In short
01

What is debt recovery?

It is the path by which you get paid by a customer or a partner who will not pay. It starts with a written claim, continues with a court action and, once there is a judgment, with enforcement: freezing accounts, seizing assets, deducting from income. Not every overdue invoice is worth a lawsuit. A well-drafted notice sometimes resolves it faster.

02

What is enforcement of a judgment?

It is the stage after the court decision, when the bailiff puts into effect what was awarded. The bailiff can freeze accounts, seize assets and deduct from the debtor's income. A judgment on paper does not bring the money by itself. Without enforcement, the debt stays unpaid.

Commercial litigation and debt recovery

Your money should not stay in someone else's pocket

A debtor who has been promising 'next week' for three months, a supplier who cashed your advance but delivered nothing, a shareholder who drained company funds without your consent. These are not exceptional situations in Moldova. They are everyday reality for many businesses.

We do not rush to court for the sake of it. First we assess whether you can recover what you are owed through negotiation, formal notices or pre-trial claims. We turn to litigation only when it is the only realistic path.
What we cover

How we help you recover money and protect your rights

These services cover every stage of a commercial dispute, from a calm analysis of the situation to enforcement of a court judgment.

01

Pre-litigation strategy

Before filing anything, we review the evidence you havex, assess realistic chances of success and weigh costs against benefits. Sometimes the best strategy is a firm negotiation. Other times, court is the only option.

02

Formal claims and pre-trial notices

Many disputes are resolved without court if the debtor receives a well-crafted legal notice. We draft claims, legal positions and settlement proposals that carry weight, because they are backed by substance.

03

Commercial debt recovery

Unpaid invoices, contractual penalties, damages from non-performance. Whatever the cause, we build a solid case and pursue every leu until the money actually lands in your account.

04

Court representation

Commercial disputes with partners, suppliers or clients, corporate conflicts, appeals against unfavourable decisions: we represent you in all courts across Moldova with a strategy built for results, not just the next hearing.

05

Interim measures and enforcement

A favourable judgment means nothing if the debtor has already moved their assets. We request interim measures in time: account freezes, disposal restrictions. Then we follow enforcement through to actual collection.

06

Managing complex disputes

A shareholder conflict paralysing the company, a debtor with multiple entities and suspicious transfers, a supplier withholding your goods. Complex situations demand a multi-layered approach, not just a single claim.

When it helps

Situations where you need us

A debtor has been delaying payment for months, always promising 'soon'We send a legal notice, assess solvency and, if they still don't pay, launch recovery proceedings in court.
A partner breached the contract and you suffered lossesWe document the damage, calculate penalties and build a case to secure the compensation you are entitled to.
You received an aggressive claim and don't know how to respondWe analyse the demand, identify the opponent's weak points and prepare a solid response well before the deadline.
A shareholder conflict is blocking the companyWe map out a strategy: negotiation, exclusion, forced share transfer or liquidation, depending on what is realistic and effective.
You have a court judgment but the debtor still won't payWe work with the bailiff to freeze accounts, seize assets and garnish income. We keep going until you actually recover the money.
You want to estimate penalties before deciding on actionUse our penalty calculator, then we discuss whether litigation or negotiation is the faster route.
How we work

How we work with you

01 / ASSESS

Analyse the situation and evidence

What happened, what documents you have, how solvent the debtor is and what the realistic chances of recovery are.

02 / ACT

Send claims or file in court

Formal notices, pre-trial claims or a court filing: we choose the path with the best odds.

03 / DEFEND

Represent and negotiate

In court, at the negotiation table or before the bailiff - we are there at every stage.

04 / COLLECT

Pursue enforcement until you are paid

A favourable judgment is only worth something when it is enforced. We see it through to the end.

Money recoveredNot just a judgment on paper, but actual sums collected from the debtor.
Time savedA clear strategy from the start cuts months wasted on fruitless procedures.
Immediate protectionInterim measures that block the debtor before they can move their assets.
Legal clarityYou know exactly where you stand, what you can obtain and how long it will take.

Estimate contractual penalties with the Mocanu Legal calculator. Then let's discuss your recovery strategy.

Vladislav Mocanu

Vladislav Mocanu

Legal counsel · Founder, Mocanu | Legal · commercial litigation, debt recovery and court representation in Moldova

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Frequently asked questions

FAQ: commercial litigation and debt recovery

How long does a commercial lawsuit take in Moldova?
It depends on complexity. A straightforward debt recovery via a court order procedure can take a few weeks. A full commercial lawsuit with challenges and appeals may run 6–18 months. Strategy matters enormously: a well-prepared claim significantly shortens the timeline.
Do I have to send a pre-trial claim before filing in court?
Yes, in most commercial cases in Moldova a pre-trial claim is mandatory. The response deadline is usually 30 days. Without this step the court may dismiss your action as inadmissible. But a well-drafted claim often resolves the matter without ever reaching court.
How do I recover money from a debtor who refuses to pay?
The standard path: pre-trial claim → court action → enforceable judgment → application to the bailiff. The bailiff can freeze accounts, seize property and garnish income. Speed is key: the sooner you act, the higher the chances the debtor still has assets to pay from.
What are interim measures and when should I request them?
Interim measures are court-ordered tools that freeze a debtor's assets (bank accounts, property, real estate) to prevent transfers or concealment. You request them when filing the claim or even before, if there is a concrete risk that the debtor will move their assets.
What if my debtor enters insolvency proceedings?
Move fast: claims must be filed within a short window after proceedings open, usually 45 days. We register your claim in the creditors table at the rank it deserves and follow the distributions. Rank matters enormously: a claim placed in a lower rank can be exhausted before it reaches you. If the administrator rejects or reduces the claim, we challenge it.
How much does a litigation lawyer cost in Moldova?
The first consultation is free. After that, fees depend on the amount in dispute, complexity and estimated number of hearings. We work on both fixed per-stage fees and hourly rates. In certain debt recovery cases we also discuss success fees. Court representation is handled by an attorney from the team. At the first consultation we give you a realistic cost estimate.
Can I recover contractual penalties on top of the principal debt?
Yes, if the contract includes late-payment penalties or penalty clauses. In addition, you can claim the statutory interest rate. Use our penalty calculator for a quick estimate. Then we verify together whether the clauses are enforceable under Moldovan law.
Who represents me in court: an attorney or a legal counsel?
Assessing your chances, formal notices and pre-litigation negotiation are handled by legal counsels. Representation before the court itself is taken on by an attorney admitted to the Moldovan Bar. Here the attorney status is not optional, procedure requires it.

Book a Consultation

Fill out the form, and our specialists will contact you to confirm the date and time of your consultation.

During the consultation, you will receive:
  • an initial assessment of your situation
  • an understanding of the key legal risks
  • recommendations for further legal support

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