When it is used
- Recovering unpaid dues: invoices, a loan, rent, salary or a security deposit.
- Putting the other side on record before filing a civil suit, so the court can see you gave them a chance to pay.
- Starting a commercial dispute, where pre-institution mediation may also be required before the suit.
- As the first step in many other disputes, such as breach of contract, consumer complaints or property matters, with the facts and demand changed.
Legal notice for recovery of money format
Replace everything in [square brackets] and delete the options that don't apply.
LEGAL NOTICE By Registered Post A.D. / Speed Post [and email] Ref. No.: [____] Date: [DD/MM/YYYY] To, [Name of the noticee] [Full postal address] Subject: Legal notice for recovery of Rs. [amount] due under [invoice no. / loan / agreement dated ____] Sir / Madam, Under instructions from and on behalf of my client, [client's full name], [son / daughter / wife of ____, aged ___ years / a company incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013], residing at / having its office at [address] (hereinafter "my client"), I hereby serve upon you the following legal notice: 1. That at your request, my client [supplied goods / rendered services / advanced a loan] to you on [date(s)], as recorded in [invoice no. / agreement / receipt dated ____]. 2. That a sum of Rs. [amount] (Rupees [amount in words] only) thereby became due and payable by you to my client on [due date]. 3. That despite repeated requests by my client, including on [dates, by calls / letters / emails], you have failed and neglected to pay the said amount. [Out of the total, you paid only Rs. ____ on ____.] 4. That your failure to pay is wilful and has caused my client financial loss and hardship. [The said amount carries interest at ___% per annum as agreed between the parties.] 5. That you are therefore liable to pay my client Rs. [principal amount] together with interest at [___]% per annum from [date] until the date of actual payment. I therefore call upon you, by this notice, to pay my client the sum of Rs. [amount] along with interest as stated above, within 15 (fifteen) days of receipt of this notice, by [bank transfer to account no. ____, IFSC ____ / demand draft in favour of ____]. Take notice that if you fail to comply within the said period, my client has instructed me to initiate appropriate civil and/or criminal proceedings against you before the competent court, entirely at your risk as to costs and consequences. You are also called upon to pay Rs. [amount] towards the cost of this notice. A copy of this notice has been retained in my office for record and further action. [Signature] [Advocate's name] Advocate, Enrolment No. [____] [Chamber address] [Phone] | [Email]
Before you use it
For a dishonoured cheque, use a Section 138 notice instead: it must be sent within 30 days of the bank's return memo and give the drawer 15 days to pay. This is a general format for information, not legal advice. Adapt it to your facts, your court and your State's rules, and have an advocate check it.
What to include
- Full and correct name and address of the noticee; a wrong address can make the notice ineffective.
- The exact amount due, in figures and words, and the document it arises from.
- Dates of supply, due date and every reminder sent, in order.
- A clear demand with a time limit (15 days is common) and how to pay.
- What your client will do if the notice is ignored.
- The advocate's signature, enrolment number and contact details.
- Proof of dispatch and delivery: keep the postal receipt, tracking report and A.D. card.
Common mistakes
- Overstating the amount or adding claims you cannot prove; the notice will be read alongside your plaint later.
- Threatening criminal action where the dispute is purely civil.
- Sending a cheque-bounce notice in this general format: a notice under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act has its own strict timelines.
- Missing limitation: a claim for money is generally time-barred three years after it fell due, and a notice does not extend that period.
Draft it with AI instead
In Xegality Drafting, describe the facts in English, Hindi or Hinglish and the AI drafts the legal notice for you. You can then check citations and risks, share it with your client for approval, and keep it with the case in your case diary.
