Litigation in India is based on a common law and can be said english common law because of the British rule in India for 100's of years.

Hierarchy of courts in India is single and has much of substantial European and American influence. Various acts and ordinances first introduced by the British are still in effect in modified form today. When the drafting of Indian contitution was happening the laws from Ireland, the United States, Britain, and France were all synthesized to get a refined set of Indian laws as it currently stands. Indian laws also adhere to the United Nations guidelines for human rights law and environmental laws. Certain international trade laws, such as those on intellectual property, are also enforced in India during that time.

All of Indian states drafts it own laws and has almost common laws. Laws directed by the central government and the Supreme Court of India via judicial precedent or general policy directives are binding on all citizens of each state. Each state has its own labor laws and taxation rates in India

India has Supreme Court at the apex of the hierarchy for the entire country 21 High Courts at the top of the hierarchy in each State. These courts have jurisdiction over a state, a union territory or a group of states and union territories. Below the High Courts are a hierarchy of subordinate courts such as the civil courts, family courts, criminal courts and various other district courts.

The High Courts in India can try all types of offences including those punishable with death. Most of the high courts in India has routine work of Appeals from lowers courts and writ petitions in terms of Article 226 of the Constitution of India. The precise jurisdiction of each High Court varies.

In India each state is divided into judicial districts presided over by a 'District and Sessions Judge'. A District Judge is one who presides over a civil case, and a Sessions Judge is who presides over a criminal case. He is the highest judicial authority below a High Court judge. Below him, there are courts of civil jurisdiction, known by different names in different states.