Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Europe
Turn a Court Judgment into Real Money Actually Paid
Winning a case is only half the battle — a judgment the debtor ignores is just a piece of paper until it is enforced. We match you, free of charge, with an enforcement specialist in the relevant country who can locate the debtor’s assets and turn your judgment into payment.
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- Lawyers across the EU & EEA
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Who this is for
Winning a case is only half the battle — collecting on the judgment is the other half
Enforcement of judgments is the legal process of compelling a debtor to comply with a court decision or arbitral award when they will not do so voluntarily. A judgment that orders payment, possession or the doing of an act is only valuable if it can actually be enforced — and too many creditors discover, after winning, that the debtor has no intention of paying. Enforcement involves locating assets, and then using the legal tools available in the relevant country to attach them: freezing and seizing bank accounts, garnishing wages, charging property, or seizing and selling assets. The rules, procedures and time limits vary from one European country to the next, and within the EU there are specific mechanisms for enforcing judgments obtained in another member state. We match you, free of charge, with an enforcement specialist who can turn your judgment into payment.
Why judgments go uncollected
Judgments rarely fail to be granted.
They fail to be collected when the debtor refuses to pay.
Without enforcement action, a judgment is just a piece of paper — and some debtors know exactly how to keep it that way.
A debtor who simply will not pay
You won the case, but the judgment debtor ignores the judgment as easily as they ignored the original debt. Without enforcement action, a judgment is just a piece of paper — and some debtors know exactly how to keep it that way.
You cannot find the debtor’s assets
A debtor who hides assets, moves money or holds property through others makes collection difficult. Identifying what there is to enforce against — and where — is often the first and hardest step.
Enforcing across a border
When the debtor or their assets are in another country, your judgment must be recognised and enforced there, which involves a separate set of rules, forms and deadlines that differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
What you get
A judgment enforcement specialist who actually works your case
We only match you with lawyers who handle enforcement of judgments and awards regularly in the relevant country.
Assets located and assessed
Your lawyer investigates what the debtor owns and where, so enforcement is targeted at real, recoverable assets rather than wasted on nothing. This determines whether enforcement is worth pursuing and which tool to use first.
The right enforcement tool applied
Whether it is freezing and seizing bank accounts, garnishing income, charging property or another measure, your lawyer selects and executes the enforcement method best suited to the debtor’s circumstances and your country’s rules.
Cross-border enforcement handled
Where the debtor or their assets are in another EU or EEA country, your lawyer manages the recognition and enforcement of your judgment there, navigating the specific procedures that apply.
Persistent, lawful pressure
Enforcement can require patience and a sequence of steps over time. Your lawyer keeps the pressure on the debtor within the bounds of the law until the judgment is satisfied, escalating where necessary.
Coverage
Judgment enforcement lawyers across Europe
Enforcement procedures and asset-recovery tools are set nationally, so the right lawyer practises where the debtor or their assets are located. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Enforcement of judgments — common questions
What is enforcement of a judgment?
The legal process of compelling a party to comply with a court judgment or arbitral award when they will not do so voluntarily. It typically involves locating assets and using legal measures such as seizing bank accounts, garnishing wages or charging property to recover what is owed.
I won my case — why do I need to enforce the judgment?
A judgment does not automatically produce payment. If the debtor refuses to comply, you must take enforcement action to convert the judgment into actual money. Many debtors only pay once enforcement is initiated or threatened.
How do I find out what assets the debtor has?
Your lawyer can use the legal investigation tools available in the relevant country to identify bank accounts, income, property and other assets. This step is often essential to decide which enforcement method to use and whether it is economically worthwhile.
Can I enforce a judgment obtained in another country?
Within the EU, judgments from one member state are generally recognised and enforceable in another under common rules, though the procedure varies. Outside the EU, recognition depends on treaties or local law and may be more complex.
How long do I have to enforce a judgment?
Time limits for enforcement vary by country and can be shorter than you expect. Some judgments can only be enforced for a limited period unless renewed. It is important to act promptly and seek advice on the deadlines that apply to your case.
What if the debtor has no money?
If the debtor genuinely has no recoverable assets, enforcement may not be worthwhile, and further costs would be wasted. Your lawyer can assess the debtor’s financial position honestly and advise whether enforcement has realistic prospects before you spend more.
Free case review
Collect what the court has already awarded you
Tell us about the judgment you hold and the debtor’s circumstances, and we’ll match you, free of charge, with an enforcement specialist in the relevant country.