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 Mumbai if not. Nothing upfront; 30% only on recovery.
Business in Mumbai: where dues come from
Mumbai is India’s largest B2B market and its dues are the most varied: garment exporters in Dharavi and Andheri, chemical traders in Masjid Bunder, agencies and consultants billing corporates in BKC and Lower Parel. Cheque-based payments are still common in trading, so Section 138 is a frequent route, and arbitration clauses in corporate contracts often decide where a dispute is heard.
Main industries: textiles and garments, finance and services, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, media and advertising, import and export trading.
Courts and the Facilitation Council for Mumbai
| Forum | What it hears | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Magistrate courts | Section 138 cheque bounce complaints | Metropolitan Magistrate courts (Esplanade, Mazgaon, Andheri, Bandra, Kurla and others) for Section 138 complaints |
| Civil / Commercial courts | Summary suits and recovery suits | City Civil Court and the Bombay High Court Commercial Division for high-value recovery suits. |
| MSE Facilitation Council | MSME Samadhaan delayed-payment references | Maharashtra Micro and Small Enterprises Facilitation Councils (regional councils for Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Aurangabad and Amravati regions), Directorate of Industries, Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai, and regional Joint Director of Industries offices |
| High Court | Appeals, Section 34 challenges, high-value commercial suits | Bombay High Court (principal seat Mumbai; benches at Nagpur and Aurangabad) |
See cheque bounce courts in Mumbai and the Maharashtra 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 Mumbai
- Textiles and garments dues in Mumbai: 60 to 120 day credit is normal; post-dated cheques and running accounts (khata) are common, and buyers raise quality or shortage disputes when they want to delay.
- IT services, software and agencies dues in Mumbai: 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.
- Pharmaceuticals and pharma distribution dues in Mumbai: Manufacturers sell to marketing companies on 45 to 90 day credit; stockists and distributors carry brand dues against schemes, expiry returns and credit notes that are reconciled slowly.
- Logistics, transport and warehousing dues in Mumbai: 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 Mumbai 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 Mumbai 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.