How-To Guide

A court marriage certificate is one of the most important legal documents a married couple possesses. It serves as proof of marriage for passport applications, visa processing, joint property purchases, insurance nominations, and various government services. When this certificate is lost, damaged, or destroyed, obtaining a duplicate becomes an urgent necessity. The process for reissuance is straightforward, though it varies slightly across states depending on whether records

An interlocutory application (IA) is a procedural tool that allows a party to seek interim relief or specific orders from the court while a civil suit is still pending. These applications address urgent or ancillary issues that cannot wait until the final hearing. Whether a plaintiff needs to protect disputed property from being sold, or a defendant wants security for costs, interlocutory applications provide the mechanism for obtaining such orders. Understanding when and how

How to File an Execution Petition to Enforce a Court Decree in India Under Order 21 CPC Winning a court case and obtaining a favourable decree is only half the battle. If the judgment-debtor (the losing party) fails to comply with the decree voluntarily, the decree-holder (the winning party) must take steps to enforce it. The process of enforcing a court decree in India is governed by Order 21 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (CPC). This guide explains the modes of execut

How to Contest a Will in India: Legal Grounds, Procedure and Limitation Period When a loved one passes away, disputes over the distribution of their estate can arise, particularly if there are concerns about the validity of the deceased's will. Contesting a will is a legal process through which an interested party challenges the authenticity or validity of a testamentary document before a court. This guide explains the legal grounds for challenging a will in India, the step-b

How to File a Suit for Declaration of Title Over Property in India Under Section 34 of the Specific Relief Act Disputes over property ownership are among the most common types of civil litigation in India. When someone denies your right or title to a property, you may need to approach the court to obtain a formal declaration establishing your ownership. Section 34 of the Specific Relief Act, 1963, provides the legal basis for filing a suit for declaration of title. This guide

How to Apply for a Scheduled Tribe Certificate in India: Eligibility, Documents and Process A Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate is an official document issued by the government that certifies an individual's membership in a community recognized as a Scheduled Tribe under the Constitution of India. This certificate is essential for accessing various benefits, including reservation in education and government employment, scholarships, and other welfare schemes. This guide provid

How to File a Civil Suit in a District Court in India: Plaint, Court Fees and Procedure Filing a civil suit in a district court is the primary method for individuals and businesses in India to resolve disputes related to property, money, contracts, and civil rights. Whether you are seeking recovery of a debt, possession of immovable property, or a declaration of your rights, understanding the correct procedure is essential. This guide walks you through the entire process of f

How to File a Suit for Injunction in India An injunction is one of the most powerful remedies available in civil law, allowing a party to restrain another from doing a particular act or compelling them to perform one. Governed by the Specific Relief Act, 1963 (Sections 36 to 42) and the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (Order 39), injunctions are widely used in property disputes, intellectual property matters, contractual disputes, and cases of nuisance. This guide explains the

How to File an Application for Commutation of Sentence in India Commutation of sentence is an executive power that allows the appropriate government to reduce the severity of a punishment imposed by a court. Unlike a pardon, which wipes out the conviction entirely, commutation substitutes a lesser punishment while maintaining the conviction on record. The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) governs this process under Sections 473 and 474, while constitutional prov

How to Apply for Witness Protection Under BNSS in India Witnesses are the backbone of the criminal justice system, yet they often face threats, intimidation, and violence for coming forward with the truth. Recognising this reality, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) has codified witness protection under Section 398, giving statutory backing to the framework originally directed by the Supreme Court in Mahender Chawla v. Union of India (2018). This guide explai

How to File a Debt Recovery Application Before the DRT in India When borrowers default on loans, banks and financial institutions in India have a specialised forum for recovering their dues: the Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT). Established under the Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act, 1993 (commonly known as the RDDBFI Act), DRTs provide an expedited mechanism for debt recovery that bypasses the delays of ordinary civil courts. This guide explains the complete process of filin

How to File a Case in Labour Court in India Filing a case in the Labour Court is a critical step for workers seeking justice against unfair dismissal, non-payment of wages, or denial of statutory benefits. The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 provides the framework for adjudication of disputes between employers and workmen. While many workers assume they need a union or government referral, Section 2A of the Act allows individual workmen to approach the Labour Court directly in

A Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) is a company registered under the Companies Act, 2013, that engages in the business of loans and advances, acquisition of shares, stocks, bonds, debentures, or securities, leasing, hire-purchase, insurance, or chit fund activities. Unlike banks, NBFCs cannot accept demand deposits, but they play a critical role in India's financial ecosystem by serving segments that traditional banks often do not reach. Any company wishing to carry on th

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the national standards body of India, established under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016. BIS certification, commonly known as the ISI Mark, is a quality certification mark that confirms a product has been tested against the applicable Indian Standard (IS) and the manufacturing facility has been inspected and found compliant. For certain categories of products, BIS certification is mandatory before they can be sold in India. Thi

A Geographical Indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities, reputation, or characteristics attributable to that origin. Think of Darjeeling Tea, Basmati Rice, Kancheepuram Silk, or Tirupathi Laddu. In India, GIs are protected under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, and administered by the Geographical Indications Registry located in Chennai. This guide explains how to re