Overdue, disputed or old: each needs a different first move
| Invoice status | First move | Then |
|---|---|---|
| Overdue, no dispute | Legal notice with statement and interest | Settlement or summary suit / Samadhaan |
| Disputed (quality, quantity, scope) | Written reply to the dispute with your evidence, then notice for the undisputed part | Negotiation; filing for the balance |
| Old (1–3 years) | Check limitation and acknowledgements, then notice | Suit before limitation expires |
| Cheque bounced | Statutory notice within 30 days | Section 138 complaint |
Recovering B2B dues in Ludhiana: what is specific here
Ludhiana’s hosiery, bicycle and machine-tool units sell to distributors and brands across India on 60 to 120 day credit, with post-dated cheques still common in the trade. Section 138 and MSME Samadhaan (Punjab’s Facilitation Council) cover most situations, and a notice sent within days of the default is what keeps a hosiery season’s dues recoverable.
Main industries: hosiery and knitwear, bicycle and bicycle parts, sewing machines and machine tools, auto components and fasteners.
Courts: Judicial Magistrate courts, Ludhiana, for Section 138; District Court, Ludhiana, and its Commercial Court for recovery suits; the Punjab and Haryana High Court for high-value matters.
MSME claims: Udyam-registered micro and small suppliers in Ludhiana file on MSME Samadhaan, heard by the Punjab Micro and Small Enterprises Facilitation Council (Directorate of Industries and Commerce, Government of Punjab, Chandigarh). The Council sits where the supplier is, so a Ludhiana supplier can pursue a buyer in another state from home.
Handling disputed invoices professionally
A buyer who disputes quality after the due date is usually delaying. The professional response is not to argue on the phone but to answer in writing: delivery accepted on this date, no complaint raised within the agreed period, test certificate attached, undisputed amount demanded now. Most disputes shrink to a small adjustment once they are in writing, and the rest of the invoice is paid.
How recovery works for a business in Ludhiana
- Free consultation and case assessment. Send us the invoice, purchase order or delivery proof and the buyer’s messages. We tell you what is recoverable and how.
- Dedicated advocate within 24 hours. Your advocate sends a legal notice as an e-notice the same day and by registered post, with proof of delivery saved.
- Negotiation and settlement. The advocate calls the buyer, explains the consequences and agrees a payment plan. About 60% of our cases close here.
- Filing if needed. MSME Samadhaan before the Punjab Micro and Small Enterprises Facilitation Council, a Section 138 complaint in the Ludhiana magistrate courts, a summary suit or arbitration, handled by the same advocate.
You pay nothing upfront. Our fee is 30% of the amount actually recovered; if nothing is recovered there is no fee. Court fees, where a matter is filed, are borne by you and told to you in advance.