<\/p>\n
What types of debts do we handle?<\/h2>\n\n- loan agreements and IOUs between individuals;<\/li>\n
- outstanding debts under contracts \u2014 rent, services, works contracts, supply;<\/li>\n
- unfulfilled court judgements \u2014 where a case has been won but the money has not been received;<\/li>\n
- debts of sole traders and companies;<\/li>\n
- debtor protection \u2014 challenging inflated claims, reducing penalty clauses, personal bankruptcy;<\/li>\n
- disputes with debt collectors and microfinance organisations \u2014 unlawful collection methods, unjustifiably charged interest.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
What can be recovered in addition to the principal debt<\/h2>\n\n- Principal amount \u2014 as per a promissory note, contract or deed.<\/li>\n
- Interest on the use of funds \u2014 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\u2019s discount rate (Article 1048 of the Civil Code).<\/li>\n
- Penalty interest \u2014 at the rate specified in the contract; if not specified \u2014 twice the NBU discount rate (Article 549(3) of the Civil Code).<\/li>\n
- 3 per cent per annum and inflation losses (Article 625 of the Civil Code) \u2014 for the entire period of default, regardless of the content of the receipt.<\/li>\n
- Court costs \u2014 court fees and legal aid costs are recoverable from the debtor if the case is won.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Three ways to recover a debt<\/h2>\nClaim<\/h3>\n
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\u20134 weeks.<\/p>\n
Court order<\/h3>\n
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 \u2014 in 2026, this amounts to 332,800 UAH (Article 161 of the Code of Civil Procedure).<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n- processing time \u2014 5 days, without a hearing or summoning the parties;<\/li>\n
- court fee \u2014 0.1 times the minimum subsistence level (332.80 UAH) instead of 1 per cent of the amount;<\/li>\n
- the order is immediately enforceable.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
![\"Debt](\"https:\/\/svaroglaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/styagnennya-borgu-infografika.svg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nCourt proceedings<\/h3>\n
Where there is a dispute or the amount exceeds the limit for summary proceedings. The claim is filed at the debtor\u2019s place of registration. Duration of proceedings: minor cases (up to 332,800 UAH) \u2014 simplified proceedings; ordinary cases \u2014 6\u201312 months at first instance.<\/p>\n
Limitation period: why 2026 is critical<\/h2>\n
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 \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
What this means:<\/p>\n
\n- debts arising between 2020 and 2025 are subject to the full three-year limitation period, which expires in September 2028;<\/li>\n
- for older debts, the remaining period\u2014up to the expiry date that had not yet passed by April 2020\u2014is added to the remaining term; and in many cases, the limitation period will expire as early as 2026\u20132027;<\/li>\n
- claims for late payment penalties have a shortened limitation period of one year (Article 258 of the Civil Code).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
The limitation period applies only upon application by the debtor. But assuming that their lawyer will \u2018forget\u2019 about it is a poor strategy. If you have an old receipt lying around, it\u2019s worth calculating the limitation period now.<\/p>\n
Winning the case is only half the battle<\/h2>\n
A court judgment does not, in itself, bring in any money. Next comes enforcement proceedings, and this is where most victories \u2018fall through the cracks\u2019: the debtor formally \u2018has nothing\u2019.<\/p>\n
What actually works:<\/p>\n
\n- seizure of bank accounts and assets \u2014 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;<\/li>\n
- asset tracing \u2014 enquiries to banks, property and vehicle registers, and the Unified State Register;<\/li>\n
- restricting the debtor\u2019s ability to travel abroad \u2014 often the most effective lever;<\/li>\n
- enforcement against the debtor\u2019s share in the spouses\u2019 joint property;<\/li>\n
- challenging fictitious transactions \u2014 such as the \u2018sale\u2019 of a car to a brother a week before the court hearing;<\/li>\n
- bankruptcy \u2014 if the debtor is a company or a sole trader.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
We plan the enforcement process before filing a claim: we check the debtor\u2019s assets and assess whether there is anything from which to recover the debt. If not \u2014 we\u2019ll tell you straight away, before you pay the court fees.<\/p>\n
When you don\u2019t need a solicitor<\/h2>\n
