Commercial Courts Act: Revised Timelines Promise Faster Contract Enforcement

Amendments under the Commercial Courts Act, 2015 now require active case management. Commercial suits valued above Rs. 3 lakh will receive a written case-management hearing within four weeks of completion of pleadings, and adjournments are capped except for sufficient cause recorded in writing.

What this means for litigants

• Front-load pleadings and documents: bring the full set of relied-upon records to the first management hearing.
• Be ready with admission and denial, and with a discovery and witness schedule.
• Consider mediation once commercial issues are narrowed — courts will record referrals and timelines.

Clients with pending recoveries or breach claims should review limitation and pre-institution mediation compliance now, before filing.