Unpaid invoices from Czech or Slovak companies: How to proceed with enforcement, how to sue.
Recovering unpaid invoices from Czech or Slovak companies requires a strategic understanding of local fast-track procedures, court fees, and the 2025 VAT rules. This article provides a professional guide on how to proceed with enforcement, navigate the court systems in Prague or Bratislava, and secure an enforceable title effectively. We analyze pre-action requirements, payment orders, and the critical role of the ARROWS law firm in accelerating cross-border debt recovery while minimizing litigation risks and ensuring total legal security for your business.

Quick summary for managers
- Prioritize Fast-Track Orders: Utilize the Czech Platební rozkaz or Slovak Upomínacie konanie to obtain an enforceable judgment without lengthy hearings or excessive court fees.
- Mandatory Pre-Action Steps: In the Czech Republic, a formal 7-day notice (předžalobní výzva) is legally required to ensure the debtor pays your legal costs upon victory.
- Watch the Clock: Commercial claims generally expire after 3 years in the Czech Republic and 4 years in Slovakia; immediate legal analysis is required to prevent the debt from becoming time-barred.
- New VAT Leverage: Since January 2025, Czech debtors must return VAT deductions on invoices unpaid for 6 months, creating a significant new financial pressure to settle debts.
The Amicable Phase: Strategic Extrajudicial Debt Collection
When a business partner in the Czech Republic or Slovakia fails to settle an invoice, the first response determines the trajectory of the recovery. A professional, out-of-court approach is often the most strategic move, as it preserves potentially valuable commercial relationships and avoids immediate court costs. This phase is not a sign of weakness but a calculated business decision aimed at rapid liquidity.
Experienced legal specialists at ARROWS law firm find that up to 95% of commercial debt cases can be resolved successfully without entering a courtroom. Find details in our How Portuguese businesses can recover debts in Czechia: Comprehensive legal guide section for a practical overview of this process. The goal is to apply consistent, professional pressure that moves your invoice to the top of the debtor's payment list. Learn more in our article on How Finnish Companies Can Collect Debts in the Czech Republic: Tools and Procedures. This involves a structured sequence of communications that signal your readiness for escalation.
However, real-life cases involve exceptions and dependencies, such as complex counter-claims or disputes over the quality of delivered goods. It is safer to entrust these negotiations to professionals who can distinguish between a genuine cash flow issue and a tactical delay. ARROWS law firm manages this process routinely to prevent debtors from using the negotiation phase to dissipate their assets.
The Psychology of Debt Management in Central Europe
In the B2B environment, debtors frequently prioritize creditors who demonstrate the highest level of legal readiness. A simple internal email reminder from your accounting department is easily sidelined, whereas a formal letter from ARROWS law firm changes the dynamic immediately. The letter indicates that the transition to judicial action is already in motion. In this area, ARROWS provides Commercial Litigation & Arbitration in the Czech Republic expertise to ensure your interests are protected in court.
Professional debt collection involves "intensive collection," where the debtor is contacted through multiple channels consistently. This ensures that your claim remains a priority for the debtor's management. It is often the persistence and the official letterhead of a leading law firm that triggers the decision to pay.
Our lawyers understand the local business culture and can navigate the subtle differences between Czech and Slovak corporate behavior. We focus on identifying the key decision-makers within the debtor's organization to achieve a quick settlement. You might be interested to know that ARROWS offers comprehensive Tax Law services to handle any fiscal implications of such settlements. This targeted approach reduces the time spent on unproductive administrative back-and-forth.
Formalizing Installment Plans and Settlements
If a debtor claims they cannot pay the full amount immediately, they may propose an installment plan. While this can be a viable solution, accepting a verbal promise is a high-risk strategy that often leads to further defaults. A verbal agreement provides no additional legal security and can restart the collection timeline from scratch.
Instead, ARROWS law firm provides contract drafting services to prepare a binding settlement agreement or an acknowledgment of debt with an enforcement clause. This document turns a disputed or overdue invoice into a clear legal title. If the debtor misses a single payment, you can move directly to enforcement without a new trial.
