Lawyers in Mumbai

Why Mumbai is a city of specialist courts

Most Indian cities send almost every civil case to one district court. Mumbai is different. Because it was a presidency town under British rule, it inherited a separate set of courts for the city: a City Civil Court for ordinary civil suits, a Court of Small Causes that hears landlord, tenant and licence disputes regardless of value, Metropolitan Magistrates for criminal cases, and a High Court that still hears very large civil suits on its original side. Add to that a family court in Bandra, co-operative courts for housing society disputes, MahaRERA for builders, and national tribunals for company law, securities, banking and tax, and you have one of the most specialised legal environments in the country.

That specialisation is good news for clients once they know where to go, because each court has advocates who practise there daily. It is bad news for those who do not, because filing in the wrong forum wastes months. A flat buyer, a tenant, a society member fighting a redevelopment, a company facing insolvency and a family going through a divorce will each need a different kind of advocate in a different building. This guide explains Mumbai's courts and forums, the local laws that matter most, and how to choose an advocate for your matter.

Mumbai also moves fast. Commercial disputes, ship arrests, film releases and stock market cases often need orders within days, and the city's advocates are used to urgent mentions before vacation and regular benches. At the same time, ordinary residents face very local problems: a society that will not transfer a flat, a licensee who will not leave, a developer who has stopped paying rent, or an old tenancy in a building that is about to be redeveloped. Both kinds of matters are covered below.

Mumbai's courts and what each one hears

The 2023 change in civil jurisdiction

For years, the Bombay High Court heard civil suits in Mumbai valued above ₹1 crore. Amendments in 2023 raised the City Civil Court's limit so that suits up to ₹10 crore now go there, and only larger suits go to the High Court's original side. Many pending suits were transferred as a result. If you have an older suit, check which court it is now pending in; if you are filing a new one, the value of the claim decides the court.

The Bombay High Court

The High Court at Fort is one of the oldest in India and is known for its commercial and intellectual property work. Besides the original side, it hears writ petitions against the State of Maharashtra, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, MHADA and other authorities; appeals and revisions from the city courts and the rest of Maharashtra; criminal applications, including petitions to quash FIRs; and arbitration petitions. It also has benches at Nagpur, Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) and Goa, and a circuit bench at Kolhapur, for other parts of its jurisdiction.

Where Mumbai ends and the region begins

The city courts serve Mumbai City and Mumbai Suburban districts, from Colaba to Dahisar and Mulund. Thane, Navi Mumbai, Kalyan-Dombivli, Ulhasnagar, Bhiwandi and Mira-Bhayandar fall under the Thane district courts and their branch courts, while Vasai-Virar and Palghar have their own district courts. Navi Mumbai matters are typically heard at courts in Belapur and Vashi. Appeals from all of these go to the Bombay High Court.

Housing societies, redevelopment and conveyance

Most flat owners in Mumbai are members of a co-operative housing society registered under the 1960 Maharashtra law on co-operative societies, which makes society law one of the most practical areas of law in the city.

• Membership and transfer. A buyer becomes a member of the society, and the society records the transfer of shares. Disputes over refusal of membership, transfer fees and nominations are common, and society bye-laws matter as much as the law.
• Society management. Elections, maintenance charges, accounts, repairs and parking disputes go first to the society's committee, then to the Deputy or Assistant Registrar of co-operative societies, and many disputes to the co-operative court.
• Redevelopment. Older buildings across Mumbai are being redeveloped. Decisions need the required majority of members at a properly called general body meeting, and agreements with developers set out the new area, rent for temporary accommodation, corpus and timelines. Disputes arise over consent, dissenting members, delays and developers who stop paying rent.
• Conveyance and deemed conveyance. A developer is legally bound to hand over title of the plot and structure to the society. If years pass without that transfer, the society may seek a deemed conveyance order from the district deputy registrar acting under the 1963 Ownership Flats Act (MOFA).
• Cessed buildings, MHADA and slum rehabilitation. Old cessed buildings in the island city, MHADA colonies and slum rehabilitation schemes under the Slum Rehabilitation Authority each have their own rules on tenants' rights, eligibility and redevelopment.

