Some important points to be kept in mind:
- You can file a complaint before a consumer forum, only if you are a consumer, not if the transaction is business related
- Give notice in writing to service provider for him to rectify his faults; give one month notice
- Approach District Forum if claim amount is up to Rs 20 lakh, State Forum if between Rs 20 lakh and Rs 1 crore and National Commission if more than Rs 1 crore
- Complaint must be filed within 2 years of the cause of action (grievance)
- Complaint should be typed, double spaced, with at least one-and-a-half-inch margin on all sides
- Arrange the complaint in the following order and number all documents
- Index giving the page number(s) of each document
- Complaint giving details of the grievance, preferably in chronological order, ground on which relief is claimed and the relief amount
- Complainant should sign the Complaint
- Either appear before the Forum yourself or ask a close relative or an advocate to do so
- If an advocate is to appear, enclose a Vakalatnama; your advocate does all paper work and attends the hearings
- If close relative is to appear, enclose a letter of authority
- Affidavit that the contents of the complaint are true
- Copies of documents that support your case
- Submit one original and 2 xerox copies of the complaint; if admitted, submit as many copies as the number of opposite parties
Source: http://www.business-standard.com/article/pf/are-consumer-courts-friendly-enough-113021000984_1.html