Securing a written acknowledgment of debt (uznání dluhu) is a primary tactical goal during the amicable phase. In the Czech Republic, a properly drafted acknowledgment can extend the limitation period to 10 years. This provides long-term protection for your claim and significantly weakens any future defense the debtor might attempt.
The Mandatory Czech Pre-Action Notice (§ 142a)
In the Czech Republic, the law imposes a strict procedural requirement that, if ignored, can result in a significant financial loss for the creditor. Under Section 142a of the Code of Civil Procedure, a creditor is required to send a specific pre-action letter known as a předžalobní výzva. This letter must be sent at least seven days before filing a claim in court.
This notice is a mandatory prerequisite for the recovery of your legal costs should you succeed in court. If you win the case but failed to send this specific letter, the court will likely deny your claim for reimbursement of attorney fees and court fees. This could turn a legal victory into a financial loss of several thousand euros.
Technical Requirements for a Valid Notice
To be legally compliant, the předžalobní výzva must contain several essential elements derived from judicial practice. It must clearly identify the creditor and debtor, state the precise amount of the debt, and specify the legal basis of the claim. Simply referencing "unpaid invoices" without details is often insufficient for court scrutiny.
The letter must also provide a clear deadline for payment and explicitly warn the debtor that failure to pay will result in the initiation of court proceedings. Furthermore, it should state that the debtor will be responsible for the costs of these proceedings. This explicit warning is what satisfies the court's requirement for a fair warning before litigation.
Delivery is another critical factor; the notice must be sent to the debtor's official registered address or their last known address. While the law only requires proof of sending—such as a registered mail receipt—it is best practice to use methods that ensure verifiable delivery. ARROWS law firm ensures that every notice sent is fully documented to meet court standards.
Strategic Implications of the 7-Day Rule
The 7-day period is a minimum requirement, but it also serves as a final window for the debtor to avoid the public record of a lawsuit. Many debtors who have ignored previous reminders will settle during this week once they realize the "judicial scrutiny gap" is closing. It is their last chance to avoid the 4% or 5% court fee being added to their debt.
Lawyers at ARROWS law firm handle this agenda routinely and can shorten timelines by ensuring the notice is drafted and sent the same day the case is taken over. We avoid the common mistakes of foreign creditors who use standard international demand letters that do not satisfy the specific Czech statutory language.
Using a standard foreign Mahnung or generic demand letter is a common pitfall. If the letter fails to mention the specific legal consequences under § 142a, it may be deemed invalid for cost-recovery purposes. Our team ensures that your documentation is built on a solid foundation from the very first step.
Q&A: The Pre-Action Phase
- Is a simple email enough to satisfy the § 142a requirement? No, a simple email is generally insufficient for the court to award legal costs. You must send a formal letter with specific content to the debtor's official or last known address via a trackable method like registered mail or a data box.
- What if I already sent several reminders myself? The law specifically requires a "pre-action" notice that warns of the upcoming court filing. Previous reminders of a general nature do not count toward the § 142a requirement, so a final formal notice is still necessary before the lawsuit.
- Can ARROWS law firm help even if the debt is relatively small? Yes, we provide honest advice on whether pursuing a smaller debt is financially viable. Streamlined procedures like the electronic payment order are designed to handle claims of all sizes efficiently.
Fast-Track Judicial Procedures in the Czech Republic
If the debtor fails to respond to the pre-action notice, the next step is judicial action. The Czech system is highly efficient for uncontested monetary claims, utilizing a "fast-track" procedure called the Payment Order (platební rozkaz). This allows a creditor to obtain an enforceable judgment without a formal hearing. The court issues the platební rozkaz based solely on the documentary evidence submitted by the creditor. This means that the quality of your contracts, invoices, and delivery notes is paramount. If the judge is satisfied with the evidence, the order is issued and served on the debtor, who then has 15 days to act.
