Lexis Nexis’s The Law of Contract by P C Markanda (2 Volumes) – 6th Edition 2026.

Modern commercial litigation goes far beyond basic offer and acceptance; it requires navigating complex government tenders, multi-tier arbitration clauses, and international engineering standards. The Law of Contract (6th Edition, 2026), published by LexisNexis, is engineered exactly for these high-stakes environments. Originating from the brilliant legal mind of Dr. P.C. Markanda—a civil engineer turned Senior Advocate—this 2-volume masterpiece offers a comprehensive and critical examination of the Indian Contract Act, 1872, perfectly bridging theory with heavy infrastructure and commercial practice.

Government Contracts, Tenders & FIDIC

What sets this treatise apart from purely academic textbooks is its heavy lean into practical infrastructure and public procurement law:

• Public Contracts: Specialized chapters decoding the strict legal nuances of negotiating, executing, and challenging Government Contracts and Tenders.

• The Litigator’s Toolkit (Volume 2 Appendices): An entire section dedicated to the statutes that govern contract enforcement, heavily covering the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, and The Specific Relief Act, 1963.

• Engineering & Infrastructure: Detailed commentary integrating Military Engineer Services (MES), Public Works Department (PWD) standards, and international FIDIC Conditions of Contract with all updated amendments.

Contemporary Challenges & Landmark Precedents

The commentary explores core concepts such as formation, consideration, capacity, and remedies for breach, while fiercely addressing contemporary challenges like online coercion, undue influence, and unconscionability:

• International Jurisprudence: Draws on comparative perspectives from advanced jurisdictions, including judgments from Canada, Australia, and the UK.

• Latest Indian Case Law: Fully updated to include critical recent precedents shaping corporate liability, including:

  • ABCI Infrastructure Pvt Ltd v UOI

  • Abhin Narula v High Court of Delhi

  • Bangalore Electricity Supply Co Ltd v Hirehall Solar Power Project LLP

  • Bulk LPG Transport Contractors Association v UOI

Who Should Buy This Book?

• Law Firms & Legal Practitioners: The ultimate courtroom reference for arguing breach of contract, specific performance, and tender disqualifications.

• Infrastructure Firms & Government Contractors: Essential for managing regulatory risks during government contract negotiations and PWD/FIDIC project execution.

• Arbitrators & Consultants: A foundational manual for navigating complex dispute resolution in large-scale commercial and civil engineering projects.

About the Legendary Author

Dr. P.C. Markanda (Late)

Dr. P.C. Markanda was a legendary legal visionary, widely revered as the “Father of Indian Arbitration.” Possessing a highly unique background, he initially started his career as a civil engineer before transitioning to law. He ultimately went on to earn a Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) and was designated as a Senior Advocate.

Over several decades, he built an unparalleled reputation in national and international dispute resolution, serving as the Vice-President of the Indian Council of Arbitration (ICA). Drawing from his engineering roots, his specialized works perfectly navigate heavy infrastructure disputes and structural claims. Today, his enduring legal legacy is carried forward by his family’s firm, Markanda Advocates, with his authoritative textbooks regularly updated by legal experts Naresh Markanda (Senior Advocate) and Rajesh Markanda (Advocate) to ensure they remain the absolute benchmark in Indian courts.

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