Matters we handle
- Ongoing legal advice for companies, startups and MSMEs on a retainer basis
- Legal due diligence for investments, acquisitions and property purchases by companies
- Drafting and review of commercial contracts
- Shareholder, founder and partnership agreements
- Company and LLP law advice
- Commercial disputes and recovery of dues
- Insolvency proceedings under the IBC, for creditors and companies
- Employment and consultancy agreements
- Legal notices and pre-litigation mediation
Where these matters are heard
- Commercial Courts in Hyderabad
- National Company Law Tribunal, Hyderabad Bench
- Arbitral tribunals
- Telangana High Court
The law that applies
Contracts are governed by the Indian Contract Act, 1872; companies by the Companies Act, 2013; and LLPs by the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008. Commercial disputes of a specified value of ₹3 lakh or more go to Commercial Courts under the Commercial Courts Act, 2015.
Before filing a commercial suit that does not need urgent interim relief, pre-institution mediation under section 12A is mandatory, as confirmed by the Supreme Court in Patil Automation v. Rakheja Engineers (2022). Insolvency of companies is governed by the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, where the minimum default for starting proceedings is currently ₹1 crore.
How the process generally works
Understand the business
The transaction, the parties and the commercial goal.
Draft or review
Clear terms on payment, delivery, liability, termination and dispute resolution.
If a dispute arises
Notice, negotiation and pre-institution mediation where required.
Proceedings
Commercial suit, arbitration or insolvency application, as suits the case.
Enforcement
Decree or award execution and recovery.
Documents to keep ready
- Contracts, purchase orders and invoices
- Company or LLP incorporation documents
- Board resolutions, where relevant
- Ledger statements and correspondence
Terms you may hear
- MoU
- Memorandum of understanding: a written record of the terms agreed between parties, which may or may not be binding depending on its wording.
- NDA
- Non-disclosure agreement protecting confidential information shared between parties.
- Retainer
- An arrangement under which a lawyer advises a client on an ongoing basis for an agreed fee.
- Due diligence
- A legal review of documents and risks before an investment, acquisition or contract.
- ROC
- Registrar of Companies, with whom companies file their statutory returns and forms.
- NCLT
- National Company Law Tribunal, which hears company law disputes and insolvency cases; Hyderabad has a bench.
Questions people ask
A client is not paying my invoices. What can I do?
Send a formal demand and preserve all correspondence. If your business is registered as a micro or small enterprise under the MSMED Act, the buyer must generally pay within 45 days, and you can approach the MSME Facilitation Council, which can award interest at three times the RBI bank rate. Otherwise, pre-suit mediation and a commercial suit or arbitration are the usual routes.
My business partner is diverting money. What are my options?
In a partnership firm, you can seek accounts and dissolution. In a company, shareholders who meet the eligibility conditions can file a petition for oppression and mismanagement before the NCLT under sections 241 and 242 of the Companies Act. Preserve financial records immediately.
Is a non-compete clause enforceable after I leave a job?
Under section 27 of the Indian Contract Act, agreements restraining a person from carrying on a trade or profession are generally void. Courts usually do not enforce non-compete restrictions after employment ends, though restrictions during employment and confidentiality obligations can be enforced.
Will the court enforce the penalty amount written in my contract?
Not automatically. Under section 74 of the Indian Contract Act, the court awards reasonable compensation up to the amount stated, not necessarily the full figure. The party claiming usually has to show that loss was suffered, unless loss is difficult to prove.
Do I need to attempt mediation before filing a commercial suit?
Yes, unless you are seeking urgent interim relief. Section 12A of the Commercial Courts Act makes pre-institution mediation mandatory, and a suit filed without it can be rejected.
What is the minimum amount to start insolvency against a company?
The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code currently requires a default of at least ₹1 crore. Operational creditors must first serve a demand notice under section 8 and wait for the company's response.
Is an email or WhatsApp agreement binding?
A contract can be formed through electronic communication if the essentials of a valid contract are present. Proving its terms is easier with a signed written agreement, so important arrangements should be documented properly.
What should every commercial contract include?
At minimum: the parties, scope of work, price and payment terms, timelines, limitation of liability, termination rights, confidentiality, governing law and a dispute resolution clause such as arbitration.
Which court hears a commercial dispute below ₹3 lakh?
Disputes below the specified value go to the ordinary civil courts under the normal procedure.
Can a company engage a lawyer on a retainer?
Yes. Many companies and startups engage an advocate on a retainer for regular contract review, notices, compliance questions and disputes, instead of hiring for each matter separately. The scope and fees are agreed in writing at the start.
What is legal due diligence?
It is a structured review of a company's or property's legal position before an investment, acquisition or major contract: its documents, contracts, licences, litigation, title and liabilities. The aim is to find risks before the transaction, when they can still be priced in or fixed.
This page gives general information about the law as it stands and is not legal advice. The right course in any matter depends on its facts.
Last updated: September 2026.