The UK is a reciprocating territory, so a money decree of a UK superior court can be executed in an Indian district court under section 44A CPC without a fresh suit. You file a certified copy of the decree with a certificate of the amount unpaid. The debtor may resist on section 13 grounds, such as fraud, lack of jurisdiction or breach of natural justice, but cannot reargue the merits.
- Document route
- UK notary public, then FCDO apostille
- Time difference
- IST is 4h30 (BST) to 5h30 (GMT) ahead
- Law
- Sections 13, 14 and 44A, CPC 1908
- Direct execution
- Reciprocating territories only
Enforcing Foreign Judgments from the UK: how it works
We confirm the judgment qualifies: from a superior court such as the High Court of England and Wales, Court of Session or High Court of Northern Ireland, final, and for money other than taxes or penalties. You obtain a sealed certified copy and a certificate of the unpaid sum, and both are apostilled by the FCDO. County court judgments raise questions about whether they qualify, so we often advise transferring or obtaining a High Court decree first.
We then trace the debtor's assets in India and file the execution petition where they are. The court issues notice, decides any section 13 objections and proceeds to attachment and sale. Indian execution can be slow, so we combine it with attachment before judgment where assets are at risk. Recoveries are remitted to the UK through banking channels after any Indian tax formalities.
What clients in the UK should know
- Only judgments of UK superior courts qualify for section 44A; county court judgments may need to be dealt with differently.
- Arbitration awards from London-seated arbitrations are enforced under Part II of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, not section 44A.
- Proof of proper service on the debtor in the UK proceedings is critical to defeat a natural justice objection.
Step by step from the UK
Video consultation
A call at a time that suits the UK, after we have read your documents.
Documents signed in the UK
UK notary public, then FCDO apostille
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 the UK where needed.
The full guide
This page covers what changes when you are in the UK. 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 the UK and the Disputes & Enforcement practice area.
Questions from clients in the UK
Do I need to sue again in India?
No, for a qualifying superior court money decree. You file for execution directly.
Can a UK freezing order be enforced in India?
Not under section 44A, which covers money decrees. Separate interim relief can be sought from Indian courts.
How long does execution take?
It depends on objections and the type of assets. Bank attachments can be quick; selling property usually takes longer.