Legal Notice Drafting and Reply Signed and sent by an advocate, with your documents in order
Send a legal notice to recover money, enforce a contract or deal with a tenant, employer or seller, or reply to a notice you have received. The notice is drafted, signed and sent by an advocate we work with. Regikart gathers your facts, documents and figures, coordinates the drafting and tracks delivery.
Reviewed by an advocate we work with · Last updated 21 September 2026
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Legal Notice
What is a legal notice?
A legal notice is a formal written communication that tells the other party what they did wrong, what legal right you rely on, and what you want them to do by a set date. If they do not comply, you can go to court or another forum.
Most notices are sent on an advocate's letterhead and signed by the advocate on your behalf. The law does not require an advocate for most notices, and you can write one yourself. People use an advocate because the notice then states the legal position correctly, avoids admissions that can hurt you later, and shows the other side you are ready to act.
A good notice often settles the matter. Many payment and contract disputes end with a reply and a payment plan, without any case being filed.
Is a legal notice mandatory before going to court?
Not always. A notice is required by law in some situations, and in most other disputes it is strongly advisable because it creates a written record and gives the other side a fair chance to settle.
Suits against the government: section 80 CPC
Before you file a civil suit against the government or a public officer for an act done in their official capacity, section 80 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 requires a written notice. You can file the suit only after two months from the date the notice is delivered.
The notice must state the cause of action, your name, description and address, and the relief you claim. If you need urgent relief, the court can allow the suit to be filed without the notice, but it will give the government a chance to respond before granting relief.
Cheque bounce: section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act
A dishonoured cheque becomes an offence under section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 only if you follow a strict sequence. Missing a step can end the criminal remedy.
| Step | Time limit |
|---|---|
| Present the cheque to the bank | Within six months of the date on the cheque, or within its validity period, whichever is earlier |
| Send a written demand notice to the drawer | Within 30 days of receiving the bank's information that the cheque was returned unpaid |
| Drawer pays the amount | Within 15 days of receiving your notice |
| File a complaint before the magistrate if not paid | Within one month after the 15-day period ends (the court can admit a late complaint if you show sufficient cause) |
The offence is punishable with imprisonment up to two years, a fine up to twice the cheque amount, or both.
When your contract requires notice
Many agreements say a party must give written notice before terminating, claiming damages or starting arbitration. Read the notice clause before sending anything: it may fix the address, the mode (registered post, courier or email) and the period to cure the breach. A notice that ignores the contract's own procedure can weaken your case.
Types of legal notice we handle
We handle notices for most civil and commercial disputes. The table shows the common ones and what usually follows if the notice is ignored.
| Type of notice | Typical situation | What the notice asks for | If ignored, the usual next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Money recovery | Unpaid invoices, loans, advances, deposits | Payment of the amount, with interest where agreed, by a date | Civil suit for recovery. See recovery notice (from ₹1,999) |
| Cheque bounce | Cheque returned for insufficient funds or other reasons | Payment within 15 days of receipt | Complaint under section 138 NI Act |
| Property and tenant | Unpaid rent, overstaying tenant, damage, return of security deposit | Vacate, pay dues or refund deposit | Suit or proceedings under the rent agreement and your state's rent law |
| Employment | Unpaid salary or dues, wrongful termination, withheld relieving letter, breach of a non-compete by an employee | Payment of dues, release of documents, or stopping a breach | Complaint to the labour authority or a civil claim |
| Consumer complaint | Defective product, poor service, refund refused | Refund, replacement or compensation | Complaint before the consumer commission |
| Breach of contract | Supplier, customer or partner not performing | Performance, damages or termination | Civil suit or arbitration under the contract |
| Defamation | False statements harming your reputation | Withdrawal, apology and damages | Civil suit for damages and, in some cases, a criminal complaint |
| Trademark or IP infringement | Someone using your brand name, logo or content | Stop using it, remove listings, account for profits | Infringement suit. See trademark infringement action |
What a legal notice contains
A legal notice should be complete enough that a judge reading it later understands the dispute without any other paper. A well-drafted notice includes:
- The sender's and recipient's full names and addresses, and the advocate's details.
- The facts in date order: the agreement, what was supplied or paid, and what went wrong.
- The documents relied on, such as the contract, invoices, cheque details and earlier emails.
- The legal basis: the contract clause or law that gives you the right you are claiming.
- A clear demand: the exact amount, action or undertaking you want.
- A deadline to comply, commonly 15 or 30 days, or the statutory period where one applies.
- What you will do if the demand is not met.
- The advocate's signature and the date.
Avoid threats, abuse and exaggeration. Anything in the notice can be read back to you in court.
How a legal notice is sent
The standard mode is registered post with acknowledgement due or speed post, because the postal receipt and delivery record prove the notice was sent and received. Keep the receipt, the tracking printout and the returned acknowledgement card.
We also send a copy by email, and by WhatsApp where you have been dealing with the other side on it. Rely on email alone only where your contract allows notices by email. If the recipient refuses the post, keep the returned envelope with the postal remark; it is part of your evidence.