The Electronic Payment Order (EPR)
A more cost-effective and modern version of this procedure is the Electronic Payment Order (elektronický platební rozkaz). This procedure has a lower court fee—typically 4% of the claimed amount for claims over CZK 20,000, compared to the 5% fee for a standard lawsuit. This is the default choice for most B2B invoice collection.
The EPR must be submitted on a specific electronic form and requires a qualified electronic signature. This process is designed for speed; a correctly filed EPR can result in a court order within a few weeks to a few months. This is significantly faster than the 1-3 years often required for ordinary litigation.
It is important to note that the EPR is only available for claims where the debtor's location is known and where service can be made within the Czech Republic. If the debtor has disappeared or moved abroad, the court may convert the case into a standard lawsuit. ARROWS law firm utilizes advanced skip-tracing and registry checks to avoid these procedural delays.
The Power of the Final Judgment
If the debtor does not file a formal objection (odpor) within the 15-day window, the payment order becomes final. At this point, it has the same legal force as a standard court judgment. It becomes an exekuční titul (enforcement title), allowing you to immediately hire an exekutor to seize assets.
However, real-life is more complex, and a simple "odpor" can change the entire strategy. An objection does not even need to be justified; if the debtor files it on time, the payment order is automatically canceled. The case is then transferred to a standard trial where witnesses may be called and oral arguments presented.
Lawyers at ARROWS law firm handle this transition routinely. We prepare every fast-track application with the assumption that it might lead to a full trial, ensuring that the evidence provided is robust enough to withstand a contested hearing. This proactive preparation reduces the risk of mistakes during the later stages of litigation.
Comparison of Czech Judicial Paths
| Factor | 'Platební rozkaz' (Fast-Track) | Standard Civil Litigation |
| Procedure |
Written-only, based on documents. |
Full oral proceedings and hearings. |
| Timeline |
Weeks or a few months. |
Often several years. |
| Court Fee |
4% of the claim (electronic). |
5% of the claim (standard). |
| Debtor Reaction |
15 days to pay or file odpor. |
Can use extensive delay tactics. |
| Enforcement |
Immediate once final. |
Requires a final enforceable verdict. |
The Slovak Dunning Procedure: Upomínacie konanie
The Slovak Republic has developed one of the most advanced electronic systems for debt recovery in the European Union. Known as Upomínacie konanie (Dunning Procedure), it is a centralized, digital-only process designed for the efficient recovery of monetary claims. This system has been in operation since 2017 to assist creditors in recovering debts faster.
A unique feature of the Slovak system is that all electronic dunning procedures are handled by a single specialized court: the District Court in Banská Bystrica. This centralization ensures a high level of expertise and consistency in issuing payment orders. It eliminates the regional variations and delays often found in local district courts.
Financial Advantages of Electronic Filing
One of the primary benefits of using the Slovak dunning procedure is the significant reduction in court fees. While a standard lawsuit or traditional payment order in Slovakia incurs a court fee of 6% of the principal amount, the electronic procedure offers a 50% discount. Creditors only pay a fee of 3% of the claim.
The law also establishes a minimum court fee of EUR 16.50. This makes the procedure highly accessible for small and medium-sized enterprises dealing with high volumes of smaller unpaid invoices. The lower entry cost reduces the financial risk of pursuing a debtor who may ultimately be insolvent.
If the court conditions are met, a payment order is typically issued within 10 business days of the application. This speed is crucial for maintaining business liquidity. ARROWS law firm has the specialized electronic infrastructure required to file these claims through the Slovak government portals without delay.
Technical and Procedural Requirements
To use the Upomínacie konanie, the application must be submitted using a qualified electronic signature (QES) that is compatible with Slovak government systems. Filing via paper or standard email is not permitted for this specific fast-track path. Failure to meet these technical standards will lead to an automatic rejection of the claim.
The application must include detailed identification of both parties, the IBAN for payment, and the specific facts supporting the claim. For cases involving consumer contracts, additional documentation like the original contract and proof of a final warning sent within the last three months may be required.
