Section 138 — Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881

Cheque Dishonour Legal Notice

Don't let a bounced cheque go unanswered. Send a legally-compliant demand notice under Section 138 NI Act — AI-drafted, advocate-reviewed, and dispatched within 48 hours.

Time-Critical: 30-Day Window

You must send the notice within 30 days of receiving the bank's return memo. Missing this deadline forfeits your right to file a criminal complaint.

What Is It

The First Step in Cheque Recovery

A legal demand notice sent to the cheque drawer under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. This is a mandatory prerequisite before filing a criminal complaint for cheque dishonour.

Mandatory step before filing criminal complaint
Must be sent within 30 days of bank return memo
Gives the drawer 15 days to make payment
Serves as legal evidence in court proceedings
Can lead to imprisonment up to 2 years and/or fine

Who Needs This Service?

Individuals

Received a bounced cheque from someone who owes you money

MSMEs & Businesses

Supplier or client cheque bounced — need to recover payment

Landlords

Tenant's rent cheque has been dishonoured by the bank

Vendors & Freelancers

Client payment cheque returned unpaid

Process

6 Simple Steps to Send Your Notice

Our streamlined process ensures your cheque dishonour notice is drafted, reviewed, and dispatched quickly.

1

AI Intake Form

Fill in cheque details, drawer info, and upload bank return memo

2

Document Upload

Upload cheque copy, return memo, and supporting documents

3

Draft Preview

Review the AI-generated notice draft before processing

4

Secure Payment

Pay ₹1,200 via UPI

5

Advocate Review

Verified advocate reviews and validates the notice

6

Print & Dispatch

Notice printed and dispatched via RPAD within 48 hours

Transparent Pricing

Starting at ₹1,200

Platform fee only. Advocate review included. No hidden charges.

₹1,200/notice

Complete cheque dishonour notice service

AI-drafted legal notice
Advocate review & validation
Print-ready formatted document
Dispatch via RPAD/Speed Post
Tracking number provided
Digital copy for your records

48-Hour Dispatch

Notice dispatched within 48 hours of payment

Advocate Reviewed

Every notice reviewed by a verified advocate

Legally Compliant

Fully compliant with Section 138 NI Act requirements

Proof of Delivery

RPAD acknowledgement serves as legal proof

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about cheque dishonour notices under Section 138 NI Act.

When a cheque issued to you bounces (gets dishonoured) due to insufficient funds or other reasons, Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 gives you the right to send a legal notice (demand notice) to the drawer within 30 days of receiving the 'return memo' from the bank. This is a mandatory step before filing a criminal complaint.

Under Section 138 NI Act, you MUST send the notice within 30 days of receiving the bank's return memo. If you miss this window, you lose your right to file a criminal complaint. After sending the notice, the drawer has 15 days to make the payment. If they fail to pay, you can file a complaint within 30 days after the 15-day period expires.

You'll need: (1) Cheque details — number, date, amount, bank name; (2) Bank return memo/slip showing the reason for dishonour; (3) Your details as the payee; (4) The drawer's name and address; (5) The nature of the debt/liability for which the cheque was issued.

Yes, every cheque dishonour notice drafted on our platform is reviewed by a verified advocate to ensure legal compliance and accuracy. The advocate verifies the notice format, legal references, and factual accuracy before dispatch.

The notice is dispatched via Registered Post with Acknowledgement Due (RPAD) or Speed Post as per your preference. RPAD is recommended as the acknowledgement serves as proof that the notice was delivered, which is important for court proceedings.

After sending the notice, the drawer has 15 days to make the payment. If they pay within 15 days, the matter is resolved. If they fail to pay, you have the right to file a criminal complaint under Section 138 within 30 days of the expiry of the 15-day notice period. We can assist you with the next steps.

No, LegalDoc360 is a legal technology platform, not a law firm. We provide AI-assisted document drafting and technology facilitation services. All documents are reviewed by independent advocates who operate on our platform. We do not provide legal advice or represent clients in court.

Disclaimer: LegalDoc360 is a legal technology platform and not a law firm. We provide AI-assisted document drafting and technology facilitation services. All notices are reviewed by independent advocates operating on our platform. We do not provide legal advice, legal opinions, or court representation. Advocates operate independently in compliance with the Advocates Act 1961 and Bar Council of India rules. Results may vary based on individual circumstances.

Start Notice — ₹1,200