Send the notice to every address you have for the recipient: the registered office for a company, and the residential and business addresses for an individual.
Legal notice fees
There is no government fee to send a legal notice. Our professional fee depends on the type of notice and the documents involved, and we quote it in writing after we review your case.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Professional fee, legal notice (send or reply) | On quote |
| Professional fee, money recovery notice | From ₹1,999 (see recovery notice) |
| Government fee to send a legal notice | No government fee |
| Postage (registered post AD or speed post) | At actuals |
| Court fee | Only if a case is later filed, as per the court fee law of the state where it is filed |
Professional fees exclude GST at 18%. Government fees, where they apply, are paid at actuals to the department and are shown separately. Fees verified on 21 September 2026.
What is included
- A review of your facts and documents, and a written fee quote before work starts
- A timeline of events and a statement of dues prepared from your invoices, ledgers or bank records
- Drafting, signature and dispatch of the notice by an advocate we work with
- One round of changes after you read the draft
- Dispatch by registered post AD or speed post, with an email copy
- Delivery tracking and the proof of dispatch and delivery sent to you
- A note on the next steps and dates if there is no reply
How it works, step by step
The process has four steps.
- Case review. Share the facts, the other party's details and your documents on WhatsApp or email. We check whether a notice is the right step and whether any statutory deadline, such as the 30-day cheque bounce limit, is running.
- Facts and figures. We build the chronology and the amount claimed, with interest where the contract provides for it.
- Drafting and advocate signature. The advocate drafts the notice. You review the draft, we make changes, and the advocate signs it.
- Dispatch and tracking. The notice goes by registered post AD or speed post, with an email copy. We send you the proof of dispatch and track delivery.
If a deadline is close, tell us on the first message. A cheque bounce notice sent on day 31 is too late for the criminal complaint.
Got a dispute you want to settle before court?
Send us the facts and your documents. We tell you whether a notice is the right step, which deadline applies and what it will cost, before you commit.
Received a legal notice? How to reply
Read the notice carefully, note the deadline it gives, and get a considered reply sent before that date. The law does not fix one reply period for an ordinary legal notice, but replying within the time given shows good faith and puts your side on record.
A reply should answer each allegation, deny what is wrong, state your version of the facts with documents, and raise any counter-claim you have. We prepare the facts and documents, and the advocate drafts, signs and sends the reply the same way as a notice.
If you received a cheque bounce notice, the 15-day payment period is critical. Paying within 15 days of receiving the notice means the offence under section 138 is not completed.
What not to do
- Do not ignore it. Silence lets the other side say you had no answer.
- Do not call or message the sender to argue. Anything you say can be used later.
- Do not admit liability or an amount in a hurry. Check the figures first.
- Do not send a reply without keeping proof of dispatch.
- Do not destroy or edit emails, invoices or chats connected to the dispute.
What happens after a legal notice
If the other side pays, performs or agrees a settlement, put the settlement in writing and the matter ends there. If they ignore the notice or refuse, you choose the forum that fits the dispute.
Civil suit and the three-year limit
Most money and contract claims go to a civil court. Under the Limitation Act, 1963, the period for most such claims is three years: from the date of delivery for the price of goods sold, from the date the loan was made for money lent, and from the date of breach for compensation for breach of contract. Do not wait until the last months to send a notice.
Consumer commission
A consumer with a complaint against a seller or service provider can file before the consumer commission under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. A notice first gives the seller a chance to refund or replace, and the notice and any reply become part of your complaint file.
Cheque bounce complaint
If the drawer does not pay within 15 days of receiving your notice, you can file a complaint before the magistrate within the following one month. Keep the cheque, the bank's return memo, a copy of the notice, and the postal proof of dispatch and delivery.
Criminal complaints under the new criminal laws
Some disputes also involve a criminal offence, such as cheating. Since 1 July 2024, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 has replaced the Indian Penal Code, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 has replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 has replaced the Indian Evidence Act. Notices that still cite "IPC 420" are out of date. Whether a criminal complaint fits your case is a question for the advocate; most payment disputes are civil matters.
Got a GST or income tax notice instead?
A notice from the GST department or the Income Tax Department is not a legal notice between private parties. It needs a reply on the government portal, within the time the notice gives, prepared by a CA.
- For GST notices such as ASMT-10, DRC-01A or DRC-01, see GST notice reply.
- For income tax notices such as an intimation under section 143(1), a defective return notice or a scrutiny notice, see income tax notice reply.
Documents to keep ready
Have these ready before you contact us. Scans or clear phone photos are fine.
- Your identity proof, and for a company or firm, the authorisation for the person instructing us
- The other party's full name and every address you have
- The contract, purchase order, rent agreement or appointment letter
- Invoices, ledger extract or statement of account for money claims
- The cheque copy and the bank's return memo for a cheque bounce notice
- Emails, letters, WhatsApp chats and earlier notices about the dispute
- For a reply: the notice you received and the envelope or email showing the date you received it
Why use Regikart for a legal notice
Regikart serves 250+ clients from offices in Kolkata (head office), Delhi and Bengaluru. For legal notices, we prepare the facts and figures and an advocate we work with drafts, signs and sends the notice.
