Civil Law Questions
Browse civil law questions asked by people across India.
Questions in Civil Law are answered with reference to the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, the Limitation Act, 1963 and the Specific Relief Act, 1963. Each answer states the section that applies, the forum that hears the matter and the limitation period, so the position can be checked against the official text at India Code before you act on it.
The forum depends on the facts rather than the label: a dispute described as a family matter may be heard by a family court, a magistrate or a civil judge depending on whether the relief sought is maintenance, custody, injunction or declaration. Where the law has been renumbered by the 2023 criminal law reforms, answers note both the old and the new section numbers.
I lent 5 lakh to my friend by bank transfer but we did not sign any agreement. He is not repaying. Can I recover the money?
My tenant has not paid rent for 8 months and is not vacating. The rent agreement expired last year. How do I evict him?
My neighbour's factory releases smoke that enters my house and causes breathing problems. What legal remedy do I have?
My husband deserted me 5 years ago and is living with another woman. Can I file for maintenance and divorce?
My father made a will giving the entire house to my elder brother and nothing to me. I am also his son. Can I challenge the will?
My wife and I mutually want divorce after 8 years of marriage. We have a son. What is the procedure for mutual consent divorce?
My landlord is asking me to vacate the shop in 7 days but the rent agreement is for 3 years. He also cut the electricity. What can I do?
The doctor operated on the wrong leg of my father in the hospital. What compensation can I claim for medical negligence?
My employer has not paid my salary for 4 months. They just say there is no money. How do I recover my dues?
My neighbour has extended his balcony and it encroaches 2 feet into my land. He refuses to remove it. What action can I take?
I bought a mobile phone online and it stopped working in 10 days. The seller refuses replacement saying I damaged it. What can I do?
The municipality is constructing a drain through my land without paying compensation. Can I stop them?
My uncle and I jointly own agricultural land but he has sold his share to a stranger without offering it to me. Can I claim it?
My builder took 40 lakh rupees in 2019 and has not given possession of the flat. Registration is also not done. How do I get my money back?
My employer is deducting PF from my salary but the PF office shows no credit for the last 8 months, what action can I take?
I bought a used car that turned out to be a stolen vehicle, the seller has vanished, am I liable to return the car?
My electricity bill shows 3 times the normal amount for the last two months and the discom is not correcting it, what do I do?
My grandfather's will gives the family house to my cousin but we have been living there for 30 years, can we challenge the will?
I paid advance to a contractor for building my house and he took the money and disappeared, is this cheating?
My sister's husband abandoned her and their daughter and went to live with another woman, what legal remedies does she have?
The bank is auctioning my house under sarfaesi act without sending me proper notice, what should I do?
My employer terminated me without any notice during probation, can I challenge the termination in court?
My father died without a will and my elder brother is claiming the entire ancestral property, what are my rights?
I bought a phone online but received a used and damaged piece, the company is not responding to my return request, where do I complain?
My tenant is not paying rent for 7 months and refuses to vacate, how do I evict him legally?
My builder has not given possession of my flat even after 4 years, the agreement said 3 years, what should I do?
My neighbour built a wall blocking the only passage to my house, what legal action can I take?
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Frequently Asked Questions about Civil Law
What is civil law in India?
Civil law deals with disputes between individuals or organizations, including property, contract, tort, and family matters. It is governed by the Civil Procedure Code 1908. Civil cases seek remedies like injunctions, damages, or specific performance, not punishment.
How to file a civil suit in India?
To file a civil suit: (1) Draft a plaint with facts and relief sought, (2) Pay court fees based on the claim value, (3) File in the appropriate court (Munsif/District Court based on jurisdiction), (4) The court issues summons to the defendant, (5) Both parties present evidence and arguments, (6) Court delivers judgment.
What is the limitation period for civil suits in India?
Under the Limitation Act 1963, limitation varies: 3 years for breach of contract, 12 years for recovery of immovable property, 3 years for tort claims, and 1 year for appeals to the Supreme Court. Missing the limitation period bars the suit.
What is an injunction in civil law?
An injunction is a court order restraining a party from doing (prohibitory) or compelling them to do (mandatory) a specific act. Temporary injunctions are granted under Order 39 Rule 1-2 CPC, permanent injunctions after trial.
How to file a consumer complaint in India?
File a consumer complaint: (1) Send a legal notice to the business, (2) If unresolved in 30 days, file with District Consumer Forum (claims up to ₹50 lakh), State Commission (₹50 lakh-₹2 crore), or National Commission (above ₹2 crore), (3) No lawyer is required, filing fee is nominal.