Advocates who handle society and redevelopment matters regularly appear before the co-operative registrars, co-operative courts, MahaRERA and the High Court. See the property lawyer in Mumbai guide.

Builder disputes: MahaRERA, consumer commission or civil court?

Flat buyers in the Mumbai region often have more than one forum available. Choosing well depends on what you want and how the project is registered.

How a MahaRERA complaint usually moves

1. Check the registration of the project and its promoter on MahaRERA's website, along with the declared completion date.
2. File the complaint online with the agreement, payment receipts and correspondence, and pay the fee.
3. Conciliation or hearing. Some complaints go to conciliation; others are heard by the authority, often online.
4. Order. The authority can direct possession, interest for delay, refund with interest or compliance with the agreement.
5. Appeal and execution. Appeals go to the Maharashtra Real Estate Appellate Tribunal; unpaid amounts can be recovered through the collector.

Family matters and marriage in Mumbai

The Family Court at Bandra

Divorce, maintenance, custody and guardianship cases for Mumbai are heard by the Family Court in the Bandra-Kurla Complex. Marriage counsellors attached to the court meet parties in contested matters, and many cases are referred to mediation. Mutual consent petitions are common and can be completed relatively quickly when terms on maintenance, custody and assets are agreed. Families living in Thane, Navi Mumbai or Kalyan approach the family courts in those areas.

Maintenance and domestic violence

A wife, child or parent unable to maintain themselves can ask for support under BNSS section 144, the personal laws and the domestic violence law. Applications under the domestic violence law are heard by Metropolitan Magistrates, often with the help of protection officers. Women can also turn to the state women's commission or ring 181 for help.

Marriage registration and court marriage

Marriages in Mumbai are registered with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's ward offices under the Maharashtra law on registration of marriages, while marriages under the Special Marriage Act, including inter-faith marriages, are handled by the Marriage Registrar's office after the 30-day notice period. See our court marriage service and marriage registration service.

Business, money and commercial disputes in Mumbai

As the headquarters of banks, stock exchanges, shipping lines, film studios and thousands of trading firms, Mumbai generates every kind of commercial dispute.

• Cheque bounce. Complaints under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act are filed before the Metropolitan Magistrate with jurisdiction over the payee's bank branch. Keep to the timelines: notice within 30 days of the return memo, and the case itself within 30 days once the 15 days given in the notice run out.
• Commercial suits. Business disputes worth ₹3 lakh and above fall under the Commercial Courts Act; in Mumbai, larger ones go to the High Court's commercial division and smaller ones to commercial courts in the City Civil Court. Most require pre-institution mediation first.
• Summary suits. Claims on written contracts and negotiable instruments can be brought as summary suits, where the defendant must obtain leave to defend.
• Arbitration. Mumbai is a major seat of arbitration, with institutions such as the Mumbai Centre for International Arbitration and many ad hoc arbitrations. Arbitration petitions are heard by the High Court or the City Civil Court depending on value.
• Company and insolvency. The NCLT Mumbai bench hears insolvency petitions by creditors and companies, oppression and mismanagement cases and mergers.
• Securities. Appeals against SEBI orders go to the Securities Appellate Tribunal in Mumbai.
• Intellectual property. Trademark, copyright and design disputes, including in the film and music industries, are often heard by the High Court's commercial division.

See the corporate lawyer in Mumbai and civil lawyer in Mumbai guides.

Consumer, employment and civic disputes in Mumbai

Consumer complaints

Mumbai City and Mumbai Suburban have district consumer commissions, and the Maharashtra State Commission sits in Mumbai. Where the price paid is ₹50 lakh or less, the district forum hears it; between ₹50 lakh and ₹2 crore the state forum; beyond ₹2 crore the National Commission in Delhi. Filing can be done from home on e-Jagriti. Builders, insurers, banks, airlines, hospitals and e-commerce sellers are frequent opponents. See the consumer lawyer in Mumbai guide.

