Debt Collection
Pre-action letter, lawsuit, enforcement: effective debt collection step by step.
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Ing. Mgr. Tomáš Beneš, attorney
Czech Bar Association reg. no. 20354 · Updated 22 July 2026
What I will handle for you in debt collection
Unpaid invoices complicate your company's cash flow and put unnecessary strain on your finances. I will take care of effective collection, from a pre-action letter through court proceedings to enforcement, and at every step tell you whether it is worth continuing or time to write the debt off.
from CZK 1,500
pre-action letter, indicative price
- ✓Court fee for a lawsuit 4–5% of the principal (minimum CZK 1,000), generally reimbursed by the other side if you win
- ✓Enforcement costs borne by the debtor, the creditor pays only an advance, usually CZK 500–1,500, refunded if enforcement succeeds
Pre-action letter
A professional demand for payment. Many debtors pay as soon as they receive a pre-action letter.
Lawsuit and court proceedings
Preparing a lawsuit, representation in court, payment order. Effective judicial debt collection.
Enforcement proceedings
Filing for enforcement after a final court decision. Recovering the debt from the debtor's assets.
How debt collection works step by step
Before I write a single word to the debtor, we go through what evidence you have: the contract or order the debt arose from, the invoice with its due date, proof of performance, and all communication with the debtor. Weak documentation is the most common reason collection drags on unnecessarily.
The first step is usually a pre-action letter. Under Section 142a of the Code of Civil Procedure it must be delivered to the debtor at least 7 days before filing a lawsuit, otherwise the court may not award you reimbursement of costs even if you win. Many debtors pay as soon as they receive a letter with an attorney's letterhead, without any further proceedings.
If the debtor does not respond, court collection follows. For undisputed debts, the fastest route is an application for a payment order (Section 172 of the Code of Civil Procedure): the court decides without a hearing, and the debtor has 15 days to pay or file an objection. The court fee is 4–5% of the principal (minimum CZK 1,000), but if you succeed the court will order the other side to reimburse it. If the debtor objects, or the debt is disputed, the matter proceeds as standard litigation, which takes roughly 6 to 18 months.
A final decision is an enforcement title. Depending on the debtor's assets, the enforcement officer chooses the method of recovery: wage deductions, seizure of a bank account, or the sale of real estate or movable property. The creditor usually pays only an advance on enforcement costs (roughly CZK 500–1,500), which is borne by the debtor if enforcement succeeds. Throughout, you also need to watch the limitation period: the general period is three years from the due date (Section 629 of the Civil Code), though acknowledgement of the debt extends it to ten years (Section 639 of the Civil Code, no written form required), and a written acknowledgement additionally raises a presumption that the debt still exists (Section 2053 of the Civil Code).
Typical situations businesses bring to me
- ✓A customer keeps pushing back invoice payment and the business needs a clear, firm approach
- ✓The debtor informally acknowledges the debt but cannot pay right now: a written acknowledgement with a payment schedule is often the solution
- ✓The business has several smaller debts owed by different debtors and needs to collect all of them efficiently
- ✓The debtor is in insolvency and the claim needs to be filed in the insolvency proceedings in time
What to prepare before contacting me
- ✓The invoice or contract the debt arose from, with its due date marked
- ✓Proof of performance: a delivery note, handover protocol, or other confirmation that you performed
- ✓All communication with the debtor: e-mails, texts, even informal promises to pay
- ✓The debtor's identifying details (company ID for businesses, address for individuals)
I collect debts online for clients in Prague and beyond, and handle court proceedings and any enforcement regardless of where the debtor is based.
Debt owed by a debtor in insolvency
If the debtor ends up in insolvency, ordinary collection is no longer enough. The claim must be filed in the insolvency proceedings within the stated deadline, otherwise it may not be taken into account. I will prepare the claim filing for you and represent you throughout the insolvency proceedings.
Who will handle your case
Ing. Mgr. Tomáš Beneš
Attorney registered with the Czech Bar Association, based in Prague.
Law degree from Charles University. I focus on business law, real estate and employment disputes. I handle every case personally, no assistants.
More about me →How we will work together
Describe your case
Fill in a short form or send me an e-mail. A few sentences about what happened and what you need to resolve are enough.
Send your documents
Attach the relevant documents (contracts, correspondence, notice of termination…). I accept everything securely online.
We'll discuss it by phone
I will study your case and call you within 48 hours with a proposal for the specific next steps, including the price.
You'll receive the solution by e-mail
You will receive the contract, filing or legal analysis by e-mail. Everything is done quickly and without unnecessary meetings.
I collect debts firmly and effectively
Describe your case. You will receive a concrete proposal within 48 hours, completely free of charge.
Free consultation →Frequently asked questions: Debt collection
Your case is in good hands.
Do not hesitate to reach out, the first consultation is free and without obligation.
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