Debt recovery

A loan evidenced by a promissory note is a fully-fledged contract (Articles 1046–1047 of the Civil Code). For the court, it is sufficient for the note to contain the parties’ details, the amount, evidence of the transfer of funds and the borrower’s signature. The problem usually lies not in the evidence, but in timing: people wait for years ‘so as not to spoil relations’, and only come forward when the deadline is about to expire or the debtor has nothing left.

The second thing creditors do not realise is that debt recovery is not limited to the principal amount of the loan. In addition to the principal, the law allows you to claim 3 per cent per annum plus inflation-related losses for the entire period of default (Article 625 of the Civil Code) — even if the IOU makes no mention of this. For large sums and several years of default, this significantly increases the amount claimed in the lawsuit.

We recover debts from both individuals and companies: from claims to actual funds in the account.

+38 095 554-54-24 — legal advice

What types of debts do we handle?

• loan agreements and IOUs between individuals;
• outstanding debts under contracts — rent, services, works contracts, supply;
• unfulfilled court judgements — where a case has been won but the money has not been received;
• debts of sole traders and companies;
• debtor protection — challenging inflated claims, reducing penalty clauses, personal bankruptcy;
• disputes with debt collectors and microfinance organisations — unlawful collection methods, unjustifiably charged interest.

What can be recovered in addition to the principal debt

1. Principal amount — as per a promissory note, contract or deed.
2. Interest on the use of funds — if provided for in the contract. If no such interest was agreed and the amount exceeds 100 non-taxable minimum incomes, interest is charged at the NBU’s discount rate (Article 1048 of the Civil Code).
3. Penalty interest — at the rate specified in the contract; if not specified — twice the NBU discount rate (Article 549(3) of the Civil Code).
4. 3 per cent per annum and inflation losses (Article 625 of the Civil Code) — for the entire period of default, regardless of the content of the receipt.
5. Court costs — court fees and legal aid costs are recoverable from the debtor if the case is won.

It is important to calculate all components correctly before filing a claim: it will be more difficult to increase the claim later, and no one will refund a million that has been underestimated.

Three ways to recover a debt

Claim

There is no mandatory pre-litigation procedure, but a claim with a full breakdown (debt + interest + penalty + 3% per annum + inflation adjustments) often proves effective: the debtor realises that the amount will only increase, and that they will be liable for the legal costs. Timeframe: 2–4 weeks.

Court order

The quickest method, which most people overlook. Conditions: the debt must be confirmed by a written document (receipt, contract); there must be no dispute as to the right; and the amount must not exceed 100 times the minimum subsistence level — in 2026, this amounts to 332,800 UAH (Article 161 of the Code of Civil Procedure).

• processing time — 5 days, without a hearing or summoning the parties;
• court fee — 0.1 times the minimum subsistence level (332.80 UAH) instead of 1 per cent of the amount;
• the order is immediately enforceable.

Fair limitation: the debtor has 15 days to file an application to set aside the order, and the court sets it aside almost automatically. Therefore, the order works where the debtor does not dispute the debt but is simply stalling for time. If the order is set aside, the fee paid is credited towards the court fee for the claim.

Court proceedings

Where there is a dispute or the amount exceeds the limit for summary proceedings. The claim is filed at the debtor’s place of registration. Duration of proceedings: minor cases (up to 332,800 UAH) — simplified proceedings; ordinary cases — 6–12 months at first instance.

Limitation period: why 2026 is critical

The general limitation period is 3 years (Article 257 of the Civil Code). However, from 2 April 2020 to 3 September 2025, the limitation period was suspended — initially due to the lockdown, then due to martial law. Law No. 4434-IX abolished this suspension, and the limitation period resumed on 4 September 2025.

What this means:

• debts arising between 2020 and 2025 are subject to the full three-year limitation period, which expires in September 2028;
• for older debts, the remaining period—up to the expiry date that had not yet passed by April 2020—is added to the remaining term; and in many cases, the limitation period will expire as early as 2026–2027;
• claims for late payment penalties have a shortened limitation period of one year (Article 258 of the Civil Code).

The limitation period applies only upon application by the debtor. But assuming that their lawyer will ‘forget’ about it is a poor strategy. If you have an old receipt lying around, it’s worth calculating the limitation period now.

