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.
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
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
Lawyer qualification
Maître Maglo reviews your situation, identifies the legal issues and confirms the feasibility and exact scope of the engagement.
- 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
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
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.
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
Explore our key areas of expertise
Recovery, litigation and insolvency
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.
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
Free diagnostic
An unpaid invoice? Assess your options in 2 minutes.
A few questions are enough to identify your need and the right legal answer, with no sign-up and no commitment.
Choosing Cerno means choosing over 17 years of experience
- 2013
- independent firm
- 2009
- at the Bar since 2009
- 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.
A holding company and a residence permit, in a single process
Incorporation of a SOPARFI for a non-resident investor, combined with obtaining their residence permit. A single point of contact across both fronts.
Permit obtained in 6 weeksA similar matter? Companies & governanceFounders protected before the funding round
Structuring a shareholders’ agreement and governance for a young company with several founders, ahead of a funding round.
Shareholders’ agreement signed before the roundA similar matter? Debt recoveryA debt recovered across borders
Cross-border recovery of unpaid debts for an SME, through an order for payment and coordination with a foreign colleague.
Receivable recovered in full (100%)A similar matter? Employment lawAn executive defended before the Labour Tribunal
Supporting an executive in a contested dismissal, from strategy to representation at the hearing.
Case argued at the hearingA similar matter? ContractsA secured international distribution
Negotiating and securing an international framework distribution agreement, from liabilities through to the competent jurisdiction.
Competent jurisdiction securedA similar matter?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 firmExpertise & 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
Testimonials
What our clients say
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.Farshid Pourlatifi
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.Nathan Wirtzfeld
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.Tatiana
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.
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