Insolvency · Lithuania
Insolvency lawyers in Lithuania for debt, restructuring and creditor disputes
Lithuania’s financial disputes are decided inside a statute-based civil-law system, so the wording of the applicable legislation matters more than anything else. Tell us what happened in a few lines and we match you, free of charge, with an advocate who regularly handles matters of this kind.
- Advocates enrolled with the Lithuanian Bar Association
- Free, no-obligation matching in your own language
- First response usually within 24–48 hours
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Before you instruct anyone
What an insolvency matter in Lithuania actually involves
When a company, a business partner or an individual debtor in Lithuania stops paying, the real question is not only who owes what, but which statutory route gives you the best chance of recovery — and how much time is left to use it. Insolvency lawyers in Lithuania work within a continental civil-law system built on the Civil Code and the Code of Civil Procedure, where statutes rather than precedent govern and the uniform case law of the Supreme Court guides their interpretation. Whether you are a creditor, a director, an employee or a spouse affected by a business failure, the right adviser will set out the available procedures, the evidence required and a realistic timeline. Our free matching service introduces you to an advocate enrolled with the Lithuanian Bar Association who handles files like yours.
Lithuania in practice
How insolvency-related work is handled in Lithuania
Insolvency work in Lithuania is conducted inside a statute-based civil-law system, so the applicable rules come from legislation — principally the Civil Code and the Code of Civil Procedure — rather than from earlier court decisions. The dates below are the general limitation periods that most often decide whether a claim can still be pursued.
Statutes first, case law second
Lithuania follows the continental civil-law model. Its legal order rests on the 1992 Constitution, the Civil Code (in force since 1 July 2001) and the Code of Civil Procedure, and statutes — not judicial precedent — are the primary source of law. The uniform case law of the Supreme Court of Lithuania nevertheless guides how those statutes are read in practice, which matters when a creditor dispute is contested.
The courts that hear financial disputes
Civil and commercial cases begin in the twelve district courts, which hear the majority of first-instance matters; above them sit five regional courts, the Court of Appeal of Lithuania and the Supreme Court of Lithuania, the sole court of cassation. Administrative disputes, such as challenges to decisions of public authorities, go to a separate system of two regional administrative courts and the Supreme Administrative Court.
Who is entitled to act for you
The title of advocate (advokatas) is reserved to lawyers entered on the register kept by the Lithuanian Bar Association, a self-governing public-law body. A candidate must be a Lithuanian or EU citizen, hold a Master’s degree in law, be of impeccable reputation, command Lithuanian, pass the qualification examination and take the advocate’s oath. EU-qualified lawyers may provide services in Lithuania under the Law on the Bar.
When an advocate is compulsory
Before the district courts, natural persons in civil proceedings may generally act in person, and legal persons act through their statutory organs or an authorised representative. Representation by an advocate becomes compulsory for cassation appeals to the Supreme Court of Lithuania. In criminal matters a defendant has the right to defence counsel, and counsel’s participation is mandatory in certain situations, for example where the accused cannot defend themselves.
Fees, stamp duty and who pays
The main court fee is the stamp duty (žyminis mokestis), paid before a claim or appeal is lodged: a percentage of the sum claimed in pecuniary cases, a fixed sum in non-pecuniary ones. Filing exclusively by electronic means reduces it to 75% (minimum EUR 5), as does a prior mediation attempt. Advocates’ fees are freely agreed between advocate and client; the losing party normally bears the successful party’s litigation costs.
Employee claims when an employer struggles
Individual labour disputes must first go before a Labour Dispute Commission, which sits under the territorial divisions of the State Labour Inspectorate; only then can they reach the courts. Since 1 July 2017 the commissions also decide dismissal, removal from work and non-pecuniary damage claims. A dispute must be resolved within one month of the application, extendable by one further month in individual cases.
All country information on this page is drawn from official Lithuanian and European Union sources — the Lithuanian courts portal, the Lithuanian Bar Association, the State Tax Inspectorate, the State Labour Inspectorate and the e-Justice portal — consulted in 2025.
