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.
In short
Debt recovery in Luxembourg follows four stages: formal notice, order for payment, judicial proceedings on the merits, then enforcement. Cerno Law Firm conducts each of them, in Luxembourg and internationally. The older the debt, the harder and costlier recovery becomes.
Responsible for legal content: Maître Cora Maglo, Avocate à la Cour, Liste I du Barreau de Luxembourg depuis 2009. · Applicable law: Luxembourg
Debt recovery lawyer in Luxembourg: key points at a glance
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Fees | Fees proportionate to the stake. A fixed fee for the formal notice, then fees by stage. Costs are stated in advance. |
| 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. |
| Documents required |
|
| Deliverables |
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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.
Unpaid invoice: which debt recovery route fits?
Debt collection is not a mandatory sequence of four steps. The choice depends on whether the debt is disputed, the evidence, amount, debtor location and likelihood of enforcement.
| Debt situation | Key evidence | Initial decision |
|---|---|---|
| Overdue invoice, apparently undisputed | Invoice, contract, delivery evidence, reminders | Reminder, formal notice or an appropriate legal process? |
| Invoice contested on performance | Objections, correspondence, contract, proof of work | What is disputed and how well is the claim evidenced? |
| Debtor abroad or experiencing distress | Location, jurisdiction, guarantees, available solvency data | Which cross-border route and how enforceable is an outcome? |
A formal notice is not compulsory before every action. Payment-order and enforcement procedures have specific requirements.
Guichet.lu — debt recovery procedures
Discuss my situation with a lawyerDebt recovery lawyer in Luxembourg: when should you call on the firm?
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.
What happens if you do nothing?
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.
How does the firm step in?
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.
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Describe your need
Select your issue, answer a few simple questions and share your documents if needed.
What you get
- Initial qualification of the case
- List of useful documents
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What reassures our clients
Confidentiality
Lawyer’s professional secrecy.
Speed
Start your case online 24/7.
Transparency
Fees communicated before engagement.
Expertise
Review by a lawyer of the Luxembourg Bar.
Simplicity
Under 5 minutes to open your case.
Fees proportionate to the stake
A fixed fee for the formal notice, then fees by stage. Costs are stated in advance.
See fees for this areaFAQ
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.
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.
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
Our aim is not only to explain the rule, but to identify the most effective route to your objectives. Every matter is analysed from three angles.
Legal risk
The applicable rule, deadlines and possible points of dispute.
Operational risk
The concrete impact on your business, your contracts and your organisation.
Financial risk
The cost of a decision, a dispute or inaction, quantified upfront.
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
Typical situations
The engagements we handle in this area
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.
Illustrative situations describing types of engagement, not identifiable client matters or results obtained. 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
Explore our key areas of expertise
Recovery, litigation and insolvency
Free guide · PDF
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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
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Founded in 2013; Maître Cora Maglo has been admitted to the Luxembourg Bar since 2009
- 2013
- independent firm
- 2009
- at the Bar since 2009
- 4,7/5
- 81 Google reviewsRead reviews
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 French and English
Testimonials
What our clients say
Selected excerpts from public reviews. Consult the Google listing for all ratings and comments; a testimonial does not guarantee a legal outcome.
Had a consultation with Me Cora Maglo about my Luxembourg Blue Card application. She explained everything clearly: the process, timeline and documents I need, and helped me with my wife’s family reunification too. Honest and practical advice. I felt confident after talking to her.F. P.J’ai beaucoup apprécié le service de Maître Maglo : son sérieux, sa sympathie, son professionnalisme et sa disponibilité. Toujours répondu rapidement et clairement, avec des conseils pragmatiques, sans pousser à des procédures longues et coûteuses lorsqu’elles ne sont pas justifiées.N. W.Super assistance and great support! Highly recommend. All my questions were answered, Cora and her team kept me updated all the time. I will definitely reach out to them next time for my residency.T.They talk about us
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