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Cerno Law FirmCERNOLAW FIRM

Debt recovery

Debt recovery lawyer in Luxembourg

The firm recovers your unpaid invoices in Luxembourg and internationally: formal notice, payment order, court proceedings and forced enforcement.

4,879 client reviews on GoogleRead the reviews

Legal content reviewed by Maître Cora Maglo, Avocate à la Cour, Liste I du Barreau de Luxembourg depuis 2009.

An unpaid debt weighs directly on your cash flow. The longer you wait, the harder and costlier recovery becomes.

The firm selects the fastest and most economical procedure depending on the amount, the debtor and their location.

The need

Unpaid invoices, debtors who go quiet, internal reminders that have no effect.

Without a structured escalation, the debt ages and the risk of non-recovery grows.

The risk

An unclaimed debt becomes time-barred; a debtor can organise their own insolvency while you wait.

Recovering late costs more and reduces your chances of full payment.

Our role

A firm formal notice, then, if necessary, a payment order or a summons, through to forced enforcement by a bailiff.

For cross-border debts, the firm uses the European instruments (European payment order, European Enforcement Order).

Practice areas

When to call on the firm

  • Formally chase a debtor through a lawyer's formal notice.
  • Obtain a payment order in Luxembourg.
  • Recover a debt against a debtor based abroad.
  • Enforce a judgment or a title.

Method

Our engagement process

  1. 1

    Information intake

    You describe your need via a structured form or an initial call. Our digital tools serve only to organise this information and save time.

  2. 2

    Lawyer qualification

    Maître Maglo reviews your situation, identifies the legal issues and confirms the feasibility and exact scope of the engagement.

  3. 3

    Transparent quote

    You receive a clear fee proposal, a fixed fee or a range, before any engagement. Nothing is billed without your approval.

  4. 4

    Legal work

    The firm drafts, negotiates or litigates as required. Every deliverable is designed and approved by a lawyer admitted to the Luxembourg Bar.

  5. 5

    Tracking and delivery

    You follow your matter transparently and receive your finalised documents with the explanations you need.

Documents required

  • Invoices and purchase orders
  • The contract or general terms and conditions
  • Reminders already sent

Deliverables

  • A formal notice
  • Payment order or summons proceedings
  • Tracking of enforcement

Indicative timing

The formal notice goes out within a few days. A payment order can succeed within a few weeks where the debt is not contested.

Fees proportionate to the stake

A fixed fee for the formal notice, then fees by stage. Costs are stated in advance.

Get a quote

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

From what amount should you call on a lawyer?

A lawyer's formal notice is worthwhile even for modest amounts, as it gives credibility to the claim. For larger or contested amounts, court proceedings become relevant.

How do you recover against a debtor abroad?

To recover against a debtor abroad, the firm uses the European instruments (European payment order, European Enforcement Order) and coordinates enforcement in the debtor's country.

What if the debtor contests the debt?

If the debtor contests the debt, the matter shifts to litigation on the merits, where the firm defends your claim with the available evidence.

Quick answer

How do you recover an unpaid invoice in Luxembourg?

Recovering a debt begins with a review of the file and a formal notice. In the absence of payment, the creditor can bring court proceedings to obtain an enforceable decision and recover the sums due, late-payment interest and certain costs.

Our approach

A pragmatic reading of every case

Notre objectif n’est pas seulement d’expliquer la règle, mais d’identifier la solution la plus efficace pour atteindre vos objectifs. Chaque dossier est analysé sous trois angles.

Risque juridique

La règle applicable, les délais et les points de contentieux possibles.

Risque opérationnel

L’impact concret sur votre activité, vos contrats et votre organisation.

Risque financier

Le coût d’une décision, d’un litige ou d’une inaction, chiffré en amont.

Expertise

Our recovery method

File review

  • Contracts and purchase orders
  • Invoices
  • Acknowledgements of debt
  • Correspondence between the parties
  • Debtor's solvency

Formal notice

  • Obtaining swift payment
  • Preserving the commercial relationship
  • Demonstrating the creditor's determination

Amicable negotiation

  • Payment schedules
  • Settlement protocols
  • Guarantees
  • Settlement agreements

Court action

  • Commercial Court
  • Order for payment
  • Attachments
  • Enforcement of decisions

International recovery

  • France, Belgium, Germany
  • European order for payment
  • Coordination with partner firms
  • Cross-border enforcement

Debtor insolvency

  • Filing of claims
  • Collective proceedings
  • Liquidation
  • Negotiation with the administrator

Examples of matters handled

Proven expertise, anonymised

Unpaid invoices between companies

Formal notice followed by a negotiation securing payment without proceedings.