If the debt is small, confirmed by a promissory note, the debtor does not dispute it and has a formal income \u2014 you can obtain a court order yourself for 332.80 UAH. We won\u2019t try to persuade you to pay for our services where they aren\u2019t needed.<\/p>\n
You need a solicitor when:<\/p>\n
\n- the debtor disputes the debt or claims they \u2018signed the IOU under duress\u2019;<\/li>\n
- there is no IOU \u2014 only bank transfers, correspondence or witnesses;<\/li>\n
- the debtor is transferring assets;<\/li>\n
- the limitation period is about to expire or it is unclear when it begins;<\/li>\n
- the amount is substantial, and a calculation error would be costly;<\/li>\n
- there is a judgement, but enforcement proceedings are stalled.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Cost of services<\/h2>\n
What can be recovered in addition to the principal debt<\/h2>\n\n- Principal amount \u2014 as per a promissory note, contract or deed.<\/li>\n
- Interest on the use of funds \u2014 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\u2019s discount rate (Article 1048 of the Civil Code).<\/li>\n
- Penalty interest \u2014 at the rate specified in the contract; if not specified \u2014 twice the NBU discount rate (Article 549(3) of the Civil Code).<\/li>\n
- 3 per cent per annum and inflation losses (Article 625 of the Civil Code) \u2014 for the entire period of default, regardless of the content of the receipt.<\/li>\n
- Court costs \u2014 court fees and legal aid costs are recoverable from the debtor if the case is won.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Three ways to recover a debt<\/h2>\nClaim<\/h3>\n
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\u20134 weeks.<\/p>\n
Court order<\/h3>\n
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 \u2014 in 2026, this amounts to 332,800 UAH (Article 161 of the Code of Civil Procedure).<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n- processing time \u2014 5 days, without a hearing or summoning the parties;<\/li>\n
- court fee \u2014 0.1 times the minimum subsistence level (332.80 UAH) instead of 1 per cent of the amount;<\/li>\n
- the order is immediately enforceable.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nCourt proceedings<\/h3>\n
Where there is a dispute or the amount exceeds the limit for summary proceedings. The claim is filed at the debtor\u2019s place of registration. Duration of proceedings: minor cases (up to 332,800 UAH) \u2014 simplified proceedings; ordinary cases \u2014 6\u201312 months at first instance.<\/p>\n
Limitation period: why 2026 is critical<\/h2>\n
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 \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
What this means:<\/p>\n
\n- debts arising between 2020 and 2025 are subject to the full three-year limitation period, which expires in September 2028;<\/li>\n
- for older debts, the remaining period\u2014up to the expiry date that had not yet passed by April 2020\u2014is added to the remaining term; and in many cases, the limitation period will expire as early as 2026\u20132027;<\/li>\n
- claims for late payment penalties have a shortened limitation period of one year (Article 258 of the Civil Code).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
The limitation period applies only upon application by the debtor. But assuming that their lawyer will \u2018forget\u2019 about it is a poor strategy. If you have an old receipt lying around, it\u2019s worth calculating the limitation period now.<\/p>\n
Winning the case is only half the battle<\/h2>\n
A court judgment does not, in itself, bring in any money. Next comes enforcement proceedings, and this is where most victories \u2018fall through the cracks\u2019: the debtor formally \u2018has nothing\u2019.<\/p>\n
What actually works:<\/p>\n
\n- seizure of bank accounts and assets \u2014 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;<\/li>\n
- asset tracing \u2014 enquiries to banks, property and vehicle registers, and the Unified State Register;<\/li>\n
- restricting the debtor\u2019s ability to travel abroad \u2014 often the most effective lever;<\/li>\n
- enforcement against the debtor\u2019s share in the spouses\u2019 joint property;<\/li>\n
- challenging fictitious transactions \u2014 such as the \u2018sale\u2019 of a car to a brother a week before the court hearing;<\/li>\n
- bankruptcy \u2014 if the debtor is a company or a sole trader.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
We plan the enforcement process before filing a claim: we check the debtor\u2019s assets and assess whether there is anything from which to recover the debt. If not \u2014 we\u2019ll tell you straight away, before you pay the court fees.<\/p>\n
When you don\u2019t need a solicitor<\/h2>\n
