollaining

14
(1983) lL8 29
13
(1979) lam 699
16
(1984) lL8 699
17
(2000) 1 lL8 783

13

hoi signaluio on a docunonl vhich ho loId hoi vas lo onalIo hoi lo lako lho chiIdion
oul of oIivia, lul in facl vas a povoi of alloinoy in favoui of oIivian Iavyoi lo slail
divoico piocoodings on hoi lohaIf. A divoico vas lhon gianlod, puipoilodIy lo lho vifo,
ly lho oIivian couil on lho lasis of faIso ovidonco and vilnossos lhal lhoy had soon lho
husland assauIl lho vifo. Tho LngIish couil hoId lhal il vouId lo 'nanifoslIy conliaiy
lo pulIic poIicy lo iocognizo lho divoico.
Anolhoi silualion in vhich LngIish couils havo iofusod lo iocognizo lho foioign divoico
is if lho inslilulion of lho piocoodings vas lho iosuIl of duioss. In lho connon Iav caso
of Rc Mcqcr
18
, lho pailios voio Coinans, lho husland, lul nol lho vifo, loing }ovish. In
1938, vhon }ovs voio poisoculod, lho husland, lho husland oscapod lo LngIand. Tho
vifo lhon divoicod hin in Coinan couil, as aiiangod lolvoon lhon lofoio ho Iofl. Tho
nocossily foi lho divoico vas lhal if sho ionainod naiiiod lo a }ov, sho hoisoIf vouId
lo in dangoi. Afloi lho vai, lho vifo joinod lho husland in LngIand, vhoio lhoy
iogaidod lhonsoIvos as sliII husland and vifo. On lho huslands doalh, lho vifos iighl
lo a Coinan ponsion as lho vidov of a poison vho had loon poisoculod ly lho Nazis
dopondod on vholhoi, in lho viov of lho LngIish couil, sho vas sliII naiiiod lo hoi
husland al his doalh. Tho couil gianlod a docIaialion lhal lho Coinan docioo vas nol
iocognizod in LngIand locauso il had loon ollainod undoi duioss. Undoi lho Acl lho
iocognilion of divoico ollainod in such ciicunslancos vouId lo iogaidod as nanifoslIy
conliaiy lo pulIic poIicy.











18
(1971) fam 79

14


CONCL&5ION
In lho ond il can lo said lhal lhis finaI slago doponds Iol on piioi slagos. If juiisdiclion is
oxoicisod vilh piopoi piocaulion and choico of Iav is appiopiialo lho couils of olhoi
counliy viII nol lo ioIuclanl in iocognizing and onfoicing lho judgnonls. Tho caso Iavs
discussod alovo juslifios lhis sland as in nosl of lho casos vhoio iocognilion has loon
doniod oilhoi lho juiisdiclion vas nol assunod in coiiocl nannoi oi appIicalIo Iav vas
nol appiopiialo. Anolhoi facloi vhich doloininos lho iocognilion is loIoianco of slalos
lovaids lho olhoi syslons of lho voiId. So lho nood foi a unifoin syslon of iocognilion
loconos a nusl.