If you are owed a payment by a person, firm, company, contractor, or even a friend, you can legally recover the amount under civil law.

The process for recovering such payments is often handled through a summary procedure, which is designed for cases that can be swiftly decided without a full trial. If your case qualifies under Order XXXVII of the Civil Procedure Code (CPC) and is presented with strong evidence and arguments, it may be resolved within just a few hearings.

Here’s how the process works:

1. Filing the Case:
   You, as the plaintiff, file a suit under Order XXXVII of the CPC. This order is specifically designed for certain types of cases, such as those involving recovery of debts, and allows for a faster resolution.

2. Serving Notice:
   Once the suit is filed, a notice is served to the defendant (the person who owes you money). The notice informs them of the case and requires them to make an appearance in court.

3. Defendant’s Response:
   The defendant is required to appear in court within 10 days of receiving the notice. If they fail to do so, the court may proceed with the case in their absence.

4. Summary Judgment:
   If the defendant does not appear or fails to present a valid defense, the court may issue a summary judgment in your favor. This means the court will rule that the defendant owes you the money, and a decree will be issued for the payment.

5. Execution of the Decree:
   Once the court issues a decree in your favor, the next step is to execute the decree to recover the payment. If the debtor (defendant) has money or assets, the court can order their attachment and sale to satisfy the debt.

6. Attachment and Auction of Assets:
   If the debtor cannot pay the amount due, their assets may be attached (seized) by the court. These assets can then be auctioned, and the proceeds used to pay you.

7. Civil Imprisonment:
   If the debtor has no attachable assets, the court may order their civil imprisonment. This means the debtor can be arrested and detained until they fulfill their payment obligations, or until the court decides otherwise.

In summary, the legal process provides a structured way to recover payments due to you, with the possibility of quickly obtaining a judgment and enforcing it through the attachment of assets or civil imprisonment if necessary.