How to Legally Recover Claims in Romania: Efficient Solutions for Individuals and Companies

The debt recovery procedure in Romania represents an essential legal mechanism for protecting creditors’ rights and ensuring compliance with contractual obligations. By efficiently using the instruments provided by national legislation, creditors can achieve rapid results in matters of debt recovery and debt collection. Among the most frequently used procedures, the payment order, stands out, offering a simplified and swift way to enforce a civil liability or contractual liability obligation and to protect the creditor’s rights. A lawyer specialized in debt recovery plays a key role in analyzing documentation, drafting claims, and representing creditors before the court.

Alternatives such as enforcement proceedings, insolvency, or actions under common law also provide solutions in cases where claims are contested. In parallel, companies must adopt proactive policies of debt collection, ensuring effective contractual liability management through clear contracts, firm notices, and measures to prevent late payments.

The importance of written evidence, is decisive for the success of an action for damages or for efficient debt recovery procedure steps in debt collection against companies. Without such evidence, proceedings become more burdensome and increase legal risks. Therefore, a complete strategy for managing receivables must include both legal measures and internal administrative processes, supported by professional legal advice.

In this context, the Romanian Law Firm Pavel, Mărgărit & Associates provides specialized legal services for the enforcement of debt claims, such as debt recovery, action for damages, revocatory action, payment order, formal payment summons, garnishment, recovery of funds, compensation claims, and amicable settlement, in contractual liability and civil liability. The firm also offers legal consultancy in insolvency procedures, ensuring full representation before judicial enforcement officers and competent courts, in accordance with the provisions of the New Civil Procedure Code.

What types of debts can be legally recovered in Romania

In Romanian law, a civil liability obligation represents the creditor’s right to request the debtor to fulfill a payment or provide a service. In the field of debt recovery, both commercial debts arising from contracts between companies and civil debts, resulting from legal relationships between individuals or between individuals and companies, can be pursued. The essential condition is that these claims must be certain, liquid, and due. A lawyer specialized in debt recovery has the role of evaluating these criteria and proposing the appropriate debt recovery procedure.

Certain claims are those not contested by the debtor, while liquidity derives from the exact determination of the amount owed. Exigibility, on the other hand, occurs when the payment term has expired and the debtor has failed to perform. In such situations, the creditor may initiate debt collection proceedings either in court or through alternative methods. Choosing the right path can make the difference between swift debt recovery and a lengthy process.

Moreover, in the current business environment, companies increasingly face situations involving debt recovery procedure against legal entities. This requires clear legal mechanisms such as the payment order, as well as additional instruments like enforcement proceedings or insolvency petitions. In some cases, the creditor may also file an action for damages to cover losses caused by the delay, strengthening creditor protection and the effectiveness of debt collection.

The payment order procedure: When and how it can be used

The payment order is a special procedure designed for creditors seeking rapid debt recovery with lower costs and simplified procedural requirements. It applies to situations of certain, liquid, and due claims, especially obligations to pay arising from commercial contracts. Through the assistance of a lawyer specializing in debt recovery, the creditor may file the petition and necessary documentation, reducing the risk of rejection for formal defects.

The procedure requires notifying the debtor through a payment summons and subsequently filing a petition with the court for the issuance of the payment order. Its major advantage lies in the speed of resolution, as deadlines are significantly shorter compared to a regular lawsuit. Moreover, through the payment order, the creditor obtains an enforceable title, immediately enabling enforcement proceedings. This makes it a preferred method in debt recovery procedure for companies, securing timely debt collection.

However, not all debts may be subject to this procedure. If the debtor contests the existence of the debt or raises complex legal defenses, the court may dismiss the petition, compelling the creditor to pursue a common law action for debt recovery. In such cases, the role of a lawyer specializing in debt recovery becomes crucial, as they will assess the chances of success and may recommend alternatives, including an action for damages where delays caused significant prejudice under contractual liability rules.

Other legal methods of debt recovery

Besides the payment order, creditors may resort to common law actions for debt collection against companies or individuals. These actions involve filing a statement of claim, presenting evidence, and obtaining a final court judgment. Unlike the simplified procedure, these lawsuits are more complex and can last longer, but they allow for addressing contested debts. In this context, a civil liability ora contractual liability is enforced through a variety of legal remedies ensuring creditor protection.

Another method of debt recovery is enforcement, which becomes possible after obtaining an enforceable title, whether it be a court judgment or a payment order. The bailiff may take measures such as garnishment of bank accounts, seizure of movable or immovable property, or sale of assets through public auction. In many cases, such measures result in effective debt collection in a shorter time than traditional litigation.

