Because Trinidad and Tobago is notified as a reciprocating territory, a money decree of its superior courts can be executed in India under section 44A CPC as though it were an Indian decree. You file a certified copy with a certificate of the amount still unpaid in the district court where the debtor or assets are. The debtor can object only on section 13 grounds, such as lack of jurisdiction, fraud or breach of natural justice.
- Document route
- Notary or attorney-at-law, then apostille (check the issuing office)
- Time difference
- IST is 9h30 ahead all year (no daylight saving)
- Law
- Sections 13, 14 and 44A, CPC 1908
- Direct execution
- Reciprocating territories only
Enforcing Foreign Judgments from Trinidad and Tobago: how it works
We first check that the decree qualifies: it must be from a superior court as notified, final, and for a sum of money that is not a tax, fine or penalty. You obtain a certified copy and a certificate from the Trinidad court stating how much remains unsatisfied, both apostilled. We then locate assets in India, such as bank accounts, property or shares, through public searches and the debtor's known connections, and choose the district court with jurisdiction over them.
The execution petition is filed with the documents, and the court issues notice to the judgment debtor. If the debtor raises objections under section 13, the court decides them before attachment proceeds. Where the debtor tries to move assets, interim attachment can be sought. Recovery through sale of property follows Indian execution procedure, which can be slow, so early settlement discussions are often worthwhile. Amounts recovered can be remitted to Trinidad through banking channels.
What clients in Trinidad and Tobago should know
- Only money decrees qualify; injunctions, custody orders and matrimonial decrees from Trinidad are not executed under section 44A.
- A default judgment may be challenged in India if the debtor was not properly served, so keep proof of service from the Trinidad proceedings.
- Arbitration awards follow a separate route under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, not section 44A.
Step by step from Trinidad and Tobago
Video consultation
A call at a time that suits Trinidad and Tobago, after we have read your documents.
Documents signed in Trinidad and Tobago
Notary or attorney-at-law, then apostille (check the issuing office)
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 Trinidad and Tobago where needed.
The full guide
This page covers what changes when you are in Trinidad and Tobago. For the law, the documents and the step-by-step procedure, read our main page on Enforcing Foreign Judgments, or see all services for clients in Trinidad and Tobago and the Disputes & Enforcement practice area.
Questions from clients in Trinidad and Tobago
Do I need to file a new suit in India?
No. For a qualifying money decree from Trinidad and Tobago, you file for execution directly, which is quicker than a fresh suit.
Which documents are needed?
A certified copy of the decree, a certificate of the amount unsatisfied from the Trinidad court, both apostilled, and details of the debtor's assets in India.
Can the debtor reopen the merits?
Not generally. Objections are limited to section 13 grounds, such as fraud or lack of jurisdiction.