Commercial Dispute Lawyer in Delhi

SRLM Law Associates advises businesses, traders and professionals on commercial disputes in Delhi — breach of contract, recovery of dues, partnership and shareholder conflicts, and arbitration. We represent clients before the Commercial Courts in Delhi’s districts, the Delhi High Court and arbitral tribunals, and help resolve disputes through mediation where that serves the client better. A commercial dispute lawyer in Delhi can often secure payment or performance faster through a well-timed notice, mediation or interim order than through a long trial.

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Key takeaways

Commercial disputes of a specified value of ₹3 lakh or more are heard by Commercial Courts under the Commercial Courts Act, 2015.
Pre-institution mediation under Section 12A is mandatory before filing a commercial suit, unless urgent interim relief is sought.
In commercial suits the written statement must be filed within a strict outer limit of 120 days from service of summons.
Where the contract has an arbitration clause, the dispute usually goes to arbitration under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.

Commercial matters we handle

Breach of contract — supply, service, distribution, franchise and agency agreements.
Recovery of dues — unpaid invoices, commercial suits and summary suits under Order XXXVII CPC.
Partnership and LLP disputes — dissolution, rendition of accounts and exit disputes.
Commercial property and lease disputes — rent, possession and lease terms for business premises.
Arbitration — interim measures (Section 9), appointment of arbitrators (Section 11), conduct of proceedings, and challenges to awards (Section 34).
Enforcement — execution of decrees and arbitral awards.
Cheque dishonour in business transactions — parallel civil recovery and Section 138 NI Act proceedings.

Commercial Courts in Delhi: key rules

Rule	What it means for you
Specified value ₹3 lakh or more	The dispute goes to a Commercial Court or the Commercial Division of the High Court.
Section 12A pre-institution mediation	Mediation through the legal services authority must be tried first, unless urgent interim relief is needed.
120-day limit for written statement	A defendant who misses the outer limit may lose the right to file a defence.
Case management hearing	The court fixes a timetable for evidence and arguments early in the case.
Summary judgment (Order XIII-A)	The court can decide a claim without full trial if the defence has no real prospect of success.

Suit or arbitration?

If your contract contains an arbitration clause, the other side can ask the court to refer the dispute to arbitration. Arbitration is private and can be faster, but involves arbitrator fees. A suit before the Commercial Court is public and follows the CPC as amended for commercial disputes. We review the contract, the amount involved and the urgency before recommending a route.

How we approach a commercial dispute

Contract and document review — agreements, purchase orders, invoices, emails and ledger statements.
Legal notice — setting out the claim and inviting payment or performance.
Mediation or negotiation — including mandatory pre-institution mediation where applicable.
Interim protection — injunctions or security orders to prevent assets being moved.
Suit or arbitration — pleadings, evidence and arguments.
Enforcement — execution of the decree or award.

Many disputes can be avoided at the drafting stage — see our contract drafting and vetting services. For non-commercial property and money claims, see our civil litigation practice.

Delayed payments to MSMEs

Micro and small enterprises registered under the MSMED Act, 2006 have additional protection when buyers delay payment.

Provision	What it provides
Section 15	Payment must be made by the agreed date, which cannot exceed 45 days from acceptance of goods or services.
Section 16	Compound interest at three times the bank rate notified by the RBI on delayed payments.
Section 18	Reference of the dispute to the Micro and Small Enterprises Facilitation Council for conciliation and arbitration.
Section 19	A buyer challenging the Council’s award must first deposit 75% of the awarded amount.

Suppliers should check their Udyam registration status and invoice terms before choosing between a Council reference, a commercial suit or arbitration.

Working with a commercial dispute lawyer in Delhi: what to expect

Your matter is reviewed by Advocate Shubham Mehta, who explains the legal position, the realistic options and the likely timeline in plain language before any step is taken. Choosing a commercial dispute lawyer in Delhi who practises regularly before the court that will hear your case helps you understand how that court approaches similar matters.

A clear explanation of your legal position and recommended next steps.
Drafts shared with you for review before anything is filed.
Hearing dates, updates and copies of orders communicated promptly.
Confidential handling of your documents and information.

