Searching Case Laws & Precedent on Legal Query.....!
Analysing the retrieved Case Laws
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Searching Case Laws & Precedent on Legal Query.....!
Analysing the retrieved Case Laws
Scanned Judgements…!
In the context of international or governmental bodies, the constitution or bylaws often specify the process for amendments, and tradition alone does not suffice unless codified through proper legal procedures ["SARANG DHAR RAI VS GIRI INSTITUTE OF DEVELOPMENT STUDIES - Allahabad"], ["Syed Azmat Hussain VS Regional Institute Of Technology, Jamshedpur - Jharkhand"].
Analysis and Conclusion:
References:- ["Animal Welfare Board Of India VS Union Of India - 2023 0 Supreme(SC) 543"]- ["SARANG DHAR RAI VS GIRI INSTITUTE OF DEVELOPMENT STUDIES - Allahabad"]- ["HIMACHAL PRADESH NIZI VYAVSAYIK PRISHIKSHAN KENRDA SANGH VS STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH - Himachal Pradesh"]- ["Syed Azmat Hussain VS Regional Institute Of Technology, Jamshedpur - Jharkhand"]- ["EVANGELICAL CHURCH OF INDIA VS REV. CHAMAN LAL SINGH - Himachal Pradesh"]- ["MANJU SHARMA VS INDIAN COUNCIL FOR RESEARCH ON INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC RELATIONS - Delhi"]- ["Syed Azmat Hussain VS Regional Institute Of Technology, Jamshedpur - Jharkhand"]
In the world of organizational governance, especially for international associations and boards of governors, questions often arise about how rules evolve. A common dilemma is whether a tradition of practice—a long-standing custom followed by members—can effectively amend the constitution or governing rules. For instance, can a tradition of practice be seen as an amendment to the constitution of the running of a board of governors (international association)?
This issue is particularly relevant for non-profits, educational bodies, and international entities where boards oversee critical decisions. While traditions foster community and continuity, they raise legal questions about enforceability. This post delves into the legal distinctions, drawing from judicial precedents and governance principles. Note: This is general information, not specific legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for your situation.
Generally, a tradition of practice is not regarded as an amendment to the constitution or rules governing a Board of Governors or international association. Traditions represent customary conduct shaped by the organization's community over time, but formal amendments demand adherence to prescribed procedures, such as approvals by a governing body or statutory authority. Courts consistently differentiate these, emphasizing that practices alone do not alter the legal framework. TAN BOON LIEU & ORS vs CHEOW TONG CHAI & ANOR - 2003 MarsdenLR 579TAN BOON LIEU vs CHEOW TONG CHAI - 2004 MarsdenLR 1837
This principle ensures stability and prevents informal habits from undermining structured governance. For example, election procedures followed for years might feel entrenched, but without formal adoption, they remain separate from constitutional changes.
These points highlight why organizations must distinguish between informal evolution and binding legal shifts.
Traditions often emerge from repeated actions, like specific election methods or decision-making protocols. In one case, appellants argued, The above procedure has been and still is the traditional accepted practice and election procedure accepted by the members of the Association for all these years.TAN BOON LIEU & ORS vs CHEOW TONG CHAI & ANOR - 2003 MarsdenLR 579 Despite this history, courts ruled it customary, not amendatory. **TAN BOON LIEU vs CHEOW TONG CHAI - 2004 MarsdenLR 1837
This mirrors broader governance contexts, such as educational societies. For Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, a Board of Governors approved fee revisions in its 84th meeting on July 29, 2009, following formal processes under government oversight—not mere tradition. Niranjan Mishra VS Union of India - 2012 Supreme(Ori) 372 Such examples underscore that even government-linked boards adhere to structured approvals.
Amendments to constitutions, bylaws, or memoranda of association (MOA) typically involve:- Approval by the general body with a specified majority.- Ratification by statutory authorities or courts where required.- Documentation and notification to members.
Failure invites invalidation. In D. Dwarakanatha Reddy VS Chaitnya Bharathi Educational Society - 2007 3 Supreme 974 and K. LAKSHMINARAYANAN VS UNION OF INDIA - 2018 0 Supreme(SC) 1226, courts stressed, amendments must follow prescribed rules; traditions cannot substitute. Similarly, Board of Control for Cricket in India VS Cricket Association of Bihar - 2022 0 Supreme(SC) 931 clarified that Board powers to amend still demand procedural fidelity, including authority approvals.