- The numbers are right. Most notices are about money. Our accountants build the statement of dues and interest from your invoices and ledgers, so the amount claimed stands up.
- Advocate-signed. The notice goes out on an advocate's letterhead with their signature.
- Fee in writing first. We review your case and quote in writing before any work starts.
- One team for what comes next: contracts that prevent the next dispute, service agreements, NDAs and tax notice replies.
Send or answer your legal notice
If someone owes you money, a cheque has bounced, or you have received a notice and the clock is running, send us the facts today.
Talk to us about your notice
Fee quoted in writing before work starts. No government fee to send a notice.
Call +91 70444 94804 or email [email protected]. Offices in Kolkata (head office), Delhi and Bengaluru. Contact us.
Other legal services
Recovery notice · Legal contract · Service agreement · NDA · Power of attorney · Affidavit · GST notice reply · Income tax notice reply
Legal notice FAQs
What is a legal notice?
A legal notice is a formal written communication, usually sent by an advocate, that tells the other party what they did wrong, the legal right you rely on, and what you want them to do by a set date. If they do not comply, you can go to court or another forum. Many disputes settle at the notice stage.
Is a legal notice mandatory before filing a case?
Not always. It is required before a civil suit against the government under section 80 of the Code of Civil Procedure, with a two-month wait after delivery, and for a cheque bounce complaint under section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. Many contracts also require notice. In other disputes it is optional but strongly advisable.
Do I need a lawyer to send a legal notice?
For most notices the law does not require an advocate, and you can send one yourself. Most people use an advocate because the notice then states the legal position correctly, avoids admissions that can hurt later, and signals that you are ready to go to court. With Regikart, an advocate we work with drafts, signs and sends the notice.
Can a legal notice be sent by email or WhatsApp?
Registered post with acknowledgement due or speed post is the standard, because the postal record proves dispatch and delivery. Email and WhatsApp copies are useful in addition. Rely on email alone only if your contract allows notices by email. Always keep the postal receipt, tracking record and any returned envelope.
How many days do I have to reply to a legal notice?
The law does not fix one reply period for an ordinary legal notice. The notice itself usually gives a deadline, commonly 15 or 30 days. Reply within that time so your side is on record. For a cheque bounce notice, the drawer has 15 days from receiving it to pay before a complaint can be filed.
What happens if I ignore a legal notice?
The sender can go ahead with a civil suit, a consumer complaint or, for a bounced cheque, a complaint before the magistrate. Your silence can be pointed to later as showing you had no answer. Ignoring a cheque bounce notice beyond 15 days completes the offence under section 138. A short, careful reply is almost always better.
How much does it cost to send a legal notice?
There is no government fee to send a legal notice. You pay the professional fee and postage. Regikart quotes the fee in writing after reviewing your case, because it depends on the type of notice and documents. A money recovery notice starts at ₹1,999. Court fees arise only if a case is later filed.
What is the time limit for sending a cheque bounce notice?
You must send the written demand within 30 days of receiving the bank's information that the cheque was returned unpaid. The drawer then has 15 days from receiving the notice to pay. If they do not, you can file a complaint before the magistrate within one month after those 15 days end.
Can I send a legal notice to recover money owed for more than three years?
You can send the notice, but a court claim may be time-barred. Under the Limitation Act, most money claims must be filed within three years, counted from delivery of goods, the date of a loan or the date of breach, depending on the claim. Some exceptions can apply on the facts, so have the advocate check before relying on an old claim.
How do I send a legal notice to my employer for unpaid salary?
Collect your appointment letter, salary slips, bank statements showing missed credits, and emails about the dues. The notice lists the months and amounts unpaid, any other dues, and a deadline to pay. If the employer does not pay, the next step is usually a complaint to the labour authority or a civil claim.
What should a legal notice contain?
It should give both parties' names and addresses, the facts in date order, the documents relied on, the legal basis for your claim, a clear demand, a deadline to comply, what you will do if the demand is not met, and the advocate's signature and date. It should avoid threats and exaggeration, because it can be read in court.
I got a GST or income tax notice. Is this the right service?
No. A notice from the GST department or the Income Tax Department needs a reply on the government portal within the time the notice gives, prepared by a CA. See our GST notice reply service for notices such as ASMT-10 or DRC-01, and our income tax notice reply service for intimations and scrutiny notices.
Legal notice mila hai, ab kya karna chahiye?
Do not ignore it and do not argue with the sender by phone. Note the deadline in the notice, collect your contract, invoices, chats and payment records, and get a point-by-point reply sent by an advocate before that date. If it is a cheque bounce notice, remember the 15-day payment period. Send it to us on WhatsApp and we will review it.