Legal fees and costs

Fees depend on the nature and stage of the matter, the court or forum, the volume of documents and the number of hearings expected. The fee structure is explained in writing at the start of the engagement. Apart from professional fees, commercial suits attract court fees based on the claim value, mediation fees where applicable, and, in arbitration, arbitrators’ fees and administrative costs, which are usually shared between the parties.

Areas we serve in Delhi

Our chamber inside the Rohini Court complex and our office at Kayan Vihar are convenient for clients in Rohini, Pitampura, Shalimar Bagh, Ashok Vihar, Prashant Vihar, Model Town, Paschim Vihar, Narela, Bawana and nearby areas of North and North-West Delhi. We also act for clients from across Delhi NCR and, by phone or video consultation, for clients outside Delhi who need a commercial dispute lawyer in Delhi.

Useful official resources

India Code — official texts of central Acts, including the BNS, BNSS and BSA
Delhi High Court — cause lists, case status and judgments
Delhi State Legal Services Authority — mediation and free legal aid

Frequently asked questions

What is a commercial dispute under Indian law?

Section 2(1)(c) of the Commercial Courts Act, 2015 lists disputes arising from ordinary transactions of merchants and traders, export–import, franchising, distribution, partnership, joint ventures, construction contracts and commercial use of immovable property, among others. The dispute must also meet the specified value of ₹3 lakh or more.

Is mediation compulsory before filing a commercial suit?

Yes. Under Section 12A of the Commercial Courts Act, a plaintiff must first attempt pre-institution mediation unless the suit seeks urgent interim relief. The Supreme Court has held this requirement to be mandatory, so suits filed without it may be rejected.

How long do I have to challenge an arbitral award?

An application to set aside an award under Section 34 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act must generally be filed within three months of receiving the award, extendable by up to thirty days for sufficient cause. After that, the court cannot entertain the challenge.

Can I recover interest on unpaid invoices?

Interest may be claimed as agreed in the contract, and courts can also award interest under Section 34 CPC. Suppliers registered as micro or small enterprises may have additional rights to interest and to approach the MSME Facilitation Council under the MSMED Act, 2006.

What documents are needed for a recovery claim?

Keep the contract or purchase orders, invoices, delivery proofs, ledger statements, email or WhatsApp communications acknowledging the debt, and any legal notices sent. Acknowledgements of debt in writing can also extend the limitation period under Section 18 of the Limitation Act.

Can I secure the amount before the case is decided?

If there is a real risk that the defendant will dispose of assets to defeat a decree, the court can order attachment before judgment under Order XXXVIII Rule 5 CPC, or direct the defendant to furnish security. Strong evidence of that risk is required.

What is summary judgment in a commercial suit?

Under Order XIII-A CPC, as applicable to commercial disputes, either party can ask the court to decide a claim without recording oral evidence if the other side has no real prospect of succeeding and there is no compelling reason for a full trial.

Specialised services

Related practice areas

Legal guides: What to do after getting an FIR in Delhi · How to file a civil suit in Delhi District Courts · All legal guides

Advocate Shubham Mehta, commercial dispute lawyer in Delhi, SRLM Law Associates

Written and reviewed by Advocate Shubham Mehta
Advocate, Bar Council of Delhi (Enrl. No. D/6398/2021), and head of SRLM Law Associates. He practises before Rohini Courts, other Delhi District Courts, Family Courts, consumer commissions and the Delhi High Court. More about the firm

Speak to SRLM Law Associates

For advice specific to your situation, you may consult a qualified advocate. Advocate Shubham Mehta (Bar Council of Delhi, Enrl. No. D/6398/2021) and the SRLM Law Associates team can be reached at +91 99997 91419 or srlmlawassociates@gmail.com. Chamber: 1310, Lawyer’s Chamber Block, Rohini Courts, Delhi – 110085. Office: 250, Kayan Vihar, Delhi – 110033. Open daily, 9 am – 9 pm. See our Google reviews and directions.