Similar to the Czech system, the debtor has 15 days from delivery to pay or file an objection. A key difference in Slovakia is that the objection must be "materially justified". The debtor cannot simply object to delay the case; they must provide a legal or factual reason why the debt is not owed.
Moving to Enforcement in Slovakia
Once a Slovak payment order becomes final, it serves as an enforcement title. If the debtor still fails to pay, the creditor must file an enforcement proposal (exekúcia). This proposal is also delivered to the District Court in Banská Bystrica, which then allocates the case to a randomly chosen enforcement officer.
Random allocation of cases to exekutors is a mechanism designed to prevent corruption and ensure impartiality in the enforcement process. The uniform fee for initiating this enforcement is EUR 16.50, regardless of the debt amount. This predictable cost structure allows managers to plan their recovery budget accurately.
ARROWS law firm routinely handles Slovak enforcement proceedings and can provide a seamless transition from the dunning phase to the actual seizure of assets. Our presence in both countries allows us to manage cross-border enforcement for clients who have debtors in both jurisdictions simultaneously.
Strategic Barriers: The Statute of Limitations
The most common reason for losing a valid debt collection case is not a lack of evidence, but the expiration of the statute of limitations (promlčení). Once a debt is time-barred, the debtor can raise a limitation defense, and the court will be legally required to dismiss the claim, even if the debtor admits they owe the money.
In the Czech Republic, the general limitation period for commercial debts is 3 years. In Slovakia, the rules depend on the nature of the relationship. Civil relationships generally follow a 3-year period, while relationships between two entrepreneurs governed by the Commercial Code have a 4-year limitation period.
Subjective vs. Objective Limitation Periods
Legal systems in both countries distinguish between subjective and objective limitation periods. The subjective period (usually 3 years) begins when the creditor "knew or should have known" that they have a right to the claim. For an unpaid invoice, this is typically the day after the due date.
The objective limitation period is longer (often 10 years) and runs from the date the event actually occurred, regardless of the creditor's knowledge. However, the subjective period is almost always the one that expires first. ARROWS law firm performs a mandatory legal analysis of every claim to ensure it is still collectible before initiating any action.
Real-life is more complex because the clock can be "interrupted" or "restarted" by certain events. For example, filing a lawsuit stops the clock. Similarly, a partial payment or a written request for a payment plan can, in specific circumstances, be interpreted as an acknowledgment that resets the limitation period.
Using Debt Acknowledgments Strategically
A written acknowledgment of debt (uznání dluhu) is one of the most powerful tools in a creditor's arsenal. If a debtor signs a document admitting the reason and amount of the debt, a new limitation period begins. In the Czech Republic, this new period is 10 years.
Obtaining such an acknowledgment during the amicable phase can save a claim that is nearing its 3-year expiration. It also shifts the burden of proof; the debtor can no longer easily dispute the existence of the debt in court. Our lawyers prioritize securing these acknowledgments as part of our initial negotiation strategy.
Managers should be aware that waiting until the final month of the limitation period is extremely risky. Court filing systems can experience technical delays, and documents may need correction. Lawyers at ARROWS law firm can shorten timelines and reduce the risk of mistakes by initiating the process well before the statutory deadlines approach.
Q&A: Timelines and Limitations
- When does the 3-year clock actually start for an invoice? The subjective limitation period typically starts on the day after the invoice became due. However, recent Czech Supreme Court rulings suggest that if the invoice was issued late, the clock might start from when the creditor could have first asked for payment.
- Can I still sue if the 3 years have already passed? Yes, you can still file a lawsuit. The court does not check the statute of limitations automatically. However, if the debtor or their lawyer raises the "limitation defense," the court will dismiss the case. It is a gamble that usually requires professional assessment.
- Does a simple reminder letter stop the limitation clock? No, a standard reminder or pre-action notice does not stop the statute of limitations. Only a formal court filing or a specific written acknowledgment from the debtor can pause or reset the clock.