Employment

Workmen's disputes go to the Labour Courts and Industrial Courts under Maharashtra and central law, including complaints of unfair labour practices. Managerial employees usually pursue claims under their contracts in civil courts. Sexual harassment at work is first complained of to the office's Internal Committee under the POSH Act, or, where there is none, to the district Local Committee. See the labour lawyer in Mumbai guide.

BMC and other authorities

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation handles property tax, building permissions, notices about unauthorised construction, dangerous buildings and demolition. MHADA, the Slum Rehabilitation Authority and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority deal with housing schemes and redevelopment. Notices from these bodies often give short deadlines, and their orders can be appealed internally or challenged in the High Court.

Slum rehabilitation, MHADA and cessed buildings

Slum rehabilitation schemes

Under slum rehabilitation schemes, eligible slum dwellers receive free permanent homes in new buildings, while the developer gets extra construction rights to sell. Eligibility depends on proof of residence before a cut-off date, and is decided by the competent authority, with appeals within the system and challenges in the High Court. Disputes arise over eligibility lists, transit rent, allotment of flats and the sale of rehabilitation flats before the lock-in period ends.

MHADA colonies and repair board buildings

MHADA built many housing colonies that are now being redeveloped, and its repair board looks after old cessed buildings in the island city. Tenants of cessed buildings have specific rights in reconstruction, including permanent alternative accommodation, and transit camps are used while buildings are rebuilt.

Dangerous buildings

The BMC classifies old buildings by their structural condition and can issue notices requiring repair or evacuation of buildings found dangerous. Residents faced with such notices often need quick advice on structural audits, objections, temporary accommodation and their rights in reconstruction.

How a Small Causes Court case usually unfolds

1. Notice. The landlord or licensor usually sends a legal notice terminating the tenancy or licence and demanding possession or arrears.
2. Filing. A suit or application is filed in the Small Causes Court, or before the competent authority for registered leave and licence agreements.
3. Summons and reply. The other side files its written statement, often raising tenancy protection or disputing the grounds.
4. Interim orders. The court can order deposit of rent or compensation during the case.
5. Evidence and arguments. Both sides lead evidence; the court decides whether the grounds for eviction are proved.
6. Decree and appeal. Appeals go to the appellate bench of the Small Causes Court, and further to the High Court on limited grounds.

Many such cases end in settlement, sometimes with the tenant receiving compensation to surrender the premises, which is common for old tenancies.

Court calendar in Mumbai

The Bombay High Court has a summer vacation, usually in May, and shorter breaks around Diwali and Christmas, during which a few judges sit as vacation benches for pressing work like bail pleas, stay orders and urgent injunctions. The city civil courts follow their own calendar, while criminal courts continue to deal with urgent work. Plan filings so that limitation does not expire during a vacation, and ask your advocate whether an urgent matter can be listed before a vacation bench.

NRIs and out-of-town owners with Mumbai matters

• Power of attorney. An NRI can appoint someone in Mumbai to act on a property or case by signing a power of attorney overseas, either before an Indian consulate or with an apostille in the country of residence. It must be stamped in Maharashtra within the time allowed, usually by presenting it to the stamp authorities after arrival.
• Society transfers. After a parent's death, the society will ask for the death certificate, nomination record or will, indemnities and consent from other heirs before transferring shares.
• Licensees. Use a registered leave and licence agreement and a trusted local representative; it makes recovery of the flat far easier.
• Redevelopment. NRIs can give consent and sign agreements through an attorney, but should review the agreement carefully, especially clauses on area, rent and timelines.
• Hearings. Courts often let a party join routine dates over video if asked; evidence may need physical presence or a commission.

More questions people in Mumbai ask

Free legal aid, Lok Adalats and mediation in Mumbai

Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act lists who gets a lawyer at state cost: all women and children, SC and ST persons, disabled persons, workmen in industry, people in jail or custody, victims of trafficking or disaster, and those earning below the notified limit. National Lok Adalats held several times a year settle pending cheque bounce, bank, motor accident and family matters by agreement, with court fees refunded on settlement of a pending case. Call 15100, or use our legal aid eligibility checker.

