Legal notice format for recovery of money
Last updated 26 September 2026
Short answer
A recovery notice is a written demand for an amount that is due. It states the amount, how it is worked out (including any interest), the documents that prove it, and a fixed time to pay, commonly 15 days, before you go to court.
A recovery notice is a written demand for an amount that is due, usually sent before going to court. It records the debt, gives the other side a fixed time to pay, and shows you tried to settle first. This page gives a sample you can adapt for an unpaid invoice, a loan or unpaid fees.
Time limits and key points
- A notice is not a legal requirement for most money suits, but it is standard practice, and a notice is required before suing the government (Section 80 of the Code of Civil Procedure).
- Many commercial disputes above the specified value must first go through pre-institution mediation before a commercial suit is filed (Section 12A of the Commercial Courts Act, 2015).
- Giving 15 days to pay is common. A shorter or longer time can be given, but it should be stated clearly.
- Claims must be brought within the limitation period, generally three years for a debt from when it became due. Check the rule that applies to your claim, and do not wait until the last days.
What to have ready
- Invoices, bills, agreement, loan record or account statement showing the amount due
- Proof of delivery of goods or services, or of the money given
- Any part payments received and the balance
- Previous reminders, messages, emails and any acknowledgement of the debt by the other side
- The other side's correct name, address and (for a company) its registered office
Sample format (English)
Replace everything in [square brackets] with your facts, and delete what does not apply.
[Advocate's name / Firm name]
[Address] | [Mobile] | [Email]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
BY REGISTERED POST A.D. / SPEED POST / EMAIL
To,
[Name of the debtor / company]
[Address]
Subject: Legal notice for payment of Rs. [amount] due on account of [invoice / loan / agreement]
Sir / Madam,
Under instructions from and on behalf of my client, [name], residing at / having its office at [address] ("my client"), I serve you with this notice:
1. That my client [supplied goods / rendered services / advanced a loan] to you as per [invoice no. ... dated ... / agreement dated ... / loan of Rs. ... on ...], and you agreed to pay the amount by [due date].
2. That despite delivery [and repeated reminders on [dates]], you have failed to pay. An amount of Rs. [amount] remains due, made up as follows: principal Rs. [amount] [and interest of Rs. [amount] at [rate]% per annum from [date] to [date]]. [You have paid only Rs. [amount] on [date] towards this.]
3. That your failure to pay is wrongful, and has caused my client loss and inconvenience.
4. That my client therefore calls upon you to pay Rs. [amount] [with further interest at [rate]% per annum from the date of this notice until payment] to my client within 15 (fifteen) days of receiving this notice.
5. That if you fail to do so, my client shall be constrained to initiate appropriate civil and / or criminal proceedings against you for recovery of the amount with interest and costs, at your risk as to costs and consequences.
6. That a copy of this notice has been retained in my office.
Yours faithfully,
[Signature]
[Name of the advocate]
Advocate for [client's name]
Enrolment no.: [number]नमूना प्रारूप (हिंदी)
[चौकोर कोष्ठक] में दी गई जानकारी अपने तथ्यों से बदलें और जो लागू न हो उसे हटा दें।
[अधिवक्ता का नाम / फर्म का नाम]
[पता] | [मोबाइल] | [ईमेल]
दिनांक: [दिन/माह/वर्ष]
रजिस्टर्ड डाक (पावती सहित) / स्पीड पोस्ट / ईमेल द्वारा
प्रति,
[देनदार / कंपनी का नाम]
[पता]
विषय: [बिल / ऋण / अनुबंध] के बकाया रु. [राशि] के भुगतान हेतु विधिक नोटिस
महोदय / महोदया,
मैं अपने मुवक्किल [नाम], निवासी / कार्यालय [पता] ("मेरे मुवक्किल") के निर्देश पर और उनकी ओर से आपको यह नोटिस देता / देती हूँ:
1. मेरे मुवक्किल ने [इनवॉइस क्रमांक ... दिनांक ... / अनुबंध दिनांक ... / दिनांक ... को दिए गए रु. ... के ऋण] के अनुसार आपको [माल की आपूर्ति की / सेवाएँ दीं / ऋण दिया], और आपने [नियत तारीख] तक भुगतान करना स्वीकार किया था।
2. माल / सेवा प्राप्त होने [तथा [तारीखों] को बार-बार याद दिलाए जाने] के बावजूद आपने भुगतान नहीं किया। रु. [राशि] बकाया है, जो इस प्रकार है: मूलधन रु. [राशि] [तथा [तारीख] से [तारीख] तक [दर]% वार्षिक ब्याज रु. [राशि]]। [आपने इस मद में [तारीख] को केवल रु. [राशि] का भुगतान किया है।]
3. आपका भुगतान न करना अनुचित है और इससे मेरे मुवक्किल को हानि और असुविधा हुई है।
4. अतः मेरे मुवक्किल आपसे माँग करते हैं कि आप रु. [राशि] [तथा इस नोटिस की तारीख से भुगतान की तारीख तक [दर]% वार्षिक ब्याज सहित] इस नोटिस की प्राप्ति से 15 (पंद्रह) दिनों के भीतर मेरे मुवक्किल को अदा करें।
5. यदि आप ऐसा नहीं करते, तो मेरे मुवक्किल राशि की ब्याज एवं खर्च सहित वसूली के लिए आपके विरुद्ध उचित दीवानी और / या आपराधिक कार्यवाही करने को बाध्य होंगे, जिसके खर्च और परिणामों के लिए आप स्वयं उत्तरदायी होंगे।
6. इस नोटिस की एक प्रति मेरे कार्यालय में रखी गई है।
भवदीय,
[हस्ताक्षर]
[अधिवक्ता का नाम]
अधिवक्ता, [मुवक्किल का नाम] की ओर से
नामांकन क्रमांक: [संख्या]Common mistakes
- Not attaching or naming the documents (invoice numbers, agreement date) that prove the debt.
- Claiming interest without saying the rate and the period, or claiming a rate the agreement does not support.
- Sending the notice to the wrong address or in the wrong name of the company.
- Threatening criminal action where the matter is only a civil debt. Say what proceedings you may take without overstating them.
- Waiting so long that the claim comes close to the limitation period.
Frequently asked questions
Is a legal notice compulsory before filing a money recovery suit?
For most private money claims the law does not require one, but it is standard practice and helps show you tried to settle. A notice is required before suing the government, and some commercial disputes must first go through pre-institution mediation.
How many days should a recovery notice give?
Fifteen days is common, sometimes 7 or 30 depending on the case. Whatever you choose, write it clearly.
Can I claim interest in the notice?
Yes, if there is an agreement on interest, or you are claiming it under the applicable law. State the rate and the period, and how the amount is worked out.
Draft this with your own facts
BarristerX drafts notices, replies and petitions in English and Hindi from the details you enter, and keeps your court diary, clients, payments and follow-ups in one place.
This is general information and a sample format, not legal advice. Facts, amounts, dates and the applicable law differ from case to case. Adapt the text to your facts, and have an advocate review it before it is sent.