Most business disputes do not start with bad intentions. They start with an email thread that nobody can interpret a year later. A short, well-drafted document that records who does what, for how much and by when is often the cheapest protection a small business can buy. For companies searching for the best legal drafting services in Delhi, the real test is whether the document fits the deal and can be relied on when it matters.
This page explains what we draft, the Indian contract law basics that decide whether a clause will hold up, how stamp duty and e-stamping work, what you need to share, how the process runs, and what it costs. It also explains where drafting support ends and where you should involve an advocate.
The legal points were checked against the Indian Contract Act, 1872, the Indian Stamp Act, 1899 and official or reputable sources in October 2026. They are general information and not legal advice. PC Media House is a drafting support service, not a law firm.
Why a written agreement matters, even for a small deal
Under Section 10 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872, an agreement becomes a contract when it is made by the free consent of competent parties, for a lawful consideration and a lawful object, and is not expressly declared void. An oral contract can be valid. The difficulty is proof. When the amount, scope or deadline is disputed, a signed document answers most of the questions in a minute.
A written agreement also forces a conversation that many parties avoid at the start: what counts as completion, who owns the output, how disputes will be handled and what happens if one side walks away. These are easier to settle when the relationship is warm.
What a well-drafted document does
- Names the right legal parties and the people authorised to sign for them
- States each side's obligations, payment terms and timelines in measurable terms
- Allocates risk, through clauses on liability, indemnity, confidentiality and termination
- Chooses a way to resolve disputes and the law that applies
- Is stamped, signed and stored properly so it can be produced in evidence
Registering the entity properly comes first. If you are still setting up, our guides on private limited company registration and the common company registration mistakes explain how to avoid signing contracts in a name that does not yet exist.
Documents we draft: NDAs, MoUs, service agreements and more
Our drafting focuses on the documents that growing businesses sign most often. Each is written around your arrangement, with the points below as the baseline.
Non-disclosure agreements
An NDA is useful when you share a product plan, source code, a customer list or financial details with a vendor, investor or potential partner. A good one defines what counts as confidential and what does not, sets the permitted purpose, states how long the duty lasts, requires return or destruction of material, and names the forum for disputes. It can be one-way or mutual. It should not try to ban a person from working in their trade after the relationship ends, because Section 27 of the Contract Act makes such restraints void to that extent.
MoUs and term sheets
A memorandum of understanding records what two sides have agreed in principle. Whether it binds depends on its wording and the intention of the parties. We draft MoUs to state clearly which clauses bind, such as confidentiality, exclusivity for a fixed period and costs, and which clauses are only a statement of intent to negotiate a final agreement.
Service, consulting and vendor agreements
These are the workhorse contracts for agencies, freelancers, software firms and suppliers. They cover scope of work, deliverables and acceptance, fees and invoicing, GST and tax treatment, ownership of intellectual property, confidentiality, warranties, liability limits, termination and dispute resolution. Suppose a design studio engages a freelance developer on a three-month build. The agreement should say who owns the code on payment, what happens if milestones slip and how either side may end the work.
Founders, policies and others
Founders agreements deal with roles, equity, vesting and exit. Website and app owners need privacy policies and terms of use that match what the product actually collects, which is closely tied to your website. We also draft consultant agreements, and read drafts sent to you by the other party. For intellectual property, see our trademark registration and copyright registration services.
Contract law basics that decide whether a clause holds up
Courts in India will generally enforce a contract that meets the requirements of the Contract Act, but they will not enforce every clause. The sections below explain the points that come up most often when contracts are drafted for ordinary businesses.
| Provision | What it says in practice | Drafting consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Section 10 | A contract needs free consent, competent parties, lawful consideration and a lawful object | Parties, signatories and the purpose of the deal are stated clearly |
| Section 23 | An agreement whose object or consideration is unlawful, or against public policy, is void | Clauses that depend on something unlawful are avoided |
| Section 27 | An agreement that restrains a lawful profession, trade or business is void to that extent, with a narrow exception for sale of goodwill | Post-termination non-competes are not relied on; confidentiality is used instead |
| Section 28 | An agreement that absolutely bars legal proceedings or sets a shorter time to sue is void to that extent, but arbitration agreements are protected | Dispute resolution is drafted as arbitration or a court choice, not a bar on remedies |
| Section 73 | The party harmed by a breach can recover loss that arises naturally from it or that the parties foresaw | Obligations and consequences are written so that loss can be shown |
| Section 74 | Where a sum is named for breach, the injured party can recover reasonable compensation up to that amount | Liquidated damages clauses are framed as a genuine estimate, not an automatic penalty |
These are summaries of the statutory text for general understanding. Whether a particular clause is enforceable depends on the facts and the court.
Notice that none of this depends on the length of the document. A short contract that names the right parties, defines the work, states the price and chooses a forum is often stronger than a long one that copies clauses nobody understood.