Foreign debtor

Coordination with a partner firm in the relevant jurisdiction.

Debtor in financial difficulty

Protection of the creditor's interests in collective proceedings.

Commercial dispute

Obtaining an enforceable decision and then enforced execution.

Representative and anonymised examples, for illustration only. Every matter is handled and validated by a lawyer registered with the Luxembourg Bar.

They entrust us with their cases

Varied profiles, the same standard of excellence

  • Entrepreneurs setting up their company in Luxembourg
  • International investors
  • SME executives
  • International groups
  • Expatriates and international families
  • Employers recruiting foreign talent

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

When should you send a formal notice?

As soon as an unpaid invoice persists despite reminders. The formal notice sets a payment deadline, triggers late-payment interest and is a key step before any court action.

How much does recovery proceedings cost?

The formal notice is charged on a fixed-fee basis from EUR 450 excluding tax. The court phase depends on the amount and the complexity; the cost is stated before any commitment, and part of the costs may, depending on the case, be charged to the debtor.

Can late-payment interest be recovered?

Yes. In commercial matters, late-payment interest and a fixed recovery indemnity are in principle due, in addition to the principal. The contract and the terms of sale often specify the rate.

What is the limitation period for a commercial debt?

It varies according to the nature of the debt. Acting quickly is essential: once the limitation period has passed, the right to demand payment is lost. A prompt review of the file secures your rights.

What should you do if the debtor is bankrupt?

The creditor must file its claim in the collective proceedings and defend its interests with the administrator or receiver. The firm assists with this filing and the follow-up of the proceedings.

How do you recover an international debt?

Depending on the debtor, through the European order for payment, the European enforcement regulations or coordination with a local partner firm. Cerno manages these cross-border matters.

Member of

Affiliations & réseaux professionnels

  • Barreau de Luxembourg
  • European Immigration Lawyers Network (EILN)
  • Union des Avocats Européens (AEA)
  • Cross Border Advisory Solutions
  • Institut Luxembourgeois des Administrateurs (ILA)
  • Association Luxembourgeoise des Juristes de Droit Bancaire (ALJB)

Free guide · PDF

The practical guide to secure your next step

Checklists, key steps and points to watch, prepared by the firm. Get it instantly, no strings attached.

  • The key steps, explained simply
  • The documents to prepare
  • The common mistakes to avoid
Written by a lawyer 100% free No commitment Instant download

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Written by Maître Cora Maglo, attorney at law.

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Choosing Cerno means choosing over 17 years of experience

2013
independent firm
Barreau de Luxembourg
2009
at the Bar since 2009
4,8/5
79 Google reviews
Read reviews
7
working languages
100+
companies & SOPARFI structured
200+
visas & residence permits obtained
170
client nationalities served
300+
due diligence reviews conducted

Around twenty M&A transactions supported · one of the best visa approval rates in Luxembourg.

Since 2009, we devote our expertise to your satisfaction: more than 85% of our clients renew their trust in us.

Our work

Representative matters, anonymised

Typical examples of engagements handled by the firm, presented in an anonymised and illustrative manner. Each matter is handled and validated by a lawyer registered with the Luxembourg Bar.

Typical, anonymised examples, for illustration only. They do not prejudge the outcome of a matter, which depends on each situation.

Entrust my matter to the firm

Expertise & authority

Ongoing review and analysis of Luxembourg and European case law

Avocate à la Cour, List I of the Luxembourg Bar since 2009

Trained at the London School of Economics, formerly at Clifford Chance and Bonn Steichen & Partners

Member of international networks: EILN, AEA, Cross Border Advisory Solutions

Every matter handled and approved by a lawyer admitted to the Bar

Support in 7 languages, clients of 170 nationalities

They talk about us

The firm referenced and cited

Professional directories, business press and legal publications where Cerno Law Firm and Maître Cora Maglo are referenced.

Let’s talk about your matter

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