- Civil Code of the Republic of Lithuania (Law No VIII-1864, consolidated, English)
- Labour Code of the Republic of Lithuania (Law No XII-2603, consolidated)
- Law on the Bar of the Republic of Lithuania (Law No IX-2066)
- Law on Administrative Proceedings of the Republic of Lithuania (Law No VIII-1029)
- Lithuanian Courts — Judicial system (teismai.lt)
- Supreme Court of Lithuania — Lithuanian Court System
The problems we hear about
Why these files feel stuck before they even start
Most people who contact us already know something is wrong. What they lack is a clear view of the Lithuanian procedure that fits their situation.
A debtor who simply stops replying
Invoices go unpaid, emails are ignored and the company still trades. You are unsure whether the money is recoverable at all, and whether the general ten-year period for contractual claims still leaves you room to act.
Several creditors chasing the same assets
Suppliers, employees and banks may all be looking at the same limited pool of value. Without a coordinated strategy, the earliest filings often shape what is left for everyone else.
No idea which route to take first
Insolvency, enforcement, a civil claim or a negotiated settlement are different journeys with different costs and timelines. Choosing wrongly at the start is the most expensive mistake of all.
How matching works
What you get when you send us your case
We do not give legal advice. We identify advocates whose practice matches your file and put you in direct contact.
Specialist matching, not a directory
We read your summary and route it only to advocates whose practice covers creditor, restructuring or debt-related work in Lithuania.
Verified professional standing
Every advocate we introduce is entered on the register kept by the Lithuanian Bar Association, which regulates admission, discipline and professional conduct.
Clarity on cost from the outset
Advocates’ fees in Lithuania are freely agreed, so you can ask for the basis of the fee — hourly, fixed or staged — before you commit to anything.
One enquiry, several perspectives
You describe the situation once, then compare approaches, availability and budget without repeating the whole story to each office.
Cross-border matters
Debtors and assets outside Lithuania
If the counterparty, the assets or the parent company sit in another European jurisdiction, we can also look for counsel there so that the Lithuanian and foreign strands of the matter are handled together.
Questions clients ask
Insolvency and debt questions about Lithuania
Do I always need insolvency lawyers in Lithuania to pursue a debtor?
No. In civil proceedings before the district courts, natural persons may generally act in person, and legal persons act through their statutory organs or an authorised representative. Representation by an advocate is compulsory only for cassation appeals to the Supreme Court of Lithuania. Where several creditors compete or assets are dispersed, specialist advice usually saves more than it costs.
How is the Lithuanian court system organised for financial cases?
Civil matters start in the twelve district courts, which hear the majority of first-instance cases. Above them are five regional courts, the Court of Appeal of Lithuania and the Supreme Court of Lithuania, the sole court of cassation, whose uniform case law guides interpretation. Administrative disputes go to two regional administrative courts and the Supreme Administrative Court.
Who is allowed to practise as an advocate in Lithuania?
The title is reserved to persons on the register of advocates kept by the Lithuanian Bar Association, a self-governing public-law body. A candidate must be a Lithuanian or EU citizen, hold a Master’s degree in law, be of impeccable reputation, command Lithuanian, pass the qualification examination and take the advocate’s oath.
How long do I have to recover an unpaid debt in Lithuania?
The general limitation period for contractual debt claims is ten years, while interest and other periodic payments are subject to a five-year period. Employment dismissal claims must be brought within one month and other labour claims within three years. Deadlines can be interrupted or expire, so the position should be checked promptly.
Can I get financial help with legal costs in Lithuania?
Lithuania runs a two-tier state-guaranteed legal aid system. Primary legal aid — information, consultation and help with simple documents — is free for everyone through the municipalities. Secondary legal aid, including representation in court and coverage of litigation costs, is available through the State-Guaranteed Legal Aid Service to applicants whose income and property fall below the statutory levels, with the state covering 100% or 50%.
Must an employee claim against a struggling employer go straight to court?
No. Individual labour disputes must first be brought before a Labour Dispute Commission, which operates under the territorial divisions of the State Labour Inspectorate. Since 1 July 2017 the commissions also decide dismissal, removal from work and non-pecuniary damage disputes. The commission must resolve a case within one month of receiving the application, extendable by one further month in individual cases.
Next step
Tell us about your Lithuanian matter
Send a short summary — who owes what, what has already been done and any deadlines you are aware of. We will match you free of charge with an advocate who handles insolvency, debt recovery and restructuring work in Lithuania, and you decide whether to instruct them.