Introduction
A Legal Notice is a formal written communication sent to a person or organisation, informing them of a legal claim and giving them an opportunity to respond before legal action is initiated. It is an important first step in most consumer cases.
Why Is a Legal Notice Important?
- It puts the other party on formal notice of your claim
- It gives them an opportunity to resolve the matter without court proceedings
- It serves as evidence before the court that you tried to resolve the matter
- Many companies resolve issues only after receiving a legal notice
Format of a Legal Notice
Heading
The notice should clearly state LEGAL NOTICE at the top, followed by the name and address of the sender, the date, and the name and address of the recipient.
Subject
A short, clear subject line: e.g., Legal Notice for Non-Delivery of Product and Claiming Refund of Rs. 25,000/-
Body of the Notice
- Relationship: Who you are and your relationship with the opposite party
- Facts: Chronological account of what happened — dates, amounts, specific incidents
- Grievance: What the problem is and how it affects you
- Legal Basis: Reference to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 or other applicable law
- Demand: What you are specifically demanding (refund, replacement, compensation)
- Deadline: A specific time period (usually 15-30 days) within which they must respond or comply
- Consequence: That failure to comply will result in legal proceedings before the appropriate consumer commission
How to Send a Legal Notice
- By Speed Post or Registered Post: Keep the postal receipt as proof
- By Email: Send to the official/registered email ID of the company and keep a copy
- Through an Advocate: More impactful — advocate signs on official letterhead
Advocate Charges for Drafting a Legal Notice
Advocate fees for drafting a legal notice vary from Rs. 500 to Rs. 5,000 or more depending on complexity, the advocate’s experience, and the city. For simpler consumer cases, you can also draft the notice yourself.