Practice area

Land, revenue and municipal matters

Writ petitions and appeals on land acquisition, revenue records, conversion, building approvals and municipal action.

Land and municipal disputes involve revenue authorities, planning bodies and civic authorities, each with its own statute and appeal process. The High Court hears writ petitions and statutory appeals when those processes fail or are not adequate.

What this work involves

• Land acquisition: challenges to notifications and awards, and compensation disputes
• Revenue records: mutation, khata, record of rights and orders of revenue officers
• Land conversion and change of land use
• Building plan sanction, completion and occupancy, and notices of demolition or sealing
• Encroachment proceedings and removal notices
• Orders of development authorities and civic bodies
• Challenges to orders of revenue tribunals and appellate authorities

Approach

The title documents, revenue records and the notice history are reviewed first. Because these disputes often involve a hearing before an officer, the record made before the authority is critical, and advice at the notice stage can avoid later litigation.

Frequently asked questions

Can I go straight to the High Court against a demolition notice?

Often the statute provides an appeal or a reply process first. The High Court may hear urgent writs where action is imminent or the notice is without jurisdiction.

Does the High Court decide title disputes?

Complex title disputes are generally for civil courts. The High Court's writ jurisdiction focuses on the legality of the authority's action.

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