Stamp duty, e-stamping and registration in Delhi
Stamp duty is the part of drafting that people most often discover after the signing. Duty is charged on instruments under the Indian Stamp Act, 1899, as it applies in each state, and the schedule of rates differs by type of instrument and by state. We therefore do not quote a single figure. We confirm the position for your document and the signing state.
In Delhi, physical stamp paper has been replaced by e-stamping. News reports from the launch in 2012 describe duty being paid at designated banks or sub-registrar offices through Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited, which issues a certificate with a unique identification number. Delhi revenue orders also refer to e-stamps issued through SHCIL. The details and thresholds can change, so confirm the current procedure before you sign.
What happens if the document is not properly stamped
Under Section 35 of the Indian Stamp Act, an instrument chargeable with duty cannot be admitted in evidence, or acted upon, unless it is duly stamped. The defect can be cured by paying the deficient duty and a penalty, which under the proviso is generally ten times the deficient amount. In December 2023, a seven-judge bench of the Supreme Court held that insufficient stamping does not make an arbitration agreement void or unenforceable, calling it a curable defect, and that stamping objections are for the tribunal to examine.
That ruling is helpful, but it does not make stamping optional. An unstamped document still needs to be cured before a court or tribunal can rely on it, and cure costs money and time.
Registration is a separate question
Registration under the Registration Act, 1908 applies to specified categories of documents, many of which relate to immovable property. Section 10 of the Contract Act itself notes that laws requiring writing, witnesses or registration are unaffected. Most NDAs, MoUs and service agreements do not need registration, but we flag it at intake if your document touches property.
How the drafting process works, and what we need from you
The process is the same whether you need one NDA or a set of agreements. We keep it short because delay usually comes from missing facts, not from drafting.
Step 1: Intake call
We ask about the parties, scope, price, duration and what each side fears. Share any quote, purchase order or email that already records terms.
Step 2: Scope and quote
We confirm the type and number of documents and send the fee in writing. The starting price is ₹2,999 per document.
Step 3: First draft
We prepare a draft with defined terms, numbered clauses, schedules and signing blocks, in plain language.
Step 4: Two review rounds
You comment, we revise, and the cycle runs twice. We explain in plain terms what each change does to your position.
Step 5: Stamping and signing guidance
We tell you the stamp duty approach for the signing state, who should sign, in what capacity, and whether witnesses or registration are needed.
Step 6: Final copy
You get a clean final document ready for stamping and signing. If an advocate is reviewing, we hand over the working file.
What to share
- Full legal names, constitution, addresses and signatories of each party
- A plain description of the deal: scope, price, dates, deliverables and exit
- Confidential material, intellectual property or personal data that will be shared
- Preferred dispute route and any limits you want on liability
- Any earlier emails, quotes, term sheets or drafts from the other side
With these facts in hand, a standard single document typically moves from intake to a signing-ready draft within a few working days. Complex or multi-party documents take longer, and we say so at the quote stage.
Fees: what is paid to us, and what is paid elsewhere
Drafting a private agreement does not carry a government fee. The cost items below are the ones you should plan for.
| Item | Amount | Who is paid |
|---|---|---|
| Drafting and two review rounds | From ₹2,999 per document | PC Media House |
| Stamp duty on the instrument | Varies by document type and state | Government, through e-stamping in Delhi |
| Registration fee, if required | Varies by state and document | Government |
| Notary or attestation, if you choose it | Varies | The notary |
| Advocate review, if you choose it | As agreed with the advocate | The advocate |
We confirm the stamp duty for your document before signing. We do not quote a figure on this page because rates change.
Our starting fee is ₹2,999 per document, with two review rounds included. The final quote depends on the type of document, the number of parties and annexures, and how far the deal departs from standard terms. Reading and redrafting a document sent by the other side is quoted on the same basis. If you want more than two rounds, we say so before we begin.
What changes the price
- Type of document and number of parties
- Annexures, schedules and multiple jurisdictions
- Starting from scratch, or redrafting another party's paper
- Additional review rounds beyond the two included
- Court-related drafts, which are scoped and quoted on their own
A small cost today usually compares well with the cost of a dispute over an unclear contract, but the comparison is yours to make, and we would rather you ask for the scope in writing than assume it.
Generic template or tailored draft: how they compare
Templates have a place. For a one-off, low-value arrangement with a trusted party, a simple template may be enough. The comparison below shows where tailored drafting earns its fee.
| Point | Generic template | Tailored draft with PC Media House |
|---|---|---|
| Fit to the deal | Written for an average case | Written around your parties, money and risks |
| Stamp duty and signing | You discover requirements later | Explained for the signing state before you sign |
| Review | None | Two review rounds with plain-language explanations |
| Enforceability | May contain clauses courts are unlikely to uphold | Checked against Contract Act basics |
| Cost | Free or very low | From ₹2,999 per document |
| Advocate review | Not included | Recommended for high-value matters; a clean working draft is handed over |
For fundraising, share transfers, property or any matter likely to be contested, engage an advocate alongside drafting support.
Our drafting service sits between the template and the full advocate engagement. It gives you a document written for your facts at a transparent starting price, and it keeps the door open for an advocate to review where the stakes call for it.
