Documents Required in Bangalore Commercial Courts Under the Commercial Courts Act, 2015
The Commercial Courts Act, 2015, has reshaped commercial dispute resolution in Bengaluru.
Today, dedicated commercial courts handle business disputes exceeding ₹3 lakh and aim to resolve them within 18–24 months.
Consequently, businesses no longer endure decade-long litigation in traditional civil courts.
However, this efficiency comes with stricter procedural expectations.
Courts now require parties to submit complete and structured documentation at the outset.
If litigants fail to do so, courts may reject pleadings, strike off defences, or deny interim relief.
Therefore, understanding the documents required in the Bangalore Commercial Courts is essential for a successful litigation strategy.
Table of Contents
Why Documentation Is Critical in Bangalore Commercial Courts?
Unlike conventional civil courts, commercial courts emphasise early disclosure and document transparency.
As a result, judges often review annexures before reading pleadings.
Moreover, comprehensive documentation helps courts:
evaluate claims quickly
Grant interim relief faster
frame precise legal issues
promote mediation and settlement
Thus, strong documentation strengthens credibility and accelerates case resolution.
Documents Required from Plaintiffs in Bangalore Commercial Courts
Mandatory Pleadings Under the Commercial Courts Act, 2015
A plaintiff must file a compliant plaint under Order VII CPC, as amended by the Commercial Courts Act. Additionally, the following are mandatory:
Statement of Truth affidavit
Particulars of the claim
List of documents with possession details
proper valuation and court fee
Without these, the plaint may face registry objections.
Core Contractual & Transaction Documents
To establish the claim, plaintiffs should annex:
executed agreements and contracts
purchase/work orders
invoices and delivery challans
payment proofs and bank statements
legal notices and replies
Because courts treat unsupported pleadings as mere assertions, these records form the backbone of the case.
Correspondence & Electronic Evidence
Since modern transactions rely on digital communication, plaintiffs should include:
emails and communication trails
WhatsApp chats and exports
letters and internal correspondence
ERP or CRM system records
Additionally, electronic records should be supported by a Section 65B Evidence Act certificate.
Proof of Performance and Breach
Plaintiffs must also submit contextual evidence demonstrating performance and breach.
Service contracts
timesheets and work reports
login/activity data
third-party confirmations
Lease & property disputes
possession proof
premises photographs
municipal records
handover documentation
Intellectual property disputes
registration certificates
proof of commercial use
infringement evidence
prior enforcement actions
A chronological documentary trail significantly improves the chances of interim relief.
Corporate Authorisations & Supporting Records
Plaintiffs should also include:
Board resolution authorising litigation
Power of Attorney
GST filings and ledger extracts
audit reports or expert opinions
Because courts scrutinize late filings, compiling documents before filing is critical.
Documents Required from Defendants in Bangalore Commercial Courts
Under the Commercial Courts Act, defendants must file a written statement within a strict timeline (maximum 120 days).
Failure to comply may forfeit the right to defend.
Therefore, defendants must prepare pleadings and documentation simultaneously.
Written Statement & Statement of Truth
Defendants must file:
detailed written statement
Statement of Truth affidavit
list of supporting documents
Vague denials are insufficient in commercial litigation.
Payment & Financial Records
To counter payment claims, defendants should produce:
bank statements and UTR details
receipts and ledgers
TDS certificates
reconciliation statements
These records directly rebut non-payment allegations.
Evidence of Defective Goods or Services
If the dispute involves defective performance, defendants must provide:
inspection reports
quality control notes
photographs or video evidence
expert opinions
complaint emails
Courts rely heavily on contemporaneous documentation.
Commercial Performance & Operational Records
Depending on the dispute, defendants may submit:
Franchise & distributorship disputes
sales performance reports
territory data
market correspondence
Lease & tenancy disputes
rent receipts
property tax documents
municipal correspondence
Such documents establish compliance and contractual performance.
Counter-Claims & Supporting Evidence
If filing a counter-claim, defendants must support it with documentary proof. Otherwise, courts rarely entertain unsupported counter-allegations.
Additionally, failure to submit documents early may bar later production unless the court grants permission.
Procedural Compliance & Electronic Evidence Requirements
Both parties must ensure procedural compliance by submitting:
Board resolutions and authorisations
Vakalatnama and Power of Attorney
corporate incorporation records
Section 65B certificates for electronic records
Without proper authorisation, filings may face validity objections.
Importance of Expert Reports & Regulatory Filings
In complex disputes, technical documentation can be decisive.
Financial disputes
statutory audit reports
GST returns
MCA filings
Construction disputes
project schedules
architect certificates
progress reports
Technology & SaaS disputes
server logs
uptime reports
bug tracking reports
These materials support case management, mediation, and summary judgments.
How Proper Documentation Speeds Up Commercial Court Cases?
The efficiency of commercial courts stems from early disclosure and structured evidence.
When parties submit complete documentation:
adjournments reduce
interim relief decisions accelerate
issues become clearer
Mediation becomes more effective
Conversely, incomplete records can lead to adverse inferences and missed opportunities.
Conclusion: Documentation Is a Strategic Advantage
Businesses litigating in Bengaluru’s commercial courts must treat documentation as the foundation of litigation strategy.
Plaintiffs should build a complete documentary narrative before filing.
Defendants should conduct an immediate internal document audit upon receiving a summons.
Lawyers should follow structured checklists to ensure compliance with the Commercial Courts Act, 2015.
Ultimately, in a system designed to reward preparedness, the party with better documentation holds a decisive advantage.
