In a breaking development, the Calcutta High Court has lifted the stay order on the recruitment of civil judges who qualified the West Bengal Judicial Services Exam, 2022. Justice Arindam Mukherjee dismissed multiple pleas which had challenged the conduct of the exams. Due to the pendency of the matter, the process of recruitment had been stayed by the High Court, and as a result, no civil judges had been appointed in the state of West Bengal from 2022 onwards. Even the candidates who had qualified the recruitment process after a preliminary exam, mains exam and interview. Lifting of the stay order paves the way for the appointment of civil judges in the state for the first time since 2022, and will thus alleviate the burden on the state's existing judicial infrastructure. In a significant judgment relating to International Commercial Arbitration, the Supreme Court today (March 18) ruled that in the absence of an express law governing the arbitration agreement, the applicable law should be determined based on the parties' intentions, with a strong presumption in favor of the law governing the main contract (lex contractus). The bench comprising Chief. In a crucial step towards strengthening the legal and humanitarian support for the violence-struck State of Manipur, six Supreme Court Judges will visit the State on March 22 on the occasion of the Duodecennial Celebration of the High Court of Manipur. The purpose of the visit is to stress on need for humanitarian and legal support for affected communities. Nearly two years after the devastating sectarian violence of May 3, 2023, which led to the loss of hundreds of lives and displaced over 50,000 people, many continue to seek refuge in relief camps across Manipur. This visit by the Supreme Court Judges highlights the ongoing need for legal and humanitarian assistance to these affected communities, NALSA said in a press release. As part of the visit, Justice Gavai will virtually inaugurate Legal Services Camps and Medical Camps across all districts of Manipur, as well as the new Legal Aid Clinics in Imphal East, Imphal West and Ukhrul districts. This will also include distribution of essential relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). The Legal Services Camps will connect IDPs with government welfare programs, ensuring access to vital benefits such as healthcare, pensions, employment schemes, and identity document reconstruction. Each participating State Department will outline at least five key schemes tailored to address the needs of the displaced population. A team of 25 specialized doctors from Chennai will conduct Medical Camps across all relief camps. Their services will continue for six additional days, ensuring sustained medical support, treatment, and access to essential medicines for displaced families. Notably, the NALSA and Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MASLSA) came together to help provide legal aid during the ethnic crisis. MASLSA also established 273 Special Legal Aid Clinics at relief camps, assisting IDPs in availing government benefits, lost documents, and medical aid.