The free case assessment checks four things: proof (can you show delivery and acceptance?), admission (has the buyer acknowledged the debt?), solvency (can the buyer pay?) and limitation (is the claim within three years?). The result tells you whether to proceed, by which route, and at what cost: nothing upfront, 30% on recovery.
Test 1: Proof
Can you show that you supplied what was ordered and that the buyer received it? The strongest proof is a purchase order plus a signed delivery challan or GRN plus the invoice. E-way bills, lorry receipts and courier PODs also work. For services, a signed work order, timesheets, deliverable emails and the buyer's acceptance are the equivalent.
Weak proof is not fatal. The buyer's own records, GST returns in which they claimed input credit on your invoice, and WhatsApp confirmations can all fill gaps. The assessment tells you which gap matters and how to close it.
Test 2: Admission
Has the buyer ever accepted that the money is owed? A balance confirmation, a reply saying "payment next week", a part payment, or a reconciliation email all count. An admission removes most defences and, if in writing, restarts the three-year limitation period from its date.
If there is no admission and the buyer has raised a dispute, the assessment looks at when the dispute was raised. A quality complaint raised months after delivery, only once payment is demanded, carries little weight.
Test 3: Solvency and traceability
A decree against a company with no assets is a piece of paper. The assessment checks whether the buyer is still operating, whether it is a registered company, LLP or proprietorship, and whether there are cheques, guarantees or directors' undertakings to fall back on. For MSME suppliers, the buyer's wish to keep deducting expenses under Section 43B(h) of the Income-tax Act is itself leverage.
Test 4: Limitation and deadlines
A civil claim must be filed within three years of the due date or the last acknowledgement. A Section 138 complaint has far tighter deadlines: notice within 30 days of the bank return memo, 15 days for the drawer to pay, and the complaint within one month after that. Check your dates with the limitation period calculator and the cheque bounce timeline.
What the result means
| Result | What we recommend |
|---|---|
| Strong | Engage; advocate assigned within 24 hours; notice goes out at once |
| Workable | Collect the one or two missing documents we name, then engage |
| Weak | We tell you why, and what low-cost steps you can take yourself |
Nothing is charged upfront. If you proceed, FundRaksha Legal charges 30% only on the amount actually recovered; if nothing is recovered there is no success fee. Court fees, where a matter is filed, are borne by you and told to you in advance. For sector detail, see construction, logistics and IT services.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-08. Information for Indian businesses; not legal advice.