A legal notice is a formal letter, sent by an advocate on your behalf, that demands payment and states what will follow if the demand is ignored. In many recovery matters, it is the step that resolves the dispute. For several remedies, it is also a legal requirement.
When a notice is mandatory
- Cheque bounce: Section 138, Negotiable Instruments Act, within 30 days of the return memo;
- Insolvency (operational creditors): a demand notice under Section 8, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, before applying to the NCLT;
- Arbitration: a notice invoking arbitration under Section 21, Arbitration and Conciliation Act, which formally starts the proceedings;
- Suits against the government: Section 80, Code of Civil Procedure, generally two months' notice.
What an effective notice contains
- precise identification of the parties, the contract and the invoices;
- a clear statement of the amount due, with interest and how it is calculated;
- references to the documents and acknowledgments that prove the debt;
- a specific deadline for payment;
- the action you will take if payment is not made, stated firmly but accurately.
More detail: What makes a legal notice effective.
How we serve notices
We send notices by Registered Post with acknowledgment and, where appropriate, by speed post, courier and email, so that service can be proved later. We keep complete records for any proceedings that follow.
Received a legal notice?
Don't ignore it. A considered reply, sent within the deadline, can correct inaccurate claims, put your defence on record, and open the door to settlement. We draft replies for businesses and individuals.
Frequently asked questions
How much time should a legal notice give for payment?
Commonly 7 to 15 days, unless a statute fixes the period. For example, a cheque bounce notice must give 15 days, and an IBC demand notice gives 10 days to respond.
Can a legal notice be sent by email or WhatsApp?
Courts increasingly accept electronic service, but we usually combine it with Registered Post so that service is easy to prove.
What happens if the debtor ignores the notice?
You can proceed with the remedy stated in the notice, such as a cheque bounce complaint, a suit, arbitration or an NCLT application, depending on your claim.
This page is general information about Indian law as of 15 October 2026, not legal advice. Every case turns on its own facts. Please speak to a lawyer before acting on it. See our disclaimer.
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