If the debt is small, confirmed by a promissory note, the debtor does not dispute it and has a formal income \u2014 you can obtain a court order yourself for 332.80 UAH. We won\u2019t try to persuade you to pay for our services where they aren\u2019t needed.<\/p>\n
You need a solicitor when:<\/p>\n
\n- the debtor disputes the debt or claims they \u2018signed the IOU under duress\u2019;<\/li>\n
- there is no IOU \u2014 only bank transfers, correspondence or witnesses;<\/li>\n
- the debtor is transferring assets;<\/li>\n
- the limitation period is about to expire or it is unclear when it begins;<\/li>\n
- the amount is substantial, and a calculation error would be costly;<\/li>\n
- there is a judgement, but enforcement proceedings are stalled.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Cost of services<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Three ways to recover a debt<\/h2>\nClaim<\/h3>\n
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\u20134 weeks.<\/p>\n
Court order<\/h3>\n
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 \u2014 in 2026, this amounts to 332,800 UAH (Article 161 of the Code of Civil Procedure).<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
- \n
- processing time \u2014 5 days, without a hearing or summoning the parties;<\/li>\n
- court fee \u2014 0.1 times the minimum subsistence level (332.80 UAH) instead of 1 per cent of the amount;<\/li>\n
- the order is immediately enforceable.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nCourt proceedings<\/h3>\n
Where there is a dispute or the amount exceeds the limit for summary proceedings. The claim is filed at the debtor\u2019s place of registration. Duration of proceedings: minor cases (up to 332,800 UAH) \u2014 simplified proceedings; ordinary cases \u2014 6\u201312 months at first instance.<\/p>\n
Limitation period: why 2026 is critical<\/h2>\n
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 \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
What this means:<\/p>\n
- \n
- debts arising between 2020 and 2025 are subject to the full three-year limitation period, which expires in September 2028;<\/li>\n
- for older debts, the remaining period\u2014up to the expiry date that had not yet passed by April 2020\u2014is added to the remaining term; and in many cases, the limitation period will expire as early as 2026\u20132027;<\/li>\n
- claims for late payment penalties have a shortened limitation period of one year (Article 258 of the Civil Code).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
The limitation period applies only upon application by the debtor. But assuming that their lawyer will \u2018forget\u2019 about it is a poor strategy. If you have an old receipt lying around, it\u2019s worth calculating the limitation period now.<\/p>\n
Winning the case is only half the battle<\/h2>\n
A court judgment does not, in itself, bring in any money. Next comes enforcement proceedings, and this is where most victories \u2018fall through the cracks\u2019: the debtor formally \u2018has nothing\u2019.<\/p>\n
What actually works:<\/p>\n
- \n
- seizure of bank accounts and assets \u2014 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;<\/li>\n
- asset tracing \u2014 enquiries to banks, property and vehicle registers, and the Unified State Register;<\/li>\n
- restricting the debtor\u2019s ability to travel abroad \u2014 often the most effective lever;<\/li>\n
- enforcement against the debtor\u2019s share in the spouses\u2019 joint property;<\/li>\n
- challenging fictitious transactions \u2014 such as the \u2018sale\u2019 of a car to a brother a week before the court hearing;<\/li>\n
- bankruptcy \u2014 if the debtor is a company or a sole trader.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
We plan the enforcement process before filing a claim: we check the debtor\u2019s assets and assess whether there is anything from which to recover the debt. If not \u2014 we\u2019ll tell you straight away, before you pay the court fees.<\/p>\n
When you don\u2019t need a solicitor<\/h2>\n
If the debt is small, confirmed by a promissory note, the debtor does not dispute it and has a formal income \u2014 you can obtain a court order yourself for 332.80 UAH. We won\u2019t try to persuade you to pay for our services where they aren\u2019t needed.<\/p>\n
You need a solicitor when:<\/p>\n
- \n
- the debtor disputes the debt or claims they \u2018signed the IOU under duress\u2019;<\/li>\n
- there is no IOU \u2014 only bank transfers, correspondence or witnesses;<\/li>\n
- the debtor is transferring assets;<\/li>\n
- the limitation period is about to expire or it is unclear when it begins;<\/li>\n
- the amount is substantial, and a calculation error would be costly;<\/li>\n
- there is a judgement, but enforcement proceedings are stalled.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Cost of services<\/h2>\n