India, May 4 -- The law is often described as a living organism, evolving with society and responding to emerging challenges. Yet, many of its "settled principles" remain frozen in time, shaped by contexts that no longer exist. The danger lies not in having solid doctrines, but in treating them as immutable truths. In a rapidly transforming India, marked by disruptive technologies, complex markets and heightened rights consciousness, several fundamental assumptions in civil law, merit a careful relook.

For example, deeply entrenched - and seldom examined - is the assumption that title suits are inherently complex, while mutation proceedings are simple, summary exercises. In practice, both forums often grapple with the same triad, viz., c...