Legal Notice in Bangladesh: How to Write One, What It Costs, and How to Reply
A legal notice puts your demand on record before you go to court. Done well, it often settles the matter; done badly, it can hurt your own case.
- A lawyer's notice is a formal demand: facts, legal basis, what you want and by when.
- Some notices are required by law, such as the cheque notice within 30 days of dishonour.
- There is no court fee; the cost is the lawyer's fee and postage.
- If you receive one, reply carefully and in time; never ignore it.
In this guide: What a legal notice should contain · How to send it, and what it costs · When a notice is required by law · If you receive a legal notice
The short answer
A legal notice (often called an ukil notice) is a written demand sent by you or your lawyer before taking legal action. For most disputes it is not compulsory, but it shows the court you gave the other side a fair chance, and it often ends the matter without a case.
In some cases the law requires a notice. The best known is the cheque case: under section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act you must send a written demand within 30 days of learning the cheque bounced. A worker’s grievance under section 33 of the Labour Act has its own 30-day rule.
What a legal notice should contain
- Names and addresses of the sender and the recipient.
- The facts in date order, with the agreement, cheque or transaction referred to.
- The legal basis in one or two lines.
- The exact demand: the amount, or the act you want done.
- A deadline, for example 15 or 30 days, or the statutory period.
- What you will do if the demand is ignored.
- Signature of the lawyer or the sender, and the date.
Attach copies, never originals. Keep the tone factual: threats or insults can be used against you.
How to send it, and what it costs
| Item | What to do |
|---|---|
| Delivery | Registered post with acknowledgement due (AD) to every known address; add courier and email where useful. |
| Proof | Keep the postal receipt, the AD card or returned envelope, and the courier tracking. |
| Government fee | None. There is no court fee or stamp duty on a legal notice. |
| Main cost | The lawyer’s drafting fee, plus postage. |
When a notice is required by law
- Cheque dishonour: written demand within 30 days of the bank’s dishonour information; the drawer then has 30 days to pay.
- Labour disputes: a worker’s written grievance to the employer within 30 days of the cause.
- Tenancy: a notice to quit before eviction, under the tenancy and rent rules.
- Contract terms: many contracts require written notice of breach before termination or arbitration.
If you receive a legal notice
Read the deadline first. Do not ignore it and do not reply in anger. A good reply denies what is wrong, sets out your side briefly, and keeps your options open. In a cheque notice, paying within 30 days avoids the case. In other matters, silence can later be presented as accepting the facts.
Gather the papers
Agreement, cheque, receipts, messages and every address of the other side.
Draft the demand
Facts, legal basis, exact demand and a clear deadline.
Send with proof
Registered post with AD, plus courier or email; keep every receipt.
Diary the deadline
If there is no answer, the next step is a case, mediation or a cheque complaint.
Common questions
How much does it cost to send a legal notice?
There is no court fee or stamp duty. You pay the lawyer's drafting fee and the postage for registered post with AD, and courier if used.
Is a legal notice compulsory before filing a case?
Not for most disputes, but it helps. It is compulsory in some cases, such as a cheque dishonour case, where the written demand must go within 30 days of the dishonour information.
How do I write a legal notice?
State the parties, the facts in date order, the legal basis, the exact demand and a deadline, and say what you will do if it is ignored. Sign and date it and send copies, not originals.
What happens if I do not reply to a legal notice?
Nothing automatic, but silence can later be read as accepting the facts, and in a cheque case non-payment within 30 days allows a case to be filed.
Does a legal notice have to come from a lawyer?
No, you can send it yourself. A lawyer's notice carries more weight and avoids mistakes that could hurt a later case.
How should a legal notice be sent?
By registered post with acknowledgement due to every known address, with courier or email as backup. Keep the receipts as proof.
Can a legal notice be sent by email or WhatsApp?
It can be sent that way as well, but keep registered post as the main proof, especially where the law requires a notice.
What is the time limit in a legal notice?
You choose a reasonable deadline, often 15 or 30 days, unless the law fixes one, as in cheque cases.
More in Courts, Cases & Money Claims
Cheque dishonour, legal notices and mediation before a case.
Cheque Dishonour Case (Section 138) Bangladesh 2026
How to Recover Money Owed in Bangladesh
Check Case Status and Cause List Online in Bangladesh
Writ Petition in the High Court of Bangladesh: Cost and Process
Artha Rin Case in Bangladesh: A Guide for Borrowers and Guarantors
Arbitration and the Salishnama in Bangladesh
Free Legal Aid in Bangladesh: Who Qualifies and How to Apply
Civil Suit in Bangladesh: Process, Court Fee and Time
Legal Notice Structure for Money & Cheque Demands
Mandatory Pre-Case Mediation in Bangladesh 2026
Need a notice drafted or answered?
Send us the papers. We draft or reply within the deadline. A written assessment costs nothing.
Comments
No comments yet. Ask a question or share your view below.