The Enforcement (Exekuce) Phase: Seizing Assets
Obtaining a court judgment is a major victory, but it does not automatically put money in your bank account. If the debtor still refuses to pay after the judgment becomes final and enforceable, you must move to the enforcement phase, known as exekuce. This is where the legal title is turned into cash.
In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, enforcement is carried out by a soudní exekutor (court-appointed bailiff). Unlike court staff, exekutors are private professionals motivated to recover the debt quickly because their remuneration is largely based on the amount successfully collected.
Powers of the Court Exekutor
An exekutor has extensive powers to seize nearly any asset belonging to the debtor. They do not need a new court hearing to act; they work based on the enforcement title you provide. Their tools are diverse and powerful, designed to bypass the debtor's attempts to hide funds.
The exekutor can freeze the debtor's bank accounts immediately. They can also order deductions from the debtor's wages or other income. If these liquid assets are insufficient, they can seize and sell movable property (vehicles, machinery, inventory) and place liens on real estate for public auction.
For corporate debtors, the exekutor can even seize the entire business enterprise or its company shares. This level of pressure often forces the owners of a company to settle the debt personally to avoid losing their entire operation. ARROWS law firm manages the selection of and communication with the exekutor to ensure the process remains aggressive and efficient.
Fees and Costs of Enforcement
The costs of the exekutor are generally added to the debtor's total bill. In the Czech Republic, the exekutor's remuneration is typically 15% of the recovered amount for claims up to CZK 3 million, with decreasing percentages for larger sums. There is a minimum remuneration of CZK 2,000.
If the creditor is represented by a lawyer during enforcement, the debtor is also required to cover these legal costs. This means that for a successful recovery, the entire legal process—from the pre-action notice to the final seizure of assets—can be virtually cost-neutral for the creditor.
However, real-life is more complex, particularly if the debtor is truly without assets. If the enforcement is unsuccessful because the debtor has no property, the creditor may be required to cover a small portion of the exekutor's expenses. ARROWS law firm provides asset-checking services before enforcement to minimize the risk of throwing good money after bad.
Risk Table: Sanctions and Solutions
Successful debt collection requires identifying potential pitfalls before they arise. Below is a summary of the most common risks and how ARROWS law firm mitigates them.
| Risks and sanctions | How ARROWS helps (office@arws.cz) |
|
Procedural cost loss: Failing to send a compliant § 142a notice results in the court denying your right to have the debtor pay your legal fees. |
Compliant drafting: We ensure every "předžalobní výzva" meets all Czech standards to secure full cost recovery. |
|
Statute of limitations: Allowing 3 years to pass without a court filing makes the claim legally unenforceable. |
Registry monitoring: We perform a legal analysis on day one and prioritize filings to prevent time-barring. |
|
Asset dissipation: The debtor selling property or emptying bank accounts during the trial. |
Interim injunctions: We can freeze assets via court-ordered preliminary measures before the trial even begins. |
|
Insolvency risk: The debtor filing for bankruptcy to avoid paying creditors. |
Claim registration: We monitor the insolvency register and handle the strict registration deadlines to protect your priority. |
|
Service of process: The debtor avoiding court mail or moving their headquarters to delay the case. |
Registry tracking: We verify addresses and use "data boxes" to ensure legal service is valid even if the debtor is uncooperative. |
The Impact of New 2025 VAT Rules on Debtors
Starting January 1, 2025, a major amendment to the Czech VAT Act has significantly shifted the balance of power in favor of creditors. This new rule targets debtors who claim VAT deductions on purchase invoices but fail to pay their suppliers.
Under the new § 74b of the VAT Act, if a buyer fails to pay a received invoice within six months of its due date, they are legally required to return the previously deducted VAT to the state. This applies to all taxable supplies completed from the start of 2025. The impact is immediate and creates a strong incentive for timely payment.
A New Lever for Negotiation
This rule effectively makes the state a "partner" in your debt collection. A debtor who ignores your reminders now faces the risk of a tax audit and penalties for failing to adjust their VAT deduction. For many companies, the administrative burden and the risk of being flagged by the tax authorities is more concerning than a simple civil lawsuit.