Common drafting mistakes that lead to disputes
- Signing with a brand name when the legal party is a company, LLP or individual with a different name
- Leaving scope, deliverables and acceptance undefined, so disagreements become arguments about what was meant
- Relying on a post-termination non-compete, which is generally void under Section 27
- Not stamping the document, or stamping it for the wrong state or the wrong instrument type
- Copying a penalty clause with a fixed amount that has no connection to likely loss, which a court may reduce under Section 74
- Forgetting to choose how disputes will be settled and which law applies
- Letting someone without authority sign for a company
Most of these are avoided with a half-hour intake, a clear scope, a stamp check and a signing checklist. They are cheaper to fix before signing than after a dispute begins.
After delivery, and how PC Media House works
Signing is not the end of the document's life. Keep the stamped original and a scanned copy together, diarise renewal and notice dates, and review the agreement when the business changes. If a counterparty stops performing, a formal letter is often the next step, which is where our legal notice services can prepare and dispatch a notice after your advocate has settled it. More of our work in this area is listed under legal and IPR services.
How we work
- Work is handled online from Delhi for businesses across Delhi NCR and India, with calls as the main channel and meetings only by appointment.
- You receive an itemised quote and a clear scope before drafting begins, with a starting fee of ₹2,999 per document.
- We are a drafting support service and not a law firm. We do not give legal advice or appear in court.
- Where the stakes are high or a dispute is likely, we recommend that an advocate reviews the document, and we hand over a clean working file.
- We tell you plainly what is outside the scope, including filing, representation and any outcome in a dispute.
To start, send a short description of the deal through the contact page, and we will confirm the document type and fee.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
PC Media House's professional fee starts from ₹2,999 per document and includes two review rounds. Complex, multi-party or court-related drafts are quoted separately in writing before work starts. Stamp duty, any registration fee and the cost of an advocate's review, if you choose one, are separate and paid by you to the government or the advocate.
Common business documents are covered: NDAs, MoUs, service and consulting agreements, vendor and distribution agreements, founders agreements, consultant agreements, and website privacy policies and terms of use. We also read a draft sent by the other party and propose changes. Court documents are a different scope, and we prepare them only as working drafts for your advocate.
A properly drafted NDA is an ordinary contract, and a breach can give rise to a claim for damages under Section 73 of the Indian Contract Act and, in suitable cases, an injunction. Courts look at whether information is truly confidential and the restraint reasonable. A clause that stops someone from working in their trade after the relationship ends is generally void under Section 27.
It depends on the wording and the intention of the parties. An MoU that records obligations, prices and timelines and is signed as an agreement can be enforced like any contract. One that only records intentions to negotiate may not be. We draft the MoU to state clearly which parts bind the parties and which parts are non-binding.
Most agreements are chargeable with stamp duty under the Indian Stamp Act, 1899 as applied in the relevant state, and the amount depends on the type of document. In Delhi, duty is paid electronically through e-stamping via SHCIL. An unstamped or under-stamped instrument cannot be admitted in evidence until the duty and a penalty are paid.
The instrument is generally not admissible in evidence until the deficiency is made good, and the penalty can be as high as ten times the missing duty. In December 2023, a seven-judge bench of the Supreme Court held that insufficient stamping does not make an arbitration agreement void. It treated the defect as curable, but avoiding it is cheaper than fixing it.
No. Registration under the Registration Act, 1908 is required for specified categories, which commonly involve immovable property, such as certain sale deeds and long leases. Most commercial agreements like NDAs and service contracts do not need it. We tell you at the start whether the document you want falls in a category that needs registration.
A standard single document typically reaches a first draft within a few working days of the intake call and your information. Two review rounds are included, in which you comment and we revise. Extra rounds, additional documents or a major change in the deal are scoped and quoted separately, so the starting price stays clear.
We are not a law firm and do not give legal advice. We provide drafting support and explain stamping and signing steps. For high-value contracts, fundraising, share transfers, property or any matter that may become a dispute, you should have an advocate review the document. We hand over a clean working draft to make that review quick.
Court-related drafting is a separate, individually quoted scope. We prepare working drafts from the facts and documents you provide, for your own advocate to review, settle, sign and file. We do not appear in court or file on your behalf, and the advocate remains responsible for the final document and for meeting limitation and procedural requirements.
Sources and Official Links
Facts on this page were checked against the sources below, last reviewed on 7 October 2026. Fees, thresholds and rules can change, so confirm the current position on the official site before you pay or file.
- indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/2187/2/A187209.pdf
- taxguru.in/corporate-law/consequences-non-payment-stamp-duty-non-registration-instruments.html
- casemine.com/in/column/insufficient-stamping-of-documents-in-india/view
- governancenow.com/gov-next/egov/delhi-govt-launches-e-stamping-facility
- revenue.delhi.gov.in/sites/default/files/revenue/important-news/e-stamp0001_1.pdf
- blog.ipleaders.in/purchase-stamp-paper-website-shcil