Regardless of whether the lawsuit ended with an order for payment, judgment or default judgment, it will sometimes be necessary to refer the case to a bailiff to enforce the claim asserted in the lawsuit. The following is how this should be done.
According to the provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure, the basis for enforcement is the writ of execution. The enforcement title, on the other hand, is, among other things. A final or immediately enforceable court decision with an enforcement clause.
In view of the above, the creditor should first make sure that the judgment issued in the case is final or immediately enforceable, and then apply to the court before which the proceedings took place for an enforceability clause. Upon receipt of a judgment with a writ of execution, the creditor will have an enforceable title.
Subsequently, after obtaining a writ of execution, it is necessary to direct, to the appropriate court bailiff, a request for enforcement. In some cases, you can choose any enforcement agency, but it is best if you choose a bailiff from the revir, that is, from the place where the debtor’s residence is located.
A request for enforcement can be submitted in writing, on an official form, or electronically for cases heard by e-Court. The Code of Civil Procedure indicates only two requirements that an enforcement application should meet, i.e. indicating the benefit to be fulfilled and accompanying the application with an enforcement title. However, it should be remembered that, although not explicitly indicated in the provision, the requirements of a pleading will also apply to a request in writing.
If the application meets the formal requirements, the bailiff will take appropriate action to initiate enforcement proceedings. However, if the application has deficiencies, the creditor will be summoned by the bailiff to complete them within an appropriate period (usually 7 days). If the deficiencies are not corrected within the prescribed period, the bailiff will return the application to the creditor.
If doubts arise on your part as to what an application for an enforcement clause or an execution petition should look like, how to determine the bailiff competent in the case, or perhaps you have recently received a payment order and would like to file an effective objection to it in order to avoid enforcement proceedings, we invite you to contact us. We will be happy to support you in these matters. This will leave you with peace of mind that your affairs are in the right hands.
The author of the entry is trainee attorney Boris Ceglowski.