Start with a free assessment, get an advocate-signed legal notice within 24 hours, settle if the buyer responds (60% do), and file MSME Samadhaan, Section 138 or a summary suit in Chennai if not. Nothing upfront; 30% only on recovery.
Business in Chennai: where dues come from
Chennai’s auto cluster in Oragadam, Sriperumbudur and Ambattur means thousands of tier-2 and tier-3 component suppliers waiting on large buyers, often beyond the MSME Act’s 45-day limit. Leather exporters in Pallavaram and engineering job-workers in Guindy face similar delays. MSME Samadhaan before the Tamil Nadu Facilitation Council is a strong route for Udyam-registered units here.
Main industries: automobile and auto components, IT and BPO services, leather and footwear, engineering, pharmaceuticals.
Courts and the Facilitation Council for Chennai
| Forum | What it hears | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Magistrate courts | Section 138 cheque bounce complaints | Metropolitan Magistrate courts at Egmore, George Town, Saidapet and Alandur for Section 138 |
| Civil / Commercial courts | Summary suits and recovery suits | City Civil Court and the Madras High Court Commercial Division for recovery suits. |
| MSE Facilitation Council | MSME Samadhaan delayed-payment references | Tamil Nadu Micro and Small Enterprises Facilitation Council, Commissionerate of Industries and Commerce (MSME Department), Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai |
| High Court | Appeals, Section 34 challenges, high-value commercial suits | Madras High Court, Chennai (bench at Madurai) |
See cheque bounce courts in Chennai and the Tamil Nadu Facilitation Council.
Which route fits your case
| Your situation | Route | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer ignoring reminders | Legal notice by a dedicated advocate | 24 hours to send; most respond in 7 to 15 days |
| Udyam-registered supplier, payment over 45 days late | MSME Samadhaan | Council target 90 days |
| Cheque bounced | Section 138 complaint | Notice within 30 days; complaint within the following 45 |
| Invoice or contract dues, no real defence | Summary suit | Months, by court calendar |
| Contract with arbitration clause | Arbitration | Usually faster than court |
By industry in Chennai
- Auto components and ancillaries dues in Chennai: Scheduled deliveries against open POs, vendor portals, 60 to 120 day terms, bill discounting and frequent debit notes for PPM rejections.
- IT services, software and agencies dues in Chennai: Milestone or monthly billing against SOWs and contracts, 30 to 60 day terms on paper, often 90 to 180 days in practice, with “scope” disputes used to delay.
- Engineering, fabrication and machine tools dues in Chennai: Purchase orders with 45 to 90 day terms, frequent “hold” on payments pending inspection, and debit notes for rejections.
- Logistics, transport and warehousing dues in Chennai: Monthly freight bills against lorry receipts and PODs, 30 to 60 day terms that stretch to 120, deductions for damage and detention disputes.
How FundRaksha works for Chennai businesses
- Free consultation and case assessment by phone, WhatsApp or video.
- Dedicated advocate assigned and legal notice sent within 24 hours (e-notice plus registered post).
- Negotiation and a documented settlement, secured by post-dated cheques or an e-mandate.
- Filing in Chennai or before the Council if needed, with the same advocate appearing.
Fee: 30% of the amount recovered, nothing upfront. Court fees at actuals, told before filing.