Sending Legal Notices and Demand Letters by Post in the UK

• Many disputes formally begin with a posted letter — often a "letter before action" (also called a letter before claim).
• Posting a physical letter, and keeping proof of when you sent it, creates a clear paper trail.
• PostPal posts legal letters and notices via Royal Mail for a flat £4 and emails you a confirmation of posting.
• This article is general information, not legal advice — check the current rules or speak to a solicitor for your situation.

Email is convenient, but for formal and legal matters a posted letter still carries weight. It shows you took the matter seriously, it follows the conventions courts expect, and — crucially — it can be evidenced. If a dispute escalates, being able to show that you wrote to someone, and when, can matter a great deal.

Here are the common types of legal letter people send, and how to post them without a printer or a trip to the Post Office.

Before taking someone to court over money owed — an unpaid invoice, a debt, a deposit — you're generally expected to send a letter before action (a letter before claim) first. Under the courts' pre-action protocols, this is usually a required step and shows you gave the other side a fair chance to resolve things.

A good letter before action typically:

• States clearly what is owed or in dispute and why
• Sets out what you want the other party to do
• Gives a reasonable deadline to respond (often 14 days)
• Explains that you may start a court claim if they don't

Keeping proof that you posted it is important if you later make a claim through the small claims process.

Notices between landlords and tenants — for example, notices seeking possession, or a tenant's notice to leave — often need to be given in a specific form and served correctly, and the exact requirements change over time as the law is reformed.

Because getting the form, timing, and method of service wrong can invalidate a notice, always check the current rules on GOV.UK or take advice before serving one. When you're ready to send it on paper, PostPal can print and post it for you, and your confirmation of posting records the date it went out.

For any legal letter, the date you sent it can become important. PostPal emails a confirmation of posting for every letter, giving you a timestamped record. For more, see how to keep proof you sent an important letter.

1. Write your letter online or upload a prepared PDF.
2. Attach any evidence or supporting documents (up to 5 files).
3. Enter the recipient's address, including post town and postcode.
4. Pay £4 and we print and post it via Royal Mail the next business day.

Disclaimer: This article is general information and not legal advice. Requirements differ by situation and can change — check GOV.UK or consult a solicitor. Send your letter now.