File a Consumer CasePromotional
End-to-end filing and pursuit of a consumer complaint before the District, State or National Consumer Commission for defective goods or poor service.
- Estimate Cost
- ₹10,000 – ₹50,000 Concessional Price
- Typical duration
- 90 days
Service overview
Representation and procedural support before the appropriate Consumer Commission — from checking whether your matter is a consumer dispute, through drafting and filing the complaint, to hearings and enforcement of the order.
The aim is to turn a consumer grievance into a clearly evidenced proceeding with a realistic claim for relief.
Who needs it? / When is it needed?
Consumers dealing with defective products, deficient services, unfair trade practices, misleading advertisements or other consumer-law violations, where a notice or negotiation has not resolved the matter.
A complaint should generally be filed within two years of the cause of action; advice should be taken early, before evidence is lost.
What to expect from the WCP Professionals
- Check of consumer status, limitation and pecuniary jurisdiction
- Selection of the correct District, State or National Commission
- Organisation of the invoice, warranty, complaint history and evidence of loss
- Quantification of the relief — refund, replacement, compensation and costs
- Drafting and filing of the complaint, online or physically
- Replies to objections, written submissions and hearing appearances
- Steps to enforce the order or file an appeal, where part of the engagement
Key deliverables
- Merits and jurisdiction assessment
- Drafted consumer complaint with affidavit
- Indexed evidence bundle
- Filing, online or at the registry
- Written submissions and rejoinder
- Hearing representation
- Execution or appeal support, where engaged
Standard turnaround time
Complaint preparation: generally 5–15 working days after complete documents are received.
The Commission decides admissibility within about 21 days of filing. The Act aims to dispose of a complaint within 3 months of notice to the opposite party, or 5 months where goods must be tested — in practice, listings and adjournments often extend this.
Government fees, timelines & key outcomes
Filing fees are slab-based on the value of goods or services paid as consideration:
- Up to ₹5 lakh — nil
- ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh — ₹200
- ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh — ₹400
- ₹20 lakh to ₹50 lakh — ₹1,000
- Above ₹50 lakh — ₹2,000 to ₹7,500 depending on the slab
Pecuniary jurisdiction: District Commission up to ₹50 lakh; State Commission above ₹50 lakh up to ₹2 crore; National Commission above ₹2 crore. Fees are verified against the current rules at the time of filing.
Key outcomes: an order for refund, replacement, removal of the defect, compensation for loss or injury, discontinuance of the unfair practice and litigation costs.
Forms & filings involved
- Consumer complaint with supporting affidavit
- List of documents and annexures
- Authorisation letter or vakalatnama
- Application for condonation of delay, where required
- Interim, review or appeal applications, where required
Filing is made online through the Department of Consumer Affairs' e-filing portal (e-Jagriti) or physically at the Commission.
Documents required
- Bills and invoices
- Agreements or terms of service
- Warranty or guarantee card
- Service and repair records
- Emails, chats and complaint ticket numbers
- Photographs or videos
- Expert or inspection reports, where available
- Proof of payment
- Copy of any legal notice and the reply received
- Identity and address proof of the complainant
What we need from you
- A complete transaction file
- Details of the loss suffered and the relief sought
- Prompt signatures on the complaint and affidavit
- Availability for hearings where personal appearance is required
The claim should be based on the loss and the evidence rather than an arbitrary demand.
Important conditions
Not every commercial dispute is a consumer dispute — goods or services bought for resale or a commercial purpose are generally excluded.
Consumer status, limitation, pecuniary jurisdiction and the nature of the transaction are checked before filing.
No outcome or compensation amount can be guaranteed; the Commission decides on the evidence.
Additional information
With both parties' consent, the Commission may refer the dispute to mediation at any stage, and a mediated settlement is recorded as an order.
Estimated cost covers professional fees for a District Commission complaint; State and National Commission matters, appeals and execution are quoted separately. Filing fees are payable at actuals.
The estimated cost covers indicative professional fees only. Government fees, stamp duty and taxes are payable at actuals.
How it works
- 1. Raise a service enquiry describing your requirement.
- 2. A Relationship Manager reviews it and opens it for bidding.
- 3. Pay into escrow and assign the professional you select.
- 4. Track progress to completion, then accept and release payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fee for filing a consumer complaint?
It is slab-based on the value of goods or services paid. There is no fee for claims up to ₹5 lakh; above that it rises from ₹200 to a maximum of ₹7,500 for the highest slab before the National Commission.
How long does a consumer case take?
The Act aims for disposal within 3 months of notice to the opposite party, or 5 months where goods need testing. In practice, the Commission's listings and adjournments can extend this.
What is the limitation period for a consumer complaint?
Two years from the date the cause of action arose. A delayed complaint can be admitted only if the Commission accepts that there was sufficient cause for the delay.
Can I file a consumer complaint where I live rather than where the seller is?
Yes. Under the 2019 Act, a complaint can be filed where the complainant resides or personally works for gain, as well as where the opposite party resides or carries on business.
Do I need a lawyer to file a consumer complaint?
No, consumers can appear in person. An advocate helps with jurisdiction, drafting, evidence and hearings, which matters most where the claim is large or the opposite party contests it.
What relief can the Consumer Commission grant?
It can order a refund, replacement, repair, compensation for loss or injury, discontinuance of an unfair trade practice, corrective advertising and litigation costs.