The obligation to track these unpaid invoices and correct the VAT return falls entirely on the debtor. If they later pay the invoice, they can reclaim the VAT deduction, but only at the time of payment. This creates a temporary cash flow loss that most businesses want to avoid.
ARROWS law firm incorporates this tax-related leverage into our demand letters. Reminding a debtor that they must return their VAT deduction in the next tax period often triggers an immediate settlement or a request for a payment plan. It is a powerful modern tool that complements traditional legal enforcement.
Reverse Charge and Exceptions
It is important to note that this VAT adjustment rule does not apply to transactions under the reverse charge mechanism. It specifically targets supplies where the supplier charged VAT on the invoice and the buyer claimed it as input VAT.
Furthermore, if a debtor has contractually or legally offset a claim they have against the supplier, the requirement to return the VAT is reduced by the offset amount. These details highlight why it is safer to entrust your debt recovery strategy to professionals who understand the intersection of tax law and civil litigation.
Cross-Border Matters and ARROWS International
If your company is based outside the Czech Republic or Slovakia, you may face additional challenges such as language barriers, different legal systems, and the need for specialized document legalization. ARROWS law firm is specifically designed to handle these international complexities.
We handle cross-border matters via the ARROWS International network, a result-driven group of law firms across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. This allow us to provide a "one-stop-shop" service where a single point of contact in Prague manages the recovery of debts across multiple jurisdictions.
The European Payment Order (EOP)
For undisputed monetary claims between parties in different EU member states (excluding Denmark), we can utilize the European Payment Order. This standardized process allows us to obtain a judgment that is automatically recognized and enforceable in the Czech Republic or Slovakia without needing a separate declaration of enforceability.
The EOP is particularly attractive for its speed and simplicity. However, like domestic procedures, it is vulnerable to a "statement of opposition" from the debtor, which would move the case into ordinary local proceedings. Our lawyers provide a strategic opinion on whether the EOP or a domestic Czech/Slovak payment order is the fastest route for your specific case.
Domestication of Foreign Judgments
If you already have a judgment from a court in Germany, Italy, or another EU member state, ARROWS law firm can manage the entire process of domesticating that judgment for enforcement by a Czech or Slovak exekutor. Under the Brussels I bis Regulation, this process is now highly streamlined, but still requires local legal expertise to initiate correctly.
Our international team also protects you from risks such as the unintended application of the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG), which can fundamentally change your rights regarding interest and damages. We ensure your international contracts are built on a solid foundation for cross-border enforcement.
Insolvency and Bankruptcy Risks
When a debtor enters financial distress, active debt collection must be combined with a careful monitoring of the insolvency register. In both countries, once a company is officially in insolvency, all individual enforcement actions (exekuce) are suspended.
Creditors have a very limited window—often only 30 to 60 days from the publication of the insolvency notice—to register their claims with the insolvency administrator. Missing this deadline can result in the complete loss of your right to any proceeds from the liquidation of the debtor's assets.
Maximizing Recovery in Bankruptcy
ARROWS law firm routinely represents investors and creditors in some of the largest bankruptcy proceedings in the history of the Czech Republic. We coordinate with other creditors and negotiate with insolvency administrators to maximize the satisfaction of our clients' claims.
If the debtor is "empty," we investigate whether the controlling person or the board of directors can be held liable for the company's debts. If they failed to file for insolvency in a timely manner or influenced the company's activities to the detriment of creditors, they may be forced to pay from their personal assets.
We also use "clawback" claims (odpůrčí žaloba) to challenge transactions the debtor made before bankruptcy to hide assets from creditors. An administrator or creditor can cancel legal actions taken by the debtor up to several years before the bankruptcy if they were clearly intended to harm creditors.
Why ARROWS law firm is the Right Partner
Managing unpaid invoices is not just about filing papers; it is about protecting your business from financial loss and procedural risk. ARROWS law firm provides a level of security and expertise that is essential for complex B2B enforcement. Lawyers at ARROWS law firm handle this agenda routinely and can shorten timelines by using the most efficient electronic tools and negotiation strategies. Our team of over 30 specialists in Prague and 120 across the country provides the manpower and experience required for any size of claim.