Winning the case is only half the battle

A court judgment does not, in itself, bring in any money. Next comes enforcement proceedings, and this is where most victories ‘fall through the cracks’: the debtor formally ‘has nothing’.

What actually works:

• seizure of bank accounts and assets — and it is best to file an application for interim relief at the same time as the claim, before the debtor has had time to transfer assets to relatives;
• asset tracing — enquiries to banks, property and vehicle registers, and the Unified State Register;
• restricting the debtor’s ability to travel abroad — often the most effective lever;
• enforcement against the debtor’s share in the spouses’ joint property;
• challenging fictitious transactions — such as the ‘sale’ of a car to a brother a week before the court hearing;
• bankruptcy — if the debtor is a company or a sole trader.

We plan the enforcement process before filing a claim: we check the debtor’s assets and assess whether there is anything from which to recover the debt. If not — we’ll tell you straight away, before you pay the court fees.

When you don’t need a solicitor

If the debt is small, confirmed by a promissory note, the debtor does not dispute it and has a formal income — you can obtain a court order yourself for 332.80 UAH. We won’t try to persuade you to pay for our services where they aren’t needed.

You need a solicitor when:

• the debtor disputes the debt or claims they ‘signed the IOU under duress’;
• there is no IOU — only bank transfers, correspondence or witnesses;
• the debtor is transferring assets;
• the limitation period is about to expire or it is unclear when it begins;
• the amount is substantial, and a calculation error would be costly;
• there is a judgement, but enforcement proceedings are stalled.

Cost of services

Court fees (2026, minimum subsistence level 3,328 UAH):

• application for a court order — 332.80 UAH;
• property claim by a natural person — 1% of the claim value, from 1,331.20 to 16,640 UAH;
• filing via the ‘Electronic Court’ — 20% discount.

For large sums, a success fee model may be applied — payment upon actual recovery.

Full price list · Debt recovery based on a promissory note

Questions and answers

Can a debt be recovered without a promissory note?

Yes, provided there is other evidence: bank transfers with a payment reference, correspondence (including via messaging apps), audio recordings, witnesses, or partial repayments of the debt. However, a court order is not available in such cases — only a claim.

How much does it cost to take a debtor to court?

Application for a court order — 332.80 UAH. A claim — 1% of the claim value (from 1,331.20 to 16,640 UAH for an individual in 2026). If the claim is successful, the fee is recovered from the debtor.

Which is quicker — a court order or a claim?

A court order: 5 days, inexpensive, and immediately enforceable. However, it is only available for written contracts, up to 332,800 UAH, and the debtor can revoke it within 15 days. A claim takes longer, but the outcome is more secure.

If the debt has been partially repaid, does this affect the limitation period?

Yes, and in your favour. Partial repayment or a written acknowledgement of the debt interrupts the running of the limitation period: the clock starts ticking again.

What should you do if the debtor has transferred assets to relatives?

Such transactions are challenged as fictitious. An application for interim relief is filed alongside the claim — to seize assets and prohibit any registration actions. The sooner you take action, the better your chances.

Can the debtor be prevented from travelling abroad?

Yes, at the claimant’s request, the court may impose a temporary travel ban as part of enforcement proceedings. In practice, this is one of the most effective measures.

The debtor says they have no money. What should I do?

Check it out. The enforcement officer has access to registers of bank accounts, property and vehicles; we also make formal legal enquiries. ‘No money’ and ‘no assets’ are two different things.

What documents should I bring to the consultation?

A receipt or contract, evidence of funds transferred (bank statements, receipts), correspondence with the debtor, documents regarding partial repayments, and anything else you know about their assets.

Contacting a solicitor regarding debt recovery through the firm ‘Svarog’

Send us the receipt or contract — we’ll calculate the total amount of the claim, including interest, penalties, 3 per cent per annum and inflation adjustments, check the limitation period and select the appropriate procedure: a court order, a lawsuit or a claim. And we’ll tell you honestly whether there are any assets to recover from, even before you pay the court fee.

+38 095 554-54-24 · Kyiv, 7 Khoriva St, Office 2 (Podil) · Mon–Fri 9:00–18:00