Dispute ResolutionIndia
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Dispute Resolution

India dispute resolution for foreign parties

International arbitration enforcement, foreign judgment recognition, commercial court litigation, emergency arbitration, interim measures and mediation for foreign companies in disputes with Indian counterparties or involving Indian assets.

Counsel that connects the technical, the commercial, and the legal, across ten offices in India.
Arbitration Act
1996
CPC
Section 44A
Commercial
Courts
10
India Offices
01

International arbitration and enforcement in India

  • Enforcement of foreign arbitral awards under Part II of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act (New York Convention).
  • Grounds for refusing enforcement: public policy (narrowly construed after 2015 amendment), procedural irregularity, arbitrability and jurisdiction.
  • Section 9 interim measures: Indian courts can grant interim relief even in foreign seated arbitrations (2015 amendment).
  • Emergency arbitrator orders: enforceability and parallel interim relief under Indian law.
02

Foreign judgment enforcement

  • Section 44A CPC: direct enforcement of judgments from reciprocating territories (UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, UAE and others).
  • Non reciprocating territories (US, China, Japan): fresh suit on the foreign judgment as a cause of action.
  • Grounds for non recognition: competent jurisdiction, merits, fraud, natural justice and Indian public policy.
  • Limitation period: 3 years from the date of the foreign judgment for filing enforcement proceedings in India.
03

Litigation strategy for foreign parties

  • Commercial Courts Act, 2015: designated commercial courts for disputes above INR 3 lakh with expedited procedures.
  • Forum selection: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai or jurisdiction specific considerations.
  • Interim relief: injunctions, asset freezing, appointment of receiver and anti suit injunctions.
  • Cost and timeline management: realistic assessment of Indian litigation duration and expense.
04

How AMLEGALS assists

  • Foreign award enforcement proceedings under Part II of the Arbitration Act.
  • Foreign judgment enforcement or fresh suit filing in Indian courts.
  • Commercial court litigation representation across Indian jurisdictions.
  • Mediation and settlement negotiation with Indian counterparties.
Answers

What clients ask before they commit.

Short, direct, on the record.

01Can a foreign arbitral award be enforced in India?

Yes. India is a signatory to the New York Convention and foreign awards from Convention countries can be enforced under Part II of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act. The 2015 amendment narrowed the public policy ground, making enforcement more reliable. Courts can only refuse enforcement on limited grounds: incapacity, invalid agreement, procedural irregularity, non arbitrable subject matter or public policy violation.

02How long does foreign award enforcement take in India?

Enforcement proceedings typically take 1 to 3 years in the first instance, though contested cases with appeals can take longer. The 2015 amendment introduced a provision that enforcement applications should be disposed within 1 year. Commercial Courts in Delhi and Mumbai are generally faster than other jurisdictions.

03Can a US court judgment be enforced directly in India?

No. The US is not a reciprocating territory under Section 44A CPC. A US judgment cannot be directly executed in India. The judgment holder must file a fresh suit in an Indian court using the US judgment as evidence of the debt or cause of action. The Indian court can examine the judgment on merits to a limited extent.

04Can an Indian court grant interim relief in support of a foreign arbitration?

Yes. After the 2015 amendment, Section 9 allows Indian courts to grant interim measures in international commercial arbitrations regardless of the seat. This includes injunctions, asset preservation orders and appointment of receivers. The court can grant interim relief before, during or after the arbitral proceedings.

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