Practical points about going to court in Mumbai

• Language. The High Court works in English. The city courts use English and Marathi; many advocates also work in Hindi and Gujarati.
• E-filing and hybrid hearings. The Bombay High Court and many city courts accept e-filing and allow video hearings in suitable matters.
• Case status. City court cases can be tracked on the eCourts portal and app by CNR number; High Court cases on the High Court's website.
• Getting there. The High Court, City Civil Court and Esplanade court are close to CSMT and Churchgate; the Family Court and Bandra Small Causes branch are in Bandra. Plan for traffic and security checks.
• Timing. Mornings are busiest. Matters are often called out of turn in long boards; your advocate's clerk will track when yours is reached.
• Monsoon. Heavy rain can disrupt travel in July and August; courts sometimes adjust work on such days, so keep in touch with your advocate.

Find an advocate in Mumbai by practice area

What lawyers in Mumbai charge

Mumbai fees range widely. Advocates practising in the magistrates' courts, Small Causes Court and Family Court usually charge per appearance or a lump sum for defined work. High Court and tribunal work costs more, and original side litigation often involves both a solicitor's firm or advocate on record and counsel who argue. Court fees in Maharashtra are calculated on the value of the claim in money and property suits, and can be substantial.

• Ask what the fee covers, which stages, and whether counsel will be briefed.
• Clarify charges for appearances, drafting and conferences.
• Get receipts and prefer traceable payments.
• A lawyer may not ask for a percentage of the amount won or a fee that is payable only on success; Rule 20 of the Bar Council rules forbids it.

See the legal fees guide. You pay Mara Vakil nothing, and we take no cut from the advocate's fee either.

Legal help for particular groups in Mumbai

Senior citizens

Elderly parents and people over 60 may seek a monthly allowance from their children or heirs before the tribunal under the 2007 senior citizens' law, which in Maharashtra works through sub-divisional officers. Transfers of property made on the condition of care can be cancelled if the care is not provided. Many senior citizens in Mumbai also face redevelopment and society issues, where advice early on protects their rights.

Migrants and workers

Mumbai's workforce includes lakhs of migrant workers in construction, hospitality and domestic work. Unpaid wages, injuries and disputes with contractors can be taken to the labour authorities, the labour courts, or the legal services authority, where workmen in industry qualify for a free lawyer.

Women

Every woman qualifies for free legal aid regardless of income. Support is available from protection officers under the domestic violence law, the 181 helpline, the state women's commission and the Sakhi one-stop centres.

Film and creative professionals

Contracts with producers and platforms, unpaid fees, copyright in scripts and music, and personality rights are common issues in Mumbai's entertainment industry. These often go to arbitration or the High Court's commercial division.

NRIs

NRIs with flats in Mumbai often need help with society transfers after a parent's death, licensees who will not leave, and redevelopment consents. A Mumbai advocate can act through a power of attorney, and many matters can be handled by video.

How typical Mumbai problems play out

The stories below are made up to show common patterns; any resemblance to a real person is accidental.

Mumbai legal terms, explained

Original side

Jurisdiction of the Bombay High Court to try civil suits as a court of first instance; since 2023 it covers claims over ₹10 crore.

Small Causes Court

The Mumbai court that hears landlord, tenant and licence disputes.

Leave and licence

A permission to occupy premises for a period, without creating a tenancy; must be registered in Maharashtra.

Pagdi

A traditional tenancy system in Mumbai where the tenant pays a premium and low monthly rent.

Deemed conveyance

An order transferring land and building to a society when the builder fails to convey it.

Ready reckoner

The government's annual schedule of property values used for stamp duty.

Property card

The city survey record of land in Mumbai.

Cessed building

An old building in the island city whose repairs are funded through a cess, with special tenant protections.

This page gives general information about Indian law as of 15 October 2026. It is not legal advice and is not an advertisement or solicitation by any advocate, as restricted by Rule 36 of the Bar Council of India Rules. Laws and court practice change, and the right answer depends on your facts; confirm the position for your case with an advocate before acting. Mara Vakil is a technology platform, not a law firm. Read our disclaimer.