S.20 Specific Relief Act | Defendant Can Raise Plea Of Hardship Only If It Was Unforeseeable At Contract Formation: Supreme Court

The Delhi High Court dismissed an appeal under Section 34 of the Arbitration Act, challenging an arbitral award. The court upheld the award, emphasizing that a memorandum of family settlement does not require registration under the Registration Act. This decision clarifies that a family settlement is not subject to the formalities of registration if it is not transferring immovable property but merely documenting an agreement between family members. The ruling strengthens the principle that family settlements, aimed at resolving disputes within families, are treated differently from formal contracts involving third parties. This judgment underscores the flexibility of the family settlement process, focusing on its informal nature as a tool to resolve familial issues without the need for public registration.