A pertinent case involved the Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management, where the Board of Governors (BOG) attempted to dissolve the Board of Trustees (BOT) via resolution. The court set it aside, ruling the MOA amendment invalid as it bypassed the Annual General Meeting and statutory requirements. Essential BOT functions—like fund management—could not be usurped, preserving checks and balances. **Dipendra Kumar Sanyal VS Director and Member Secretary Board of Governors (IISWBM) - 2023 Supreme(Cal) 1144
Courts value traditions for interpreting rules but stop short of legal equivalence. In D. Dwarakanatha Reddy VS Chaitnya Bharathi Educational Society - 2007 3 Supreme 974, social practices, even longstanding, do not override statutes. K. LAKSHMINARAYANAN VS UNION OF INDIA - 2018 0 Supreme(SC) 1226 echoed that mere practice suffices not for amendments.
In society governance, like Hyderabad Public School Society, board compositions evolved per revised bylaws approved by government orders, not unchecked customs. Reservations and memberships followed formal mandates under Article 15(4) of the Constitution, resisting informal dilutions. **Diddi Rambabu VS Principal, Hyderabad Public School, Ramanthapur - 1998 Supreme(AP) 323
For international-flavored associations, parallels appear in bodies like the Administrative Staff College of India. Despite eminent governors, it was deemed non-state, with governance via Court of Governors minus direct control—amendments would still need MOA procedures. **Administrative Staff College of India, Hyderabad VS D. P. Seshachalam - 1988 Supreme(AP) 559
While traditions rarely amend constitutions:- They may influence rule interpretation or operational conduct, aiding flexibility.- Courts might recognize them as customary evidence in disputes, but not as binding changes unless formally adopted.
In IIT contexts, director appointments followed statutes like Section 17 of the IIT Act, 1961—not traditions. Dr. M. S. Ananth, Director of I. I. T. , Madras & Another VS Dr. E. Muralidharan & Others - 2009 Supreme(Mad) 2518 Fee hikes or liens in institutes like IITTM required Board resolutions, not habits. **Sitikantha Mishra VS Union of India - 2012 Supreme(Ori) 126
To navigate this:- Formalize changes promptly via competent approvals to ensure validity.- Document traditions separately to prevent disputes, clarifying their non-amendatory status.- Audit practices regularly, verifying if they've been ratified or remain informal.
For international associations, align with host-country laws and internal statutes, as seen in bar associations or global institutes where boards (e.g., Oregon State Bar) operate under integrated rules. **Daniel Crowe vs Oregon State Bar - 2021 Supreme(US)(ca9) 67
In summary, traditions enrich organizational life but do not amend constitutions governing Boards of Governors or international associations. Formal procedures safeguard integrity, as affirmed across cases. Key takeaways:- Prioritize procedural compliance for lasting changes.- Leverage traditions for culture, not law.- Seek legal review to bridge custom and constitution.
Leaders in associations should proactively govern to avoid challenges, like those quashing informal BOT dissolutions. Dipendra Kumar Sanyal VS Director and Member Secretary Board of Governors (IISWBM) - 2023 Supreme(Cal) 1144 This approach fosters trust and resilience.
Disclaimer: This article provides general insights based on precedents. Laws vary by jurisdiction; professional advice is essential.
#BoardGovernance, #LegalTradition, #ConstitutionAmendment
; veterinary training and practice”. ... In the case of Animal Welfare Board of India -vs- A. ... In the Preamble to the Amendment Act, Jallikattu has been described to be part of culture and tradition of Tamil Nadu. In the case of A. ... We shall next test the argument of the authorities, i.e., the Union, the three States as also the Animal Welfare Board (in their changed stance) that bovine sports are part of the culture and tradition of the respective States. ... Hence, we reject th....
The constitution of Board of Governors and members of the institute faculty. The constitution of Board of Governors is provided in Rule 7 which reads as under : ... “7 Board of Governors : ... 1. The Chairman ... 2. The Vice-Chairman. ... ... The manner of constitution of Board of Governors is provided in Rule 8 which reads as under : ... 1. “The Chairman and the Vice-Chairman shall be elected b....
A perusal of the said letters shows that the Board adopted this policy keeping in mind the need to assure reliability and quality performance of the governors and its spare parts in the context of sophistication, complexity and high degree of precision associated with governors. ... It is with this limited object if we scrutinise the policy reflected in the letter dated 23-10-1992, it is seen that the Railways took the decision to create a monopoly on proprietary basis on EDC on the ground that the spares required by it ....