Creditors also have the option of initiating insolvency proceedings against debtors. This is frequently used in debt recovery procedure, particularly when the debtor is a company with accumulated debts. Through the assistance of a lawyer in debt recovery, the creditor may request the debtor’s entry into insolvency, ensuring participation in the creditors’ assembly and the possibility of recovering all or part of the claim. Simultaneously, in certain cases, an action for damages may be filed to cover collateral losses, reinforcing the scope of civil liability or contractual liability.

Efficient strategies for debt recovery

In business practice, companies must adopt proactive strategies for debt collection, preventing the accumulation of unpaid claims. A first step is the careful drafting of contracts, including clear clauses on payment deadlines, penalties, and guarantees. In this way, the creditor’s civil liability rights are easier to enforce. Consulting a lawyer specialized in debt recovery is advisable to avoid abusive or ambiguous contractual provisions.

Another effective strategy is sending prior notices to debtors and strictly monitoring payment deadlines. Through such measures, companies can accelerate debt recovery and avoid escalating disputes. When debtors fail to comply, the creditor may initiate the payment order procedure or proceed directly to enforcement. In both cases, debt collection becomes more efficient when the creditor acts promptly and with proper documentation.

Furthermore, turning to specialized debt recovery procedure services or collaborating with law firms provides a competitive advantage. An experienced lawyer in debt recovery may also propose filing an action for damages in cases where payment delays caused substantial losses. These strategies allow companies to secure their cash flow, reduce risks, and maintain contractual balance while ensuring compliance with contractual liability rules.

The role of written evidence in proving claims

In debt recovery procedure against companies, clear and well-drafted documentation plays a decisive role. Contracts, invoices, written correspondence, and payment confirmations are essential evidence before the court. By presenting such documents, the creditor demonstrates the certain, liquid, and due nature of the claim. This is indispensable in the payment order procedure, where the court examines only the written evidence without admitting witness statements or complex expert reports.

The absence of written proof may compromise the entire debt recovery process, delaying or even preventing the creditor from obtaining an enforceable title. For this reason, careful archiving of documentation and consultation with a lawyer specializing in debt recovery are highly recommended before filing a claim. This ensures the prerequisites for successful debt collection and eliminates risks of procedural flaws.

Moreover, clear documentation enables the creditor to file an action for damages whenever the debtor’s non-performance caused additional losses. In such circumstances, civil liability extends beyond the principal amount due, covering late payment penalties or compensation for damages. This comprehensive approach provides creditors with full legal protection, securing effective debt recovery and compliance with contractual liability standards.

Essential steps for fast and efficient debt recovery

The first step in a debt recovery procedure against companies or individuals is to assess the debtor’s financial situation accurately. This includes verifying the existence of assets and the debtor’s ability to pay. The creditor then issues a summons or official notice, granting a short deadline for payment. If the debtor remains inactive, judicial measures such as the payment order or a common law lawsuit for debt collection can follow.

At this stage, the involvement of a lawyer specializing in debt recovery is crucial. They prepare the petition and required documentation, ensuring compliance with all procedural requirements. With a well-structured strategy, the creditor maximizes the chances of success, obtaining an enforceable title and initiating enforcement. These measures expedite debt recovery and ensure effective debt collection while reducing losses.

Finally, the creditor may also seek an action for damages to recover the prejudice caused by contractual non-performance. By using the legal instruments appropriately and collaborating with a professional in debt recovery, the chances of success increase considerably. This confirms the importance of civil liability as a protective tool for creditors and highlights the proactive role of companies and individuals in managing debt recovery procedure both against legal entities and individuals.

Thus, the debt recovery procedure in Romania, whether through payment order, enforcement, or common law actions, represents an efficient legal mechanism for enforcing civil liability or contractual liability and achieving rapid debt recovery. With the support of a lawyer specializing in debt recovery, creditors can professionally manage non-payment situations, ensuring both effective debt collection and, when necessary, an action for damages based on contractual liability. Moreover, for secure and efficient debt recovery procedure, combining legal instruments with preventive contractual strategies is essential to protect financial stability and long-term commercial relationships.

Pavel, Margarit and Associates Law Firm is one of the top law firms in Romania, providing high-quality legal services. The firm’s clients include multinational and domestic companies of great magnitude. In 2025, the law firm’s success stories brought it international recognition from the most prestigious international guides and publications in the field. As a result, Pavel, Margarit and Associates Law Firm ranked 3rd in Romania in the Legal 500’s ranking of business law firms with the most relevant expertise. The law firm is internationally recognized by the IFLR 1000 Financial and Corporate 2025 guide. Additionally, Pavel, Margarit and Associates Law Firm is the only law firm in Romania recommended by the international director of Global Law Experts in London in the Dispute Resolution practice area. All relevant information about Pavel, Margarit and Associates Law Firm can be found on the website www.avocatpavel.com.