For lawyers

Your local legal contact in Italy and Bulgaria.

We work alongside Italian and Bulgarian colleagues when a matter requires action in the other country: from reviewing a decision to enforcing it, and from attending a single hearing to jointly representing a client. We agree the scope of the engagement, responsibilities and communication arrangements, keeping the referring lawyer’s role clear.

From Italy to Bulgaria

Do you need to take action in Bulgaria?

For Italian lawyers whose clients have a debtor, assets, a counterparty or a dispute in Bulgaria.

Review of the Italian judgment or other enforceable instrument and the rules governing its use in Bulgaria.
Preparation of the enforcement file and liaison with the competent Bulgarian enforcement agent, whether public or private.
Searches of accessible registers and assessment of enforcement measures against the debtor’s assets.
Local legal support, procedural steps and negotiations within the agreed scope of the engagement.

Sonia Petrova

Contact lawyer Sonia Petrova

From Bulgaria to Italy

Do you need to take action in Italy?

For Bulgarian lawyers whose clients have a debtor, assets, a counterparty or a dispute in Italy.

Review of the Bulgarian decision and the requirements for its enforcement in Italy.
Preparation of documents for service and the notice to comply (precetto) preceding enforcement, where required, and assistance with enforcement proceedings.
Assessment of attachment of assets held by third parties or seizure of movable or immovable property, according to the assets identified.
Joint representation, service address arrangements where permitted, and handling of the agreed judicial or out-of-court activities.

Andrea De Amicis

Contact lawyer Andrea De Amicis

Three areas of cooperation

Recognition of judgments and orders

We check the subject matter, the nature of the decision, when proceedings were instituted and whether the decision is enforceable. In cases covered by Regulation (EU) No 1215/2012, recognition requires no special procedure. If the judgment is enforceable in the Member State of origin, it may be enforced in the other Member State without a prior declaration of enforceability. The prescribed documents and procedural requirements still apply, together with the remedies available to protect the other party.

Recognition and enforcement: the European framework

Enforcement and protection of creditors’ rights

We organise the steps from an enforceable instrument to action in the country where the assets are located: documents, service, lawfully obtainable information on assets and coordination with the enforcement authorities. We assess costs, urgency, challenges and possible settlements, recognising that an enforceable instrument does not guarantee recovery.

Debt recovery in Italy and Bulgaria

Joint representation and local legal support

Cooperation may cover a single stage or the entire matter: reviewing case papers, advising on local law, drafting and filing documents within the scope of the engagement, attending hearings, negotiating and providing contractual advice. We define who is responsible for each step and how the client will be involved, in accordance with the respective mandates and applicable professional rules.

Meet the Firm’s professionals

Identify the applicable rules before choosing the procedure

The Brussels I Recast Regulation covers civil and commercial matters within its scope and, as a general rule, proceedings instituted on or after 10 January 2015. Enforcement of a judgment requires a copy establishing its authenticity and the certificate under Article 53. Service of the certificate and judgment, translations and provisional measures each require a specific assessment.

Family matters, maintenance obligations, succession, insolvency and arbitration may be governed by different rules. Authentic instruments, court settlements, the European Enforcement Order for uncontested claims and the European order for payment also have their own requirements. The initial assessment identifies the appropriate route, avoiding requests for unnecessary certificates or formalities.

How we organise work between lawyers

Initial assessment and availability
Specify the country, the assistance required, the subject matter and any deadlines. We agree what information is needed to check for conflicts of interest and whether we can accept the engagement.
Review of the case file
Following our initial response, we identify the documents, powers of attorney, certificates and any translations needed for the matter, and agree how they should be sent.
Scope and fee proposal
We agree the lead contact, included activities, fees, funds required in advance, out-of-pocket expenses and approval of any additional work. The referring lawyer remains involved in the agreed role.
Work and progress updates
We agree how updates will be provided, deadlines managed and case papers exchanged. Communication with the client and decisions on the conduct of the matter follow the agreed arrangements.

For lawyers

Documents to prepare for the case review

This list is a guide to preparing the file; the documents actually required depend on the subject matter and procedure.

Details of the parties and their lawyers, the country where assistance is needed and a summary of the request.
The complete decision, case reference details and the date proceedings were instituted.
Evidence of enforceability, any certificates already issued and information on appeals or stays.
Proof of service, steps already taken and a schedule of known deadlines.
A statement of the debt showing principal, interest, costs and payments received, where relevant.
Available information on the debtor and assets, together with any existing powers of attorney and translations.

A brief summary without confidential attachments is sufficient for the initial enquiry. The Firm will request the case file after responding, using an agreed method of transmission. Sending an enquiry by email does not mean that the Firm has accepted the engagement or assumed responsibility for managing any deadlines.

Questions from referring lawyers

Are recognition proceedings always required?

No. Judgments covered by the Brussels I Recast Regulation require no special recognition procedure. If the judgment is enforceable in the Member State of origin, it may be enforced in the other Member State without a prior declaration of enforceability. The Regulation’s scope and requirements, documents, service and local enforcement rules must still be checked. Other subject matters or enforceable instruments may require a different approach.

Can we instruct you for just one stage of a matter?

Yes. We can agree a limited engagement, for example to review an enforceable instrument, assist at a stage of enforcement, carry out a local task or support a colleague in negotiations. The work and responsibilities are defined before we begin.

How are timelines and costs assessed?

Following the initial review, we set out the proposed work and financial terms, distinguishing fees from expenses. Timelines and cost-effectiveness also depend on the available documents, service requirements, authorities involved, assets available for enforcement and any challenges. They cannot be guaranteed without assessing the circumstances.

Let’s discuss your matter.

Write to the contact for the country where action is needed, stating that you are a lawyer, the subject matter and any deadlines. If the matter involves both countries, we will agree a coordinated approach.

Contact lawyer Sonia Petrova Contact lawyer Andrea De Amicis