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.
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:
Arbitration awards follow a slightly different route under the Arbitration Procedure Code.
- 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.
✅ 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:
2.File a petition with the appropriate Russian court:
3.Participate in court hearings:
4.Obtain a writ of enforcement:
5.Execute via Russian Federal Bailiff Service:
- 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.
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
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
