If you feel the debtor is playing for time — you're usually right.
01
The debtor doesn't respond, but doesn't say outright they won't pay.
02
Every contact ends with another promise and a postponed deadline.
03
At some point you stop knowing whether you're still negotiating or already wasting time.
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When the case reaches court, it often turns out the assets have already been secured elsewhere.
That's why effective debt collection is a process — not a single demand.
Debt collection process
How debt recovery works step by step.
A clear action plan — from analysis to bailiff enforcement. At every stage you know what we do, how much it costs and what the alternatives are.
01
Case analysis
Documents, chances, risks, costs, action options. A clear recommendation before you make a decision.
02
Amicable collection
Payment demands, direct contact, negotiations and settlements. In many cases, this stage ends with debt recovery — without court.
03
Lawsuit and payment order
Lawsuit, claim security, payment order or judgment. Full legal representation.
04
Bailiff enforcement
Bailiff, asset identification, seizure of accounts and assets. Control until the case is closed.
Scope of collection services
Debt collection — from demand to enforcement.
In most cases, debt recovery occurs at the pre-court stage — court proceedings are a last resort, not the first step.
Amicable collection
Amicable collection is the first and most often the most effective stage of debt recovery. It involves pursuing payment without engaging the court — through payment demands, direct debtor contact, negotiation of repayment terms and reaching settlements.
In our practice, a significant portion of cases are resolved at this very stage. A well-prepared payment demand, backed by analysis of the debtor's legal and financial situation, is more effective than formal threats. The debtor receives a clear message: the case is being handled professionally and lack of response means escalation.
Amicable collection is the most cost-effective option — for both creditor and debtor. It generates no court fees, doesn't irreversibly burden business relationships and allows flexibility in setting repayment terms: installments, deadlines, partial write-offs. For many B2B companies, this is the optimal scenario.
When amicable collection fails, the next step is securing the receivable. The bailiff accesses the debtor's account quickly — usually within 1–2 months of filing a security application. Such swift proceedings significantly increase the effectiveness of the entire process by blocking the ability to hide or transfer assets.
The next step is court proceedings. The most commonly used form is a payment claim in order for payment proceedings — the court issues a payment order in a closed session, without summoning the parties. This is a fast and relatively inexpensive solution: the court fee is only 1/4 of the standard filing fee. The payment order obliges the debtor to pay within 14 days or file an objection. If the debtor doesn't respond, the order becomes final and constitutes an enforcement title — the basis for initiating bailiff enforcement.
We provide full legal representation — from preparing the lawsuit, through security proceedings, to obtaining a final judgment. In most cases, the client's presence in court is not required.
Bailiff enforcement — recovering debts from debtor's assets
Bailiff enforcement is the final stage of debt recovery — it comes into play when the debtor, despite a final court ruling, does not pay voluntarily. At this stage, the court bailiff has tools to identify and seize the debtor's assets: bank accounts, wages, real estate, movables, receivables from third parties.
Enforcement is most effective when the debtor has assets — in such cases, proceedings are swift. But even when the debtor seemingly has no assets or tries to hide them, experience and proper tools often allow reaching the assets. The bailiff sends inquiries to banks, Social Insurance Institution, tax offices, vehicle registers and other databases.
Some debtors use foreign financial or para-financial institutions, counting on impunity. Nothing could be further from the truth — we conduct cross-border enforcement throughout Europe. The European Order for Payment, recognition of judgments under EU regulations and cooperation with foreign enforcement authorities allow effective debt recovery regardless of where the debtor has placed their assets.
Our goal is to manage receivables in such a way as to never allow claims to become time-barred. We effectively prevent statute of limitations expiry — the key is consistent action and long-term monitoring of the debtor's financial situation.
Debt collection, court proceedings, bailiff enforcement. When monitoring isn't enough — we take over the case and see it through.
kancelariawierzytelnosci.legal
Clear plan
Action and cost plan established before starting. No hidden fees, no surprises.
Reporting
Progress, what's done, what's next. Regular reports, full process transparency.
Risk minimization
Formal control at every stage. We reduce the risk of errors that could delay the case.
For debtors
Have a debt? It can be resolved.
We understand the situation can be stressful. Our goal is not to escalate the conflict — we seek a solution that allows closing the case on terms acceptable to both parties.
Most cases end in agreement. The sooner you reach out, the more options we have: installment plans, settlements, individual repayment schedules. The conversation is confidential and non-binding.
Debt collection is an organized process of pursuing payment from a debtor. It starts with document analysis and assessment of recovery chances. Then we take amicable actions — payment demands, phone contact, negotiation of repayment terms. If the debtor doesn't respond, we take the case to court, applying for a payment order or filing a lawsuit. After obtaining an enforcement title, we proceed to bailiff enforcement. At every stage we inform about costs, risks and alternatives — the decision to escalate always belongs to the client.
Duration depends on the type of proceedings and the debtor's attitude. Amicable collection typically takes 2–6 weeks. Order for payment proceedings — from several weeks to several months, depending on the court. Standard proceedings can take from several months to over a year. Bailiff enforcement — from several weeks if the debtor has visible assets, to many months when asset searches are necessary. At the first meeting, we present a realistic timeline for the specific case.
There is no single limitation period for all claims — it depends on the source of the claim.
Transport service claims expire after just one year from the service date. B2B sales claims typically expire after two years from the invoice due date, effective at the end of the calendar year — e.g. invoices due in April 2024 will expire at the end of 2026.
For claims with a payment order issued, the period is 6 years.
Importantly, referring the case to a bailiff interrupts the limitation period — in practice, we effectively prevent claims from becoming time-barred.
A payment order is a simplified form of court ruling, issued in a closed session — without a hearing. To obtain one, you need to file a lawsuit with documents confirming the claim: invoice, contract, proof of payment demand delivery. The court examines documents and if the claim is documented, issues the order within a few weeks. The debtor has 14 days to pay or file an objection. If they don't respond, the order becomes final and constitutes an enforcement title — the basis for initiating bailiff enforcement.
Bailiff enforcement is effective when the debtor has assets — in such cases, proceedings are swift. Even if the debtor currently has no assets or hides them, patience and proper process often yield results. The bailiff has tools to identify assets: inquiries to banks, Social Insurance Institution, tax offices, vehicle registers. Our goal is to manage receivables so as to prevent time-barring. In many cases, a sensible step is to obtain a payment order and then take consistent long-term action — without unnecessary costs or hasty decisions.
Costs depend on the stage and type of case. Amicable collection is the cheapest — mainly the cost of demands and negotiations. Court proceedings involve a court fee (5% of the amount in dispute, but only 1/4 in order for payment proceedings) and legal representation costs. Bailiff enforcement costs are borne by the debtor. We present a full calculation before starting — you know exactly what each step entails before making a decision.
Yes. In many cases, we negotiate installment settlements that allow the debtor to repay in a manageable way, and the creditor to recover funds without court costs. An installment settlement can be reached at any stage — before filing a lawsuit, during court proceedings, or during enforcement. The key is proper settlement security, so that if payments stop, enforcement can be quickly resumed.
In most cases, we provide full legal representation and your presence in court is not required. Payment orders are issued in closed session — without parties present. In standard proceedings, a legal representative represents the client at hearings. We inform about exceptional situations, where a party's presence may be advisable, with adequate notice.
Contact
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