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How to Enforce a Foreign Court Judgment in Russia (2025 Guide)

Imagine this: you’ve won a court case abroad — maybe in Germany, the UK, or Turkey — and your debtor owns assets in Russia. Victory in court is one thing; getting paid is another. To turn your foreign judgment into enforceable legal reality in Russia, you must go through recognition and enforcement procedures in Russian courts.

At RT-Union — Russian-Turkish Law & Consulting Firm, we help international clients transform judgments into actual financial results across jurisdictions.

Can Foreign Court Decisions Be Enforced in Russia?

Yes — Russian law allows enforcement of foreign court judgments, provided certain legal conditions are met. These conditions vary depending on whether your country:

  • has a bilateral or multilateral treaty with Russia (e.g. Germany, France, Turkey, UAE), or
  • is subject to reciprocity — meaning your country also enforces Russian judgments.

This applies to:

  • Civil and commercial judgments (contracts, debt, corporate disputes),
  • Family law rulings (divorce, child support),
  • Arbitral awards under the New York Convention.

What Russian Law Says

The legal foundation for enforcing foreign judgments in Russia includes:

  • Civil Procedure Code of the Russian Federation, Chapter 45;
  • International treaties (e.g. Hague, Minsk Conventions);
  • Reciprocity principle (widely recognized by Russian courts).

Arbitration awards follow a slightly different route under the Arbitration Procedure Code.

Recognition Requirements: Can My Judgment Be Recognized?

To be recognized and enforced in Russia, your foreign judgment must meet the following conditions:

✅ It is final and binding in your jurisdiction;

✅ The original court had proper jurisdiction;

✅ The defendant was properly notified;

✅ The judgment does not contradict Russian public order ("ordre public");

✅ There is no conflicting Russian court decision.

⚠️ Most refusals are caused by incorrect documentation or translation errors — this is where RT-Union brings peace of mind.

Step-by-Step: Enforcement Procedure in Russia

1Prepare your documentation:

  • Certified copy of the foreign judgment;
  • Apostille or legalization (if required);
  • Certified Russian translation;
  • Proof of finality.

2.File a petition with the appropriate Russian court:

  • Jurisdiction depends on the debtor’s location or asset placement.

3.Participate in court hearings:

  • Our lawyers appear on your behalf.

4.Obtain a writ of enforcement:

  • This unlocks access to bailiff execution.

5.Execute via Russian Federal Bailiff Service:
  • RT-Union handles communication, enforcement, and asset recovery.

How Long Does It Take?

Typically:
  • 2–5 months from submission to judgment recognition,
  • 1–2 months for enforcement — depending on asset accessibility.

Avoid Common Pitfalls

Risk:

  • Missing apostille or translation
  • Unclear jurisdiction
  • Asset concealment
  • Bureaucratic slowdowns

How RT-Union Solves It:

  • We handle full certification and linguistic compliance
  • We pre-analyze the foreign decision’s enforceability
  • We coordinate with bailiffs and forensic asset tracing
  • Our in-country team ensures procedural momentum

Case Study: €250,000 Recovered for French Client

A Paris-based firm faced non-payment from a Russian distributor. With RT-Union’s legal team:

  • Documents were legalized and translated in 1 week,
  • Enforcement petition filed and approved in under 3 months,
  • A bank account was frozen within 14 days,
  • Debt recovered in full through execution.

Why Work with RT-Union: Russian-Turkish Law & Consulting Firm

  • We are a cross-border legal team with offices in both Russia and Turkey,
  • Multilingual communication in English, Russian, and Turkish,
  • Deep experience in international judgment enforcement,
  • Personalized approach for every jurisdiction and asset profile.

At RT-Union, we don't just understand legal systems — we navigate them on your behalf.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can UK judgments still be enforced after Brexit?
Yes. Russian courts now review UK cases under reciprocity — enforcement is still possible.

Can I enforce an arbitral award?
Yes — if the award is covered under the New York Convention, enforcement is straightforward.

Do I need to come to Russia in person?
No. Our attorneys can represent you in full, with remote document handling.

Take Action: Start Your Enforcement in Russia Today

Have a foreign court decision to enforce?

RT-Union’s litigation team offers a free preliminary review of your judgment and documents.

📞 Get expert guidance, fast communication, and real results.

👉 Start Enforcement with RT-Union