A money decree of a notified Singapore superior court is executed in India under section 44A of the Code of Civil Procedure. The creditor files a certified copy of the decree and a certificate from the Singapore court of the amount unpaid in the Indian district court where the debtor or the assets are. The debtor can only object on the grounds in section 13, such as fraud, lack of jurisdiction or breach of natural justice.
- Document route
- Singapore notary public, then apostille from the Singapore Academy of Law
- Time difference
- Singapore is 2h30 ahead of IST all year
- Law
- Sections 13, 14 and 44A, CPC 1908
- Direct execution
- Reciprocating territories only
Enforcing Foreign Judgments from Singapore: how it works
We check that the judgment comes from a superior court covered by the notification and is a money decree, not one for taxes, fines or penalties. We obtain a certified copy and the certificate of satisfaction from the Singapore court, apostilled by the Singapore Academy of Law. We investigate the debtor's Indian assets through property records, company filings and court searches. A power of attorney from the creditor, notarised and apostilled in Singapore, authorises us to file the execution petition.
In the district court, the execution petition is served on the debtor, who may raise section 13 objections. We respond with evidence of proper service in the original proceedings and the merits basis of the judgment. Once the court rejects the objections, it can attach and sell property, attach bank balances or receivables and, in limited cases, order arrest. Debtors sometimes seek to transfer assets once notice is served, so we may ask for attachment before judgment where the law allows.
What clients in Singapore should know
- Judgments of the Singapore International Commercial Court may raise separate questions about whether they fall within the notification, so we check before filing.
- A Singapore default judgment can be enforced, but an Indian court may examine whether the debtor was properly served and had a fair chance to defend.
- Where the judgment debtor is an Indian company, insolvency proceedings under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code may sometimes be a more practical route than execution.
Step by step from Singapore
Video consultation
A call at a time that suits Singapore, after we have read your documents.
Documents signed in Singapore
Singapore notary public, then apostille from the Singapore Academy of Law
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 Singapore where needed.
The full guide
This page covers what changes when you are in Singapore. For the law, the documents and the step-by-step procedure, read our main page on Enforcing Foreign Judgments, or see all services for clients in Singapore and the Disputes & Enforcement practice area.
Questions from clients in Singapore
Do I need to file a new suit in India for a Singapore judgment?
No, for a money decree of a notified superior court. It is enforced through an execution petition, which is quicker than a new suit.
Can the debtor reopen the case in India?
No. The debtor can only raise the section 13 objections; the Indian court does not rehear the merits.
Is interest included?
Interest awarded in the Singapore judgment can be claimed. Further interest and currency conversion are addressed in the petition.