Practice areas
Understand your legal matter
A short guide to common kinds of cases in India, where they are usually heard, and what to keep in mind before you meet an advocate. This is general information, not legal advice — every case depends on its own facts.
Criminal law
FIRs, bail and anticipatory bail, criminal trials and appeals. Offences committed on or after 1 July 2024 fall under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Where it's heard: Magistrate and Sessions Courts; bail, quashing and appeals in the High Court.
Family & divorce
Divorce by mutual consent or on contested grounds, maintenance, child custody, domestic violence and adoption. Where it's heard: Family Courts, or the District Court where there is no Family Court. Domestic violence applications go before a Magistrate.
Property
Title disputes, partition of family property, sale deeds and registration, tenancy and eviction, and complaints against builders. Where it's heard: Civil Courts; delayed or defective housing projects before the state RERA authority.
Cheque bounce
Dishonour of a cheque under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. Strict time limits apply: a legal notice must go within 30 days of learning the cheque bounced, and the complaint must be filed within a month after the 15-day payment period ends. Where it's heard: Magistrate's Court.
Consumer complaints
Defective goods, poor services, unfair trade practices and insurance disputes under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. Complaints can also be filed online on the e-Daakhil portal. Where it's heard: District, State or National Consumer Commission, depending on the value of the claim.
Labour & employment
Wrongful termination, unpaid salary, gratuity, provident fund and workplace harassment. Sexual harassment at work is first raised before the employer's Internal Committee under the POSH Act, 2013. Where it's heard: Labour authorities, courts and tribunals, or civil courts for some contract claims.
Civil disputes
Money recovery, breach of contract, injunctions and declaratory suits. Many civil claims must be filed within three years under the Limitation Act, 1963, so don't delay. Where it's heard: Civil Judge or District Court, depending on the value and location of the dispute.
Cyber crime
Online financial fraud, UPI and card scams, hacking, identity theft and online harassment. Report financial fraud straight away on 1930 or at cybercrime.gov.in — quick reporting improves the chance of the money being frozen. Where it's heard: Cyber police and criminal courts.
Corporate & business
Company and LLP formation, shareholder disputes, commercial contracts, compliance and insolvency. Where it's heard: Commercial Courts for business disputes; company law and insolvency matters before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).
Tax
Income tax notices and assessments, GST notices, appeals and refunds. Where it's heard: appeals usually go first to the Commissioner (Appeals), then to the relevant appellate tribunal, and after that to the High Court.
Free legal aid and helplines
If you cannot afford a lawyer, you may be entitled to free legal aid under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. This includes women, children, members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, persons in custody, persons with disabilities, victims of disasters and trafficking, and people below a notified income limit.
Contact the District Legal Services Authority at your district court, or call the NALSA helpline.
- 112 — Emergency (police, fire, ambulance)
- 15100 — NALSA free legal aid helpline
- 181 — Women helpline
- 1098 — Child helpline
- 1930 — Cyber financial fraud
- 1915 — National Consumer Helpline