Commercial Litigation & Arbitration
Contract disputes, commercial suits, domestic and international arbitration, and enforcement of awards.
Commercial litigation is the resolution of business disputes, over contracts, supply, agency, shareholding or partnership, through the Commercial Courts and High Courts. Arbitration is private adjudication under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, chosen by contract, whose award is enforceable as a decree.
Maaz Akhtar heads this practice. The firm has acted in commercial suits with claims running into several crores, in principal-agent and distribution disputes, in international trade and cross-border contract claims, and in tort and accident claims.
In arbitration we act from the notice invoking arbitration through the award and its enforcement or challenge: Section 9 interim relief, Section 11 appointment applications, the hearing itself, Section 34 challenges and Section 36 execution. We work with the Delhi International Arbitration Centre and other institutions, and on ad hoc references.
What we handle
- Commercial suits under the Commercial Courts Act, 2015 (Delhi High Court and District Commercial Courts)
- Contract, supply, distribution and principal-agent disputes
- Domestic and international arbitration, institutional and ad hoc
- Section 9 and 17 interim measures; Section 11 appointments
- Section 34 challenges and Section 36 enforcement of awards
- International trade and cross-border contract claims
Frequently asked questions
What is the time limit to challenge an arbitral award in India?
Three months from receipt of the award under Section 34(3) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, extendable by a further 30 days on sufficient cause. The court has no power to extend beyond that.
Is pre-institution mediation compulsory for commercial suits?
Yes, under Section 12A of the Commercial Courts Act, 2015, unless the suit seeks urgent interim relief. The Supreme Court has held the requirement to be mandatory, so it should be planned into the timeline.
Can a foreign arbitral award be enforced in India?
Yes, under Part II of the Arbitration Act, if the award was made in a country notified under the New York Convention. Enforcement is sought in the High Court having jurisdiction over the assets of the award debtor.
Who handles this
Related insights
- Emergency Arbitrators and Section 17: Interim Measures from the Tribunal ItselfOnce a tribunal is constituted, it, not the court, is the primary source of interim relief.27 May 2025
- Principal-Agent and Distributor Disputes: Recovering Dues and Terminating CleanlyAgency and distribution relationships generate a distinctive set of disputes: unremitted collections, unreturned stock, commission claims and contested terminations.29 April 2025
- Breach of Contract in India: Damages, Specific Performance and Injunctions ExplainedWhen the other side breaks a contract, the law gives you a menu of remedies, and choosing the right one at the start shapes the whole case.15 April 2025
- Drafting an Arbitration Clause for an Indian Contract: Seven Mistakes That Cost Money LaterMost arbitration disputes that reach the Delhi High Court on jurisdiction could have been avoided by a better clause.01 April 2025
- Pre-Institution Mediation under Section 12A of the Commercial Courts Act: What It Means for Your SuitSince the Supreme Court's ruling in Patil Automation (2022), a commercial suit filed without first attempting pre-institution mediation is liable to be rejected.18 March 2025
- Enforcing an Arbitral Award in India: Domestic Awards and Foreign AwardsWinning an award is only half the job; it has to be enforced against the losing party's assets.04 March 2025
The information on this page is general and does not constitute legal advice. Limitation periods and procedures depend on the facts of each matter; please take advice before acting.