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A legal notice formally puts the other side on notice of your claim. In some cases it is legally mandatory; in many others it resolves the dispute without going to court.
Last reviewed: October 2026 · General information only, not legal advice.
| Situation | Notice | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Cheque bounce | Demand notice within 30 days of return memo | NI Act 138 |
| Suit against the Government or a public officer | 2 months' notice before filing | CPC 80 |
| Operational creditor against a company | Demand notice; 10 days to reply or pay | IBC 8 |
| Bank enforcing security | 60-day demand notice | SARFAESI 13(2) |
| Commercial suit | Pre-institution mediation (unless urgent relief) | Commercial Courts Act 12A |
Send it by registered post / speed post with acknowledgement, and also by email. Keep proof of dispatch and delivery — it is often key evidence.
There is usually no legal obligation to reply, except where a statute requires a response, such as an IBC demand notice. However, it is advisable to send a proper reply, because silence may be used against you and the reply records your defence at an early stage.
Most notices give 7 to 30 days. Statutory notices have fixed periods, such as 15 days to pay in a cheque bounce notice and 10 days to respond to an IBC demand notice.
Courts have accepted service by email and WhatsApp in several situations. It is still safest to send the notice by registered or speed post as well, and to keep proof of delivery.
Every case turns on its own facts. Speak to Advocate Ajay Mishra for advice specific to your situation — in person at IP Extension (Delhi) or Vaishali (Ghaziabad), by phone, or by video call.