Types of Legal Notices in India

1. Civil Legal Notice

Applicable Laws:

• Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (CPC)
• Indian Contract Act, 1872

Purpose / Meaning:
Issued before filing a civil suit to:

• Demand performance of obligation
• Seek recovery of money/property
• Give last opportunity to settle dispute

📌 Common in:

• Property disputes
• Recovery suits
• Injunction matters

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2. Legal Notice under Section 80 CPC (Notice to Government)

Applicable Act:

• Section 80, Code of Civil Procedure, 1908

Purpose / Meaning:
Mandatory notice before filing a suit against:

• Central / State Government
• Public officers for official acts

2 months’ notice is compulsory (except urgent cases).

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3. Cheque Bounce Legal Notice

Applicable Act:

• Section 138, Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881

Purpose / Meaning:
Sent by payee to drawer when cheque is dishonoured:

• Demands payment within 15 days
• Mandatory before filing criminal complaint

Without notice → case not maintainable.

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4. Consumer Legal Notice

Applicable Act:

• Consumer Protection Act, 2019

Purpose / Meaning:
Issued against:

• Defective goods
• Deficient services
• Unfair trade practices

Not mandatory, but strongly recommended.

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5. Legal Notice for Recovery of Money

Applicable Acts:

• Indian Contract Act, 1872
• CPC, 1908

Purpose / Meaning:
To demand payment of:

• Loan
• Outstanding dues
• Professional fees

Often leads to settlement without litigation.

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6. Employment / Labour Legal Notice

Applicable Laws:

• Industrial Disputes Act, 1947
• Shops & Establishments Acts
• Contract Act

Purpose / Meaning:
Used by employer or employee for:

• Illegal termination
• Salary dues
• Breach of employment contract

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7. Legal Notice for Divorce / Matrimonial Disputes

Applicable Acts:

• Hindu Marriage Act, 1955
• Special Marriage Act, 1954
• Muslim / Christian personal laws

Purpose / Meaning:
Issued for:

• Divorce intention
• Maintenance
• Restitution of conjugal rights

Acts as pre-litigation intimation.

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8. Legal Notice for Property Matters

Applicable Acts:

• Transfer of Property Act, 1882
• CPC, 1908

Purpose / Meaning:
Used for:

• Eviction
• Possession
• Encroachment
• Partition disputes

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9. Tenant–Landlord Legal Notice

Applicable Acts:

• Transfer of Property Act, 1882
• Rent Control Acts (State-specific)

Purpose / Meaning:
Issued for:

• Termination of tenancy
• Rent arrears
• Eviction demand

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10. Copyright / Trademark / IP Legal Notice

Applicable Acts:

• Copyright Act, 1957
• Trade Marks Act, 1999
• Patents Act, 1970

Purpose / Meaning:
Sent to stop:

• Infringement
• Unauthorized use
• Passing off

Often called Cease & Desist Notice.

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11. Defamation Legal Notice

Applicable Laws:

• IPC / BNS (Criminal Defamation)
• Law of Torts (Civil Defamation)

Purpose / Meaning:
Issued for:

• False allegations
• Reputation damage
• Media / social media content

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12. Company / Corporate Legal Notice

Applicable Acts:

• Companies Act, 2013
• Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016

Purpose / Meaning:
Used for:

• Shareholder disputes
• Oppression & mismanagement
• Debt default (IBC demand notice)

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13. Legal Notice under IBC (Demand Notice)

Applicable Act:

• Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code, 2016

Purpose / Meaning:
Issued by operational creditor to:

• Demand unpaid operational debt
• Trigger insolvency process

Mandatory before filing NCLT petition.

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14. Legal Notice for Breach of Contract

Applicable Act:

• Indian Contract Act, 1872

Purpose / Meaning:
Sent for:

• Non-performance
• Delay
• Violation of terms

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Quick Summary Table

Type	Act	Purpose
Civil Notice	CPC	Dispute settlement
Sec. 80 CPC	CPC	Notice to Government
Cheque Bounce	NI Act	Mandatory payment demand
Consumer	CPA 2019	Deficiency in service
Divorce	HMA / SMA	Matrimonial disputes
Property	TPA	Possession / eviction
Employment	Labour laws	Service disputes
IP	IP Acts	Stop infringement
IBC	IBC 2016	Debt recovery

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Conclusion (One Line)

Legal notice is a formal legal warning and opportunity to resolve disputes before litigation, governed by specific statutes depending on the nature of dispute.