Safety and Professional Indemnity
When you work with ARROWS law firm, you are backed by one of the most comprehensive insurance policies in the market. ARROWS law firm is insured up to CZK 400,000,000. This is significantly higher than standard requirements and ensures that our clients are protected against even the most extreme legal contingencies.
Our expertise covers the entire lifecycle of a commercial debt, including:
- Representation in disputes: Defending your claims through all levels of the court system, including appeals to the Supreme Court.
- Review of contracts and internal policies: Auditing your B2B terms to ensure they are optimized for fast enforcement in case of default.
- Insolvency proceedings: Strategic representation in complex bankruptcy cases to protect your position in the creditor hierarchy.
- Negotiations with regulators: Handling matters involving the tax office or central banks regarding large-scale debt structures.
We utilize modern technology to keep our clients informed and to ensure that all filings are made within hours, not days. This technological edge, combined with our human, professional approach, makes ARROWS law firm the leading choice for businesses in Central Europe.
Conclusion: Securing Your Cash Flow
Unpaid invoices are more than just an accounting problem; they are a legal risk that requires a proactive and professional solution. As we have demonstrated, the Czech and Slovak systems offer powerful fast-track tools, but these tools are only effective if utilized within the correct procedural and statutory windows.
Real-life is more complex than a simple "pay or sue" scenario. It involves navigating 2025 VAT adjustments, avoiding statute of limitations traps, and managing the aggressive tactics of court exekutors. Attempting to handle these matters without specialized legal support often lead to avoidable mistakes and the forfeiture of legal costs.
By partnering with ARROWS law firm, you gain access to a team that routinely handles cross-border enforcement and is backed by significant insurance and the ARROWS International network. We don't just provide legal opinions; we provide results that protect your liquidity and your business's future.
FAQ – Most common legal questions about Unpaid invoices from Czech or Slovak companies: How to proceed with enforcement, how to sue.
- What is the "judicial scrutiny gap" in the Czech Republic? It refers to the requirement that a Czech judge must be personally convinced from the documentary evidence that a claim is justified before issuing a fast-track payment order. Unlike some systems where orders are issued automatically, Czech judges perform a substantive review, making the quality of your initial evidence package crucial.
- How long does it take for a Slovak exekutor to start seizing money? The enforcement procedure begins with a notice requesting the debtor to pay within 14 days. If they do not pay or contest the procedure, the exekutor can begin freezing bank accounts and seizing assets immediately after this window.
- Can I recover interest on late payments? Yes, you are legally entitled to statutory interest on late payments. For commercial debts, this is typically set at the CNB repo rate plus 8 percentage points. In 2025, this can provide significant additional compensation for the delay in payment.
- Is it possible to secure the debtor's assets before the trial ends? Yes, through a "preliminary injunction" (předběžné opatření). You must prove that there is a real risk that the debtor will hide or dissipate their assets before a final judgment is reached.
- What if the debtor company is closed or in liquidation? If the company is in liquidation, you must register your claim with the liquidator. If it is insolvent, you must register it with the insolvency court. ARROWS law firm monitors these registries to ensure your rights are not lost during the winding-up process.
- Do I need a lawyer to file a payment order? While it is technically possible to act without one, it carries a great risk of procedural mistakes that can lead to the dismissal of the claim or the loss of legal cost reimbursement. Professional representation ensures the process is handled efficiently from day one.
Notice: The information contained in this article is of a general informational nature only and serves for basic orientation in the topic. Although we take maximum care to ensure the accuracy of the content, legal regulations and their interpretation evolve over time. To verify the current wording of regulations and their application to your specific situation, it is therefore necessary to contact ARROWS law firm directly (office@arws.cz). We accept no liability for any damages or complications arising from the independent use of the information in this article without our prior individual legal consultation and professional assessment. Each case requires a tailor-made solution, so please do not hesitate to contact us.