Debt recovery

Debts are rarely repaid voluntarily after the first reminder. The outcome depends on how well the obligation was documented, how promptly the demand was made, and whether the limitation period has run out.

When to get in touch

• a counterparty or borrower is not repaying the money
• payment under a contract or a promissory note is overdue
• the debtor is avoiding contact and moving assets out
• the debt has been acknowledged but enforcement is dragging on

What the lawyer does

• analyses the documents and confirms that the obligation exists
• prepares the letter of demand and conducts pre-action negotiations
• calculates the full amount claimed: principal, contractual penalty, inflation losses, interest
• prepares the claim and conducts the proceedings
• applies for interim measures over the debtor’s assets
• handles the enforcement proceedings through to actual recovery

Legal basis

An obligation must be performed properly and on time (Articles 526 and 530 of the Civil Code of Ukraine). The legal consequences of breach are set out in Article 611; for late performance of a monetary obligation the creditor is entitled to inflation losses for the whole period of default and three per cent per annum on the overdue amount (Article 625). Contractual penalties are governed by Articles 549–552. The general limitation period is three years (Article 257), and when it starts to run is determined by Article 261.

Legislation and case law are updated over time; this page reflects the position as of August 2026.

Frequently asked questions

What can be recovered besides the debt itself?

Besides the principal — a penalty under the contract or under statute, and inflation losses and interest per annum for late performance of a monetary obligation (Article 625 of the Civil Code).

Can a debt evidenced by a handwritten note be recovered?

Yes. A written note is documentary evidence of the obligation; what matters is its content, the repayment date and whether the limitation period has been observed.

Need legal assistance? Call us or leave a request — a lawyer will contact you and explain what to do in your situation.