When you need to recover money from unpaid invoices, services rendered but not paid for, delivered products, unreturned advance payments or late-payment penalties, the small claims procedure can be one of the most efficient solutions.
This procedure applies to claims of up to RON 50,000, excluding interest, penalties and court costs. It is a simplified procedure designed for situations where the amount owed can be proven by documents: contracts, invoices, orders, correspondence, payment notices or bank statements.
Why is this procedure useful?
The small claims procedure is, as a rule, a written procedure, which means that the court may decide the case on the basis of the documents filed, without a classic civil trial involving numerous hearings.
The main advantages are:
- reduced costs, the court stamp duty is RON 50 for claims of up to RON 2,000 and RON 200 for claims exceeding RON 2,000;
- significantly shorter duration compared to ordinary litigation;
- simplified procedure, based primarily on documentary evidence;
- the possibility to recover not only the principal amount, but also penalties, interest and court costs, where justified.
How is the money actually recovered?
The first step is to file the claim with the court having jurisdiction, together with all documents evidencing the debt. If the court allows the claim, the debtor will be ordered to pay by court judgment.
If the debtor does not pay voluntarily, the judgment may be enforced through enforcement proceedings, by a judicial enforcement officer, in order to recover the amounts from accounts, income or assets.
What documents are required?
- the contract between the parties;
- the issued invoices;
- proof of the services rendered or products delivered;
- orders, accepted offers or relevant conversations;
- payment notices sent to the debtor;
- proof of partial payments, if any;
- the calculation of penalties or interest;
- any correspondence by which the debtor acknowledges the debt, directly or indirectly.
In the current economic context, payment delays may directly affect the activity of an individual or a company. Unpaid amounts, even where they do not appear substantial, can block cash flow, generate losses and encourage debtors to postpone payment without immediate consequences.
If you have unpaid invoices, services rendered but not paid for, products delivered without payment of the price, or other certain sums to recover, the small claims procedure may be a fast, accessible and efficient solution.
Through this procedure, the debt can be converted into a court judgment and, if the debtor does not pay voluntarily, the amount can be recovered through enforcement proceedings.
If you wish to recover your money efficiently, the small claims procedure can be the first concrete step towards protecting your rights.