The Delhi High Court held that the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) must obtain necessary clearances from foreign authorities before issuing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) in inter-country adoption cases.

The Court emphasized that such adoptions must comply not only with Indian law but also with the legal framework of the receiving country.

It observed that issuing an NOC without ensuring recognition abroad could create legal complications for the child and adoptive parents.

Stressing the need for coordination with foreign agencies, the Court clarified that prior approval from the receiving country is essential before facilitating inter-country adoption through issuance of an NOC.

[Gur Kaur Minor & Ors. v. UOI & Anr.]

The High Court of Australia ruled that India is entitled to sovereign immunity in proceedings seeking to enforce a $111 million arbitral award from the Antrix-Devas dispute.

A seven-judge Bench led by Chief Justice Stephen Gageler held that India's ratification of the New York Convention does not constitute a waiver of immunity.

The Court dismissed an appeal by CCDM Holdings, clarifying that the Convention lacks a "clear and unmistakable" intention to waive state immunity.

The ruling underscores that enforcement obligations remain subject to domestic procedural laws, overturning a previous finding that ratification equaled a submission to foreign jurisdiction.

[CCDM Holdings LLC v. The Republic of India]

A plea has been filed before the Bombay High Court seeking directions to repatriate the mortal remains of Indian seafarer Dixit Solanki, who died in a suspected missile/drone attack off the Oman coast during the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.

The petition, filed by his family, alleges administrative inaction by authorities, including the Union government, the Directorate General of Shipping, and officials of the Indian Embassy.

It argues that timely repatriation is a legal obligation and forms part of the right to dignity under Article 21, even after death.

Despite recovery of remains  by Sharjah Police, delays and lack of clarity have prompted the family to seek urgent judicial intervention.

[Amratlal Gokal Solanki & Anr. v. UOI & Ors.]

The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court ordered the Government of India to bring back a youth who was forcibly deported to Pakistan, stressing that human values and rights are above borders.

The Court noted that the young man had lived in India for most of his life and had pending applications for visa extension and citizenship.

It found that the deportation was carried out without properly considering his situation.

Emphasising humanitarian concerns, the Court directed the Ministry of Home Affairs to facilitate his return within a fixed time so he can pursue his legal rights in India.

[Sajjad Ahmed v. UOI & Ors.]

The United Nations’ Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement has come into force, marking a significant step toward the protection and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, including the high seas and the international seabed.

The treaty addresses long-standing governance gaps in regulating activities in ocean areas outside national control.

The agreement is now legally binding on the 81 countries that have ratified it, after crossing the required threshold of 60 ratifications.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the treaty strengthens international law amid accelerating climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, and builds on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea to advance coordinated global ocean protection.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that selective adherence to the UN Charter is undermining global order and setting a dangerous precedent.

Addressing the UN General Assembly, he said international law violations are no longer hidden but unfolding “live in 4K” before the world.

Guterres stressed that the UN Charter is a binding compact, not an optional menu, and called on all nations to fully and faithfully uphold its principles.

He expressed concern over rising conflicts, attacks on civilians, and growing inequality, cautioning that erosion of international law threatens peace, human rights, and multilateral cooperation worldwide.

The United Nations has criticised the recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela, warning it undermines fundamental principles of international law by using force against another state’s territorial integrity and political independence.

UN rights officials stated that the forcible seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife by U.S. commandos, supported by warplanes and naval assets, contravenes the UN Charter’s prohibition on the use of force. 

The UN human rights office said such unilateral interventions could worsen human rights conditions and global security, urging respect for sovereignty and that Venezuela’s future be determined by its own people.

At a UN Security Council meeting, member states also expressed concern over the operation’s legality and its broader implications for international norms.

The UAE has enacted a landmark overhaul of its Civil Transactions Law through a new Federal Decree Law, reducing the age of legal majority from 21 lunar years to 18 Gregorian years.

The reform allows 18-year-olds to independently enter contracts and manage financial affairs, aligning UAE civil law with global standards and existing labour and juvenile laws. The law also strengthens consumer protection, introduces duties of disclosure in contracts, clarifies remedies for defective goods, and recognises single-person companies.

It streamlines rules on insurance, construction contracts, compensation, and property rights, while enhancing safeguards for judicial integrity.

Aimed at legal certainty, the reform modernises civil law to reflect evolving social and business realities.

A major dispute on third-party litigation funding has reached the UK Privy Council, bringing the enforceability of funding arrangements under scrutiny.

Essar-linked OGD Services has challenged the enforcement of an arbitral award passed in favour of Norscot Rig Management.

The case will be argued before the Privy Council by senior Indian advocates Harish Salve KC and Nakul Dewan KC. The appeal comes against the backdrop of the UK Supreme Court’s PACCAR ruling, which unsettled the legality of certain funding models, and ongoing legislative efforts to reform the law.

The outcome is expected to have significant implications for the future of third-party litigation funding, both in the UK and internationally.

At the UN Security Council’s Open Debate on “Leadership for Peace”, India strongly criticised Pakistan’s internal political actions.

India’s Permanent Representative, Harish Parvathaneni, remarked that Pakistan has a “unique way of respecting the will of its people” by jailing former Prime Minister Imran Khan, banning his party, and granting lifetime immunity to its military chief.

India also termed Pakistan a “global epicentre of terror”, citing decades of cross-border terrorism and justifying the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.

The Delhi High Court directed the Ministry of External Affairs to facilitate contact between actress Celina Jaitly and her brother, Major (Retd.) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly, who has been detained in the UAE.

The plea arose after Celina claimed she had not received updates despite approaching the Embassy and using the MADAD portal. The brother’s wife opposed the request, stating that he preferred not to contact her

The Court held that the petitioner is entitled to communicate with her brother and asked the MEA to ensure he is informed that he may reach out.

[Celina Jaitly v. Union of India]

The Central Government informed the Supreme Court that it will bring back Sunali Khatun, a pregnant woman deported to Bangladesh, along with her 8-year-old son Sabir, purely on humanitarian grounds.

The assurance came during the Union’s appeal against a Calcutta High Court order on repatriation.

The Court noted that Sunali will be returned to Delhi and may be shifted to Birbhum, where her father resides. It also directed West Bengal to provide medical care for her pregnancy and ensure the welfare of the child.

The matter will be heard next on December 12.

[Union of India v. Bhodu Sekh & Ors.; Union of India v. Amir Khan & Ors.]

The Delhi High Court sought the Centre’s response on Christian Michel’s plea challenging the applicability of the India–UAE extradition treaty in light of the Extradition Act, 1962.

Michel contended that Section 21 of the Act prohibits prosecution for offences not expressly included in the extradition order, whereas Article 17 of the treaty permits trial for “connected offences,” creating an inconsistency.

He also assailed the trial court’s refusal to grant him release under Section 436A CrPC. The Court issued notice to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs, CBI and ED, and listed the matter for further hearing on January 9.

[Christian Michel v Union of India & Ors]