Commercial court cases for businesses in Delhi NCR

A commercial court is a court set up under the Commercial Courts Act, 2015 to hear business disputes worth Rs 3 lakh or more, such as unpaid invoices, breach of contract, partnership and shareholder agreements, franchise and distribution, construction, and trademark and copyright cases. It works to stricter timelines than an ordinary civil court.

Collect the purchase order or contract, the invoices, delivery proof, the ledger and any emails or messages admitting the dues. Then send a clear legal notice. If that does not work, most commercial suits need pre-institution mediation under Section 12A before filing, unless you need urgent relief from the court.

It depends on the court and on whether the other side contests. Summary suits on clear documents and cases that settle in mediation can finish much sooner than a full trial. The Act fixes hard limits for some steps, such as 120 days at most for the written statement and 60 days for an appeal.

For most commercial suits, yes. Section 12A requires pre-institution mediation through the Legal Services Authority unless the suit asks for urgent interim relief. The Supreme Court has held this to be mandatory, and plaints filed without it have been rejected.

The written statement is due within 30 days of service of summons, and the court can extend this to a maximum of 120 days. After 120 days the right to file a defence is lost. In a summary suit the timelines are shorter: 10 days to enter appearance and 10 days to seek leave to defend.

In Delhi, commercial suits up to Rs 2 crore are heard by the commercial courts in the district courts, and suits above Rs 2 crore by the Commercial Division of the Delhi High Court. Which district depends on where the defendant works or where the cause of action arose. Check the current pecuniary limit before filing.