Private International Law – Module-
wise Book Summary
Module I – Introduction to Private International Law Nature and scope of
private international law – Theories and fundamental concepts -
Codification of Private International Law – Distinction between Public
International Law and Private International Law - Choice of Law – Renvoi –
Concept of Domicile
Module II – Jurisdiction Jurisdiction involving foreign elements – persons –
status and capacity - Jurisdiction over Corporations – Forum shopping –
Forum non-convenience – Anti-suit injunctions
Module III – Family and Property Law Family Law matters - validity and
effect of marriage - divorce - legitimacy - adoption – Recognition of Foreign
Adoptions - Adoption by foreign Parents - guardianship and maintenance -
property - transfer - succession - administration of estates.
Module IV – Contractual Relations and Tortious Liability Contract –
formation – Interpretation - Illegality and discharge – Torts – Double
Actionability rule – Insolvency Jurisdiction and effects of foreign insolvency
proceedings.
Module V – Foreign Judgment, Decrees and Awards Foreign judgment –
Recognition - Procedure and evidence – Stay of Proceeding – Proof of
foreign law – Enforcement of foreign judgments, decrees and Foreign
Arbitral Awards
Module I – Introduction to Private International Law
**Topics Covered:** Nature, scope, domicile, codification, renvoi, choice of law
**Recommended Books:**
Cheshire & North’s Private International Law – Detailed foundational concepts
including domicile and renvoi.
Dicey, Morris & Collins – Covers theories and choice of law rules comprehensively.
V.C. Govindaraj – Indian perspective on codification and domicile.
Paras & Peeyushi Diwan – Focus on Indian law and basic principles.
Module II – Jurisdiction
**Topics Covered:** Jurisdiction with foreign elements, status, corporations, forum
shopping, anti-suit injunctions
**Recommended Books:**
Dicey & Morris – Authoritative text on international jurisdiction.
Cheshire & North – Good coverage on status and corporations.
Setalvad – Indian take on jurisdiction.
Govindaraj – Indian court practice and precedent.
Module III – Family and Property Law
**Topics Covered:** Marriage, divorce, legitimacy, adoption, guardianship, succession
**Recommended Books:**
Cheshire & North – Marriage, legitimacy, succession.
Dicey & Morris – Comparative and case-based approach.
Paras & Peeyushi Diwan – Strong on Indian family law.
Govindaraj – Indian cross-border family issues.
Module IV – Contractual Relations and Tortious Liability
**Topics Covered:** Contract formation, interpretation, torts, double actionability,
insolvency
**Recommended Books:**
Dicey & Morris – Covers contracts, torts and double actionability.
Cheshire & North – Foreign contracts and tort principles.
Setalvad – Indian simplified explanation.
Module V – Foreign Judgments, Decrees and Awards
**Topics Covered:** Recognition, enforcement, arbitral awards, stay of proceedings
**Recommended Books:**
Dicey & Morris – Recognition/enforcement of foreign judgments.
Cheshire & North – Covers procedure and examples.
Govindaraj – Indian laws (CPC, Arbitration Act).
Setalvad – Practical Indian explanations.
📚 Free (Public-Domain or Controlled-access) Textbooks
1. Private International Law by Martin Wolff (1945)
A classic, out-of-copyright text, available in full PDF via the Internet Archive. While
dated, it remains a foundational resource on jurisdiction, choice of law, renvoi, double
actionability and enforcement of judgments. InfoBooks.org+15Internet
Archive+15Academia+15Chanakya National Law University
2. Private International Law by G.C. Cheshire (Internet Archive)
An older edition (early 1990s) freely available through Archive.org's controlled lending
program. Offers excellent coverage of theoretical foundations—including domicile,
jurisdiction, family law, contracts, torts, and enforcement. Internet Archive
🌐 Indian-focused / Contemporary Textbooks (Partial Access)
3. Indian Private International Law by Stellina Jolly & Saloni Khanderia (2021)
Part of Jindal Global Law School’s repository, with a free downloadable PDF (~4 MB).
This modern text offers a comparative and Indian-centric approach across jurisdiction,
choice of law, family law, contracts, and foreign judgments—closely matching your
syllabus. Pure JGUPerlego
4. LL.B. Lecture Notes (University of Delhi / CNLU, Patna)
Full course notes and slides covering all modules: introduction, jurisdiction, choice of
law, family and property law, contracts/torts, and enforcement of foreign judgments.
These align module-for-module with your syllabus and are freely downloadable.
