Can a U.S. Judgement be enforced in India?

Asked by: Prof. Dillan Langosh Jr.  |  Last update: December 2, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (66 votes)

For a non-reciprocating territory, a foreign judgment may be enforced by filing a new suit in an Indian court within a period of three years as specified under the Limitation Act, 1963, commencing from the date on which the judgment was passed by the foreign Court.

Are US judgments enforceable in India?

Similarly, foreign judgments from courts of non-reciprocating territories are not directly enforceable in India and require the filing of a fresh civil suit in India, where the foreign judgment will carry evidentiary weight to be assessed according to the Indian Evidence Act, 1872.

Are US judgments enforced in other countries?

Generally, US judgments cannot be enforced in a foreign country without first being recognized by a court in that foreign country. The recognition and enforcement of US judgments depends not only on the domestic law of the foreign country, but also on the principles of comity, reciprocity and res judicata.

Is foreign decree enforceable in India?

The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 governs the execution of foreign decrees in India. A foreign decree from the superior court of any reciprocating territory can be executed in an Indian court, as if, the foreign decree had been passed by an Indian court.

How to enforce a court order in India?

Once the decree is awarded, the decree holder can apply for execution or enforcement after 90 days of passing of award. The decree may be executed either by the court which passed it, or by the court to which it is sent for execution.

What is the Relevancy of Foreign Judgements in India Courts? | LawWiser

19 related questions found

What happens if court order is not followed in India?

What is the punishment for contempt of court? If someone disrespects the court through civil or criminal contempt of court, the punishment is jail time for up to six months and/or a fine up to Rupees 2,000.

Can you file a case against a judge in India?

No court shall entertain such complaints. Section 77 of the Indian Penal Code exempts judges from criminal proceedings for something said or done during judicial duties.

How can I recognize a foreign Judgement in India?

All courts in India have jurisdiction to recognise and enforce a foreign judgment. There is no requirement to establish any connection to the jurisdiction except that the Court in India in which a foreign judgment is being enforced has both territorial and pecuniary jurisdiction to enforce it.

Is international law applicable in India?

Applying International Law: The Committee noted that India follows the principle of dualism (that is, international law is not directly applicable domestically, and must be implemented through a law by Parliament).

Can a foreign divorce decree be challenged in India?

As the non-applicant did not submit to the jurisdiction, it is further said that this non-applicant did not chance a judgment in his/her favour. Challenge to the foreign court decree in such a situation may be entertained by the Indian courts.

Can you leave the country with a judgement against you?

If a U.S. court enters a judgment against you, and you leave the country, your creditors will face significant hurdles in their efforts to enforce the judgement.

Do US courts have to follow international law?

In the United States, neither state constitutions nor the federal Constitution, nor state or federal legislation, have expressly incorporated international law; from our beginnings, how- ever, following the English tradition, courts have treated international law as incorporated and applied it as domestic law.

Can a US judgement be enforced in the UK?

When enforcing US judgements in the UK, it must be done under English common law due to there being no reciprocal enforcement agreement between the two countries. Whether it's a financial debt, or other US judgement, a new action must be brought to the English court as a simple contractual 'debt'.

Can US citizens file case in India?

Yes you can, be it usa or any other country you can always file a civil case by virtue of explanation to s. 10 of civil procedure code,1908 which says that nothing precludes Indian courts from instituting a civil suit in an Indian court provided the parties and cause of action are same.

Does India have scope of judicial review vs USA?

The scope of Judicial Review in India is narrower than that in the USA. This is because the American Constitution provides for 'Due Process of Law', whereas the Indian Constitution provides for 'Procedure Established by Law'.

Are out of court settlements allowed in India?

Legal Framework for Out of Court Settlements in India

Indian Contract Act, 1872: Ensures settlements are legally binding and enforceable. Section 89 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908: Promotes resolution through mediation, arbitration, and Lok Adalats.

Is foreign law applicable in India?

The choice of a foreign system of law– two Indian parties cannot choose a foreign law system, here the English law, to govern their (main) contract. This is because the choice will violate Section 23 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 and Section 28 ACA.

Can international law be enforced by Indian judiciary?

37 (Article 37, in Part IV of the Indian Constitution, provides that “[t]he Provisions contained in this Part shall not be enforceable by any court, but the principles therein laid down are nevertheless fundamental in the governance of the country and it shall be the duty of the State to apply these principles in ...

Why are international law firms not allowed in India?

The BCI has the right to refuse to register any foreign lawyer or law firm if it is likely to become disproportionate to the number of Indian lawyers or law firms registered or allowed to practise law in the corresponding foreign country.

How can I get a copy of my Judgement online in India?

The 'Judgment Search' segment could be reached at https://judgments.ecourts.gov.in, which encapsulates the features such as search by Bench, Case Type, Case Number, Year, Petitioner/ Respondent Name, Judge Name, Act, Section, Decision: From Date, To Date and Full Text Search.

Can a court in India consider whether conclusions reached in a foreign Judgement are supported by the evidence or are otherwise correct?

In considering whether a judgment of a foreign Court is conclusive, the courts in India will not inquire whether conclusions recorded thereby are supported by the evidence, or are otherwise correct, because the binding character of the judgment may be displaced only by establishing that the case falls within one or ...

What is an exemplified foreign judgment?

Some states have adopted the Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act. In those states, a foreign judgment (defined as a judgment of any state or federal court) may be registered by filing an exemplified copy of the foreign judgment with the appropriate office of the Court and notifying the debtor of the filing.

Can a judge be prosecuted in India?

The Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be, may determine the person by whom, the manner in which, and the offence or offences for which, the prosecution of such Judge, Magistrate or public servant is to be conducted, and may specify the Court before which the trial is to be held.

Can I file a case without a lawyer in India?

Yes, you can file a civil suit without a lawyer in India, as individuals have the right to represent themselves in court. However, to understand how to file a civil suit in India, it is often advisable to seek legal assistance to ensure proper handling of the case and to increase the likelihood of a favourable outcome.

Can I write a letter to a judge regarding a case in India?

You can certainly write a letter, but whether the judge will read it or even see it is moot. Judges' correspondence is normally received and opened by staff who hand it to the judge's clerk.