Unless the parties choose another governing law, a contract with an Indian company is read under the Indian Contract Act 1872. Since the Maldives is not a reciprocating territory, a Maldivian judgment cannot be executed directly in India, but an arbitration award can be, because both countries are New York Convention parties. An arbitration clause with a clear seat and institution is therefore the key protection.
- Document route
- Maldivian notary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation, then Indian High Commission attestation
- Time difference
- IST is 30 minutes ahead of the Maldives all year
- Core law
- Indian Contract Act 1872
- Foreign awards
- Part II, Arbitration Act 1996
Commercial Contracts from Maldives: how it works
We draft and review supply agreements for food, furniture and equipment, construction and fit-out contracts, staffing and services agreements, and distribution arrangements with Indian companies. We focus on payment security, delivery and shipping terms, inspection, delays and penalties, and dispute resolution.
We also advise on stamping the contract in India, Indian GST and customs points that affect pricing, and the documents you will need if a dispute later goes to arbitration or court.
For resort operators, we pay particular attention to seasonal delivery windows, since a shipment that misses the season can be worthless, and to clauses on substitution of goods and damage during sea and seaplane transfers to the islands.
What clients in Maldives should know
- Specify Incoterms, inspection and who bears shipping risk.
- Use bank guarantees for large advances.
- Name an arbitration institution and seat, not just "arbitration in India".
Step by step from Maldives
Video consultation
A call at a time that suits Maldives, after we have read your documents.
Documents signed in Maldives
Maldivian notary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation, then Indian High Commission attestation
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 Maldives where needed.
The full guide
This page covers what changes when you are in Maldives. For the law, the documents and the step-by-step procedure, read our main page on Commercial Contracts, or see all services for clients in Maldives and the Doing Business in India practice area.
Questions from clients in Maldives
Should we choose Maldivian or Indian law?
Either can work; the dispute clause matters most for enforcement.
Can you review a contractor's standard terms?
Yes, and we explain the risky clauses in plain language.
Do we need to stamp the contract in India?
If it will be relied on in India, yes.
Can a contract fix delivery to a specific resort island?
Yes. We define the delivery point, who arranges the inter-island transfer and when risk passes to you.