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Really want to brush up (more like learn from scratch) CPC, arbitration and civil disputes in general.
I have been reading through the book- Arbitration in India (Wolters Kluwer) edited by Mr. Dushyant Dave, Mr. Fali Nariman etc. and it seems like a really good book.
Can anyone point to similar (preferably free) resources that would help me with bot only with my job but also acing any recruitment interviews I might have in the future.
https://www.legallyindia.com/convos/topic/458720-book-recommendations-for-a-new-advocate
https://www.legallyindia.com/convos/topic/185058-recommended-books-for-disputes
Echoing the previous sentiments, Key to Indian Practice for CPC. If you are familiar with the basic concepts, maybe try reading some commentary/more detailed book cover to cover. It helps. Most of them are not quite good, tbh. Sarkar's Civil Court Practice & Procedure Manual is relatively small in size (1500-2000 pages), but again, not very high quality (not many high quality books in this area).
For arbitration, you can also refer to Redfern & Hunter. Arbitration principles irrespective of jurisdiction are more-or-less the same. As for the Arbitration & Conciliation Act, read the recent significant judgments — Vidya Drollia, Cox & Kings, Gayatri Balasamy. They anyway discuss the prevailing legal position generally and the historical developments.
Generally to brush up on civil law, you can also read up on the relevant judgments prescribed for the AOR Paper-4 (Leading Cases).
Here is the list of cases: https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s3ec0490f1f4972d133619a60c30f3559e/uploads/2024/01/2024061128.pdf
Here are the cases, categorised: https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s3ec0490f1f4972d133619a60c30f3559e/documents/aorexam/22052023_104448.pdf
Based on the categories, I'd say look at Categories V, VI, VIII, XI, XIII.
Here are headnotes of several leading cases, irrespective of the list prescribed above:
Vol. I: https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s3ec0490f1f4972d133619a60c30f3559e/uploads/2025/05/2025052943.pdf
Vol. II: https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s3ec0490f1f4972d133619a60c30f3559e/uploads/2025/05/2025052839.pdf
Vol. III: https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s3ec0490f1f4972d133619a60c30f3559e/uploads/2025/05/2025050838.pdf
Rest, I'd say really depends on what HC you are at. Keep reading up on recent judgments passed by the judges sitting in the relevant roster. If you want general, broad knowledge, you can buy a couple of latest volumes of the court reporter (say, for DHC, DLT - though I strongly dislike reading it for the quality of paper used in comparison to, say, SCC - but SCC doesn't cover HC anyway so moot point).
Hope this helps
Thanks for taking your time out for such a detailed response. Hope the Admin can pin this thread for future reference
If you're looking to brush up on CPC particularly, read up the following provisions & leading caselaws on that. To find the caselaws, ideally perform a general search on SCC (etc.) and see which are the cases you find quoted the most in recent judgments. For eg, for Order 7 Rule 11, you'd find Sopan Sukhdeo & Dahiben cited in almost every judgment/order on Order 7 Rule 11. Read such judgments.
Here are some such provisions, and the judgments I can remember off the top of my head.
Section 20 - Patel Roadways, Harshad Chimanlal Modi
Order 1 Rule 10
Order 7 Rule 10 - EXL Careers v Frankfinn
Order 7 Rule 11 - Dahiben, Sopan Sukhdeo Sable, RK Roja v UOI
Order 12 Rule 6 - Thangam v Navamani (SC), Suzuki Motor (Del HC)
Order 39 Rules 1 & 2 - Wander v Antox, (Some Bottling Co) v Coca Cola
Read up on Commercial Courts Act! Especially Order XI as amended by it. Very, very critical. Order XIII-A.
Also: Specific Relief Act - Sections 34, 38, 41.
See how suits are to be valued. And remember, Court Fees Act is state-subject. See your state's. In Delhi, the Punjab Amendment from 1960-something applies.