Debt collection

How do pre-litigation and judicial debt collection proceed?

Debt collection comprises three stages: pre-litigation, litigation and enforcement. Pre-litigation debt collection consists in the amicable recovery of receivables - we send the debtor a payment demand, conduct negotiations and, where possible, agree repayment terms without involving the court.

When the debtor does not respond, we move to judicial debt collection and refer the case to court in order to obtain an order for payment. An order for payment is a swift and formalised ruling which, once it becomes final, opens the last stage - bailiff enforcement, in which we represent the creditor all the way to recovering the money.

What is the e-court and electronic writ-of-payment proceedings (EPU)?

Electronic writ-of-payment proceedings (EPU) are a simplified procedure for pursuing monetary claims, conducted entirely online before the so-called e-court. The statement of claim is filed electronically, and the proceedings are faster and cheaper than a traditional trial, which makes them an ideal tool for undisputed receivables.

Under the EPU, the e-court issues an order for payment in writ-of-payment proceedings. We represent creditors in this mode throughout Poland, handling cases fully remotely from our offices in Gdańsk and Gdynia.

What does bailiff enforcement of receivables look like?

Enforcement by a court bailiff begins after obtaining an enforcement title, that is, an order for payment or a judgment furnished with an enforcement clause. The enforcement clause is a court confirmation that the ruling may be enforced by compulsion.

With an enforcement title, we file an enforcement application with the bailiff, who may seize, among other things, the debtor's remuneration, bank accounts, movable property and real estate. We supervise the course of enforcement in order to maximise the chance of actually recovering the funds.