A Bhutanese business can recover money from an Indian party through a legal notice, a commercial summary suit under Order XXXVII CPC, a cheque case under section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, insolvency proceedings against a company with an undisputed debt above the threshold, or arbitration where the contract provides for it. A Bhutanese judgment would not be directly enforceable in India.
- Document route
- Bhutanese certification, Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation, then Indian Embassy attestation
- Time difference
- IST is 30 minutes behind Bhutan all year
- Cheque cases
- Section 138, NI Act 1881
- Civil suit
- Order XXXVII CPC
Money Recovery from India from Bhutan: how it works
We review the purchase orders, invoices, payment proofs and correspondence, and send a precise legal notice. If the Indian party does not pay or deliver, we choose between a summary suit, an ordinary suit for refund of advances with interest, or insolvency proceedings where the debtor is a company.
Commercial suits above the specified value require pre-institution mediation, which we conduct. Where there is evidence of cheating, we also advise on a criminal complaint. Recovered money is remitted to Bhutan through banking channels.
What clients in Bhutan should know
- Act within three years of the debt becoming due.
- A bounced cheque needs a notice within 30 days of the bank memo.
- Keep proof of every payment and every delivery.
Step by step from Bhutan
Video consultation
A call at a time that suits Bhutan, after we have read your documents.
Documents signed in Bhutan
Bhutanese certification, Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation, then Indian Embassy attestation
Work in India
Our team files, appears and follows up in India, and shares scans of everything filed.
Result and handover
Certified copies and originals are couriered to you in Bhutan where needed.
The full guide
This page covers what changes when you are in Bhutan. For the law, the documents and the step-by-step procedure, read our main page on Money Recovery from India, or see all services for clients in Bhutan and the Disputes & Enforcement practice area.
Questions from clients in Bhutan
Can we sue an Indian supplier without coming to India?
Yes, through an attested power of attorney.
Can we claim interest on our advance?
Usually yes, as agreed in the contract or at a rate the court allows.
Is a criminal case better than a civil suit?
Only where there is clear evidence of cheating; a civil suit is usually the main remedy.