In shortCivil litigation in India covers claims for money, property, contracts, compensation and consumer rights. Depending on the dispute, the case goes to a civil court, a commercial court, a Consumer Commission, a RERA authority, a Motor Accident Claims Tribunal or an arbitral tribunal. Most claims must be filed within three years under the Limitation Act, and consumer complaints within two years. A well-drafted legal notice often settles the matter before any case is filed.
What civil and consumer litigation covers
This practice area brings together disputes where you want money, compensation, possession or an order that someone do or stop doing something. The common ones are:
- Money disputes: bounced cheques, unpaid invoices, loans between friends and business dues.
- Consumer and property disputes: defective goods, deficient services, insurance claims and delayed flats under RERA.
- Compensation claims: motor accidents, medical negligence, defamation and other civil wrongs.
- Contract and employment disputes: breach of agreement, wrongful termination, wages and gratuity, and arbitration of commercial contracts.
- Writs: public interest litigation and armed forces service matters.
How civil matters typically run
Almost every civil dispute should start with a legal notice. It sets out your claim, gives the other side a fixed time to respond and becomes evidence later. Against the government, a notice under Section 80 of the Civil Procedure Code, 1908 is mandatory before a suit, with two months for a reply.
If the notice does not work, the forum decides the procedure. A civil suit moves through plaint, written statement, framing of issues, evidence and arguments. Commercial disputes above the specified value go to commercial courts, where pre-institution mediation under Section 12A of the Commercial Courts Act, 2015 is required unless urgent relief is sought. Consumer complaints before District, State and National Commissions follow a simpler, affidavit-based procedure. RERA complaints and motor accident claims are heard by specialised authorities with their own rules.
Where a contract has an arbitration clause, the dispute usually goes to arbitration under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, and the court's role is limited to appointing arbitrators, granting interim relief and hearing challenges to the award.
Timelines and costs in general terms
Time limits are set mainly by the Limitation Act, 1963: three years for most money and contract claims, and different periods for property and other claims. Consumer complaints must be filed within two years of the cause of action under Section 69 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. Cheque bounce cases run on much shorter deadlines counted in days.
How long a case takes depends on the court and on how hard the other side contests it. Consumer and RERA matters usually move faster than ordinary civil suits, and summary suits on cheques and written contracts are quicker than regular suits because the defendant needs leave to defend. Settlement can happen at any stage, and courts encourage it.
Costs have two parts. Court fee is fixed by each state and in money suits is usually a percentage of the claim, while consumer commissions charge small slab-based fees. Professional fees depend on the forum, the amount and the stages involved. We quote stage-wise fees in writing before we start.
Choosing the right remedy
The same facts can often support more than one remedy. A bounced cheque can found a criminal complaint and a summary suit. A defective flat can go to RERA or to a Consumer Commission. A medical negligence claim can be filed before a Consumer Commission or as a civil suit. The right choice depends on what you want (refund, compensation, pressure or a quick order), the evidence you hold and the value of the claim. Use the table below as a starting point and share your documents for a specific view.
Which service do you need?
All civil & consumer litigation services
Cheque Bounce Cases
Section 138 notice, complaint, defence and settlement in cheque dishonour cases.
Learn more Money & Debt Recovery
Legal notice, summary suit, insolvency route and execution to recover unpaid money.
Learn more Consumer Court Cases
Complaints before District, State and National Consumer Commissions for defective goods and deficient services.
Learn more RERA Complaints
Refund, interest and possession claims against builders before RERA and appellate tribunals.
Learn more Medical Negligence
Compensation claims against hospitals and doctors before consumer commissions and civil courts.
Learn more Motor Accident Claims
MACT claims for death and injury, insurer disputes and enhancement appeals.
Learn more Tort & Personal Injury
Civil claims for negligence, defamation, nuisance and injuries outside motor accidents.
Learn more Contracts & Agreements
Drafting, review and enforcement of business and personal contracts.
Learn more Labour & Employment Law
Wrongful termination, wage and gratuity claims, and employer compliance under the labour codes.
Learn more Arbitration & Mediation
Arbitration, mediation and conciliation, with court applications under the Arbitration Act.
Learn more Public Interest Litigation
Writ petitions in High Courts and the Supreme Court on matters of public concern.
Learn more Technology, AI & Data Law
Contracts, liability, data protection and IP for businesses building or using AI.
Learn more Armed Forces & Defence Cases
Service, pension and disciplinary matters of defence personnel before the AFT and courts.
Learn more Please note: this page explains the law and procedure in general terms as on 30 October 2026. Fees, limits and timelines change, and the facts of each case matter, so take advice on your own papers before acting.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to send a legal notice before filing a civil case?
For most private disputes a notice is not legally required, but it is strongly advisable because it often settles the matter and strengthens your case. Against the government, a two-month notice under Section 80 CPC is mandatory unless the court grants leave for urgent relief.
What is the limitation period for a money recovery suit?
Generally three years from the date the money became due, under the Limitation Act, 1963. A written acknowledgement of the debt or a part payment before the period ends starts a fresh three years.
Can I file a consumer complaint without a lawyer?
Yes. Consumers can file complaints themselves, including online through the e-Daakhil portal. A lawyer helps with drafting, evidence and arguments, especially where the opposite party is a large company or insurer.
Which Consumer Commission should I approach?
It depends on the consideration paid: up to Rs 50 lakh before the District Commission, above Rs 50 lakh and up to Rs 2 crore before the State Commission, and above Rs 2 crore before the National Commission.
Can a civil case be settled out of court?
Yes, at any stage. Courts refer suitable cases to mediation and Lok Adalats, and a settlement recorded by the court is binding and enforceable like a decree.
How are civil court fees calculated?
Each state sets its own court fee law. In money suits the fee is usually a percentage of the amount claimed, often with a cap, so the fee for the same claim can differ between states.