... However, liberty is given to the Board of Governors to make amendment of the Memorandum of Association/Bye-laws or the Rules in accordance with law. ... 24. ... The State Government of Jharkhand has no jurisdiction to appoint the Chairman of the Board of Governors of R.I.T., Jamshedpur, till the Memorandum of Association/Bye-laws/Rules are amended by the competent authority/Board of Governors, in accordance with law. ... #HL_STA....
Though the Constitution was not registered but the Association continued to work on the Constitution adopted which was lateron registered as a separate society. ... India Conference- The Constitution of the Board of Governors as laid down in sub-rule (2) of Rule III of the said Rules and Regulations is the Area Directors and others duly elected by the All India Conference. ... Both the organizations deal with each other at the level of Board of Governors#HL_....
of Government of India and as such the fee structures and its enhancement also decided by the said Board of Governors. ... Accordingly, the Board of Governors approved the revised fee structure in its 84th Meeting, which was held on 29th July, 2009. ... Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan is functioning through its General Body called the Sangathan, its Board of Governors and three Standing Committees constituted by the Board viz., the Finance Committee, the Academic Advisor....
From this it is seen that while two members of the General Body of the Society elected and one parent of a student studying in the school elected by parents' teachers association, the rest of the Board of Governors are Government Officials and they shall cease to be members of the Board of Governors, ... Unless the Board of Governors recommends appointment of a person as member of the society he cannot be taken as a member of the general body of the ....
OREGON STATE BAR, a Public Corporation; OREGON STATE BAR BOARD OF GOVERNORS; VANESSA A. ... NORDYKE, President of the Oregon State Bar Board of Governors; CHRISTINE CONSTANTINO, President- elect of the Oregon State Bar Board of Governors; HELEN MARIE HIERSCHBIEL, Chief Executive Officer of the Oregon State Bar; KEITH PALEVSKY, Director of Finance and Operations of the Oregon State Bar; AMBER ... OSB is an integrated bar, meaning lawyers must join it and pay an annual membership fee to ....
It can, therefore, be seen that barring the provision for nomination of one person by the Government of India, the Government has absolutely no manner of control over the constitution of the Court of Governors. ... International Airport Authority (1979-II-LLJ 217) ajay Hasia v. Khalid Mujib (1981-I-LLJ-103)Ajay Hasia v. ... of the Court of Governors. ... The Board of Governors, which is in charge of general superintendence, direction and control of the affairs of Soci....
governors. ... The present writ petition has been preferred against the decision taken on May 30, 2017 in a meeting of the Board of Governors (BOG) of the Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management (hereinafter referred to as, “the Institute”) whereby the President opined that the Board of Trustees ... Accordingly, WPO No.1137 of 2023 is allowed on contest, thereby setting aside the impugned decision of the Board of Governors by the resolution adopted by it on May 30, 2....
On 15th May 2010, the MCI was superseded by way of an amendment in the MCI Act and replaced by Boards of Governors of seven persons. As per this amendment, the Board of Governors were to carry out the function as a Council. In this inspection report as well, it is stated that the auditorium is not available and is required at the time of admission of 5th batch of MBBS students.
As far as service conditions of the regular teaching and non-teaching employees who had entered the service of the institute, prior to the issuance of resolution, through the Society continued to be the employees of the Government, whereas those appointed after, would be the employees of the Society and governed by the service conditions stipulated by the Society. It contemplated constitution of Board of Governors with a tenure of 5 years to its members and the functioning of the institution was to be carried forth through the Board of Governors. The emphasis in both the Go....
It has further held in paragraph 97 of said Report as follows: It is true that if a policy framed in the field of education or other fields runs counter to the constitutional provisions or the philosophy behind those provisions, this Court must, as part of its constitution duty, interdict such policy." The Court has to keep in mind the above limitations on its jurisdiction and power. "It cannot, however, compel that a particular practice or tradition followed in framing and implementing the policy, mus be adhered to.
It is managed by a Board of Governors as per the terms of its Constitution, Rules & Regulations & byelaws. The Director of IITTM is its Chief Executive Officer & the Secretary of Board of Governors & has the duty & responsibility to look after the day to day administration & implementation of the decision of the Board of Governors & the Ministry of Tourism. Its headquarters is situated at Gwalior & its Eastern Regional Centre has been established at Bhubaneswar.
(c) such other authorities as may be declared by the statutes to be the authorities of the Institute. Section 17(1) stipulates that the Director of each Institute shall be appointed by the Council with the prior approval of the Visitor. Section 11 lays down the constitution of the Board of Governors for an Institute. Section 31 of Chapter III deals with "The Council", which is a central body established by the Central Government.
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