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 — Turkish International 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: Turkish International 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.