Civil and commercial disputes in Latvia

Civil cases are disputes between private parties — individuals or companies — about money, property, contracts or inheritance. We help when a dispute can still be settled by negotiation and when it is already in court. Before anything else, we assess whether litigation is worth it: the chances, the likely cost and the time it will take.

Ask a question about a civil matter

Contracts & debts Real estate Inheritance Company disputes Insolvency Damages & defamation

Contracts and debt recovery

Unpaid invoices, contracts that were not performed, disputes about penalties and interest, quality of work or delivery deadlines. We send a formal pre-action demand, file a claim in court or — for undisputed debts — use Latvia's simplified procedure for compulsory enforcement of obligations, and represent you through enforcement by a bailiff.

Typical situations: a Latvian customer does not pay for goods or services · a supplier delivers late or defective goods · a loan to a Latvian company or individual is not repaid · the other party demands a contractual penalty that looks disproportionate · you need a Latvian contract reviewed before signing.

What is different for a foreign clientIf your contract with a Latvian party says nothing about jurisdiction, EU rules (for EU parties) or Latvian procedural law decide which court hears the case. A judgment of a Latvian court is enforceable across the EU without a separate procedure. We handle correspondence with the other side in English and Latvian.

Real estate: purchases, ownership and lease disputes

Buying or selling an apartment, house or land in Latvia; checking the property and the seller before you sign; drafting and reviewing purchase agreements; registration in the Land Register; co-ownership disputes; boundary and easement disputes; commercial and residential lease disputes, including rent increases and termination; disputes with the building manager or the owners' association.

Typical situations: you are buying an apartment in Riga or Jūrmala and want the contract and the title checked · the seller concealed defects · co-owners cannot agree on how to use the property · the landlord raises the rent unilaterally · a tenant refuses to vacate.

What is different for a foreign clientOwnership of real estate in Latvia exists only once it is registered in the Land Register (Zemesgrāmata) — a signed contract alone is not enough. Signatures on the registration request are certified by a Latvian notary, which can be done by a representative under a notarised power of attorney. Citizens of non-EU countries may need the municipality's consent to acquire land (not apartments), and some categories of land cannot be acquired by foreign persons at all. Since 3 July 2025, citizens of Russia and Belarus and companies they control may not acquire real estate in Latvia at all, with narrow exceptions (for example inheritance by close relatives, or one home for holders of a Latvian residence permit issued before the ban). We check these points before you commit any money.

Inheritance with a foreign element

Inheritance of property in Latvia by heirs living abroad; inheritance in Latvia after a person who lived abroad; accepting or renouncing an inheritance; contesting a will; claims to the compulsory share; disputes between heirs; division of the estate; debts of the estate.

Typical situations: a relative in Latvia has died and you live abroad · you have inherited an apartment or land in Latvia and want to sell it · the will seems to have been made in unclear circumstances · the heirs cannot agree on the division · the notary asks for documents you do not have.

What is different for a foreign clientIn Latvia succession proceedings are handled by a sworn notary, not a court, unless there is a dispute. For deaths after 17 August 2015 the EU Succession Regulation usually applies: the law of the deceased's last habitual residence governs the estate as a whole, and a European Certificate of Succession issued in another EU state is recognised in Latvia. Foreign documents need a certified Latvian translation and, from non-EU countries, usually an apostille. We can represent you before the notary and the Land Register under a power of attorney, so travelling to Latvia is rarely necessary.

Company and shareholder disputes

Disputes between shareholders, liability of board members, challenging shareholder resolutions, disputes over the sale of shares, breaches of non-compete and confidentiality obligations, disputes with a Latvian business partner or distributor.

Insolvency and creditor claims

Filing and defending creditor claims in Latvian insolvency and liquidation proceedings, challenging decisions of the insolvency administrator, legal protection proceedings (Latvia's restructuring procedure), liability of board members for company debts.

Typical situations: your Latvian debtor has entered insolvency and you must file a claim · the administrator has rejected your claim · a bank or company in liquidation holds funds that are in substance yours.

Damages, defamation and personal rights

Damages for breach of contract or wrongful acts, non-pecuniary damage, protection of honour and reputation (defamation) — including publications on the internet, and damages caused by the state or a municipality (these also under administrative procedure).

How the process works in Latvia

AssessmentWe review the documents and talk it through. We tell you what your claim or defence rests on, what the risks are and what the deadlines are (limitation periods, appeal deadlines).
Pre-action stepIn most cases we first send the other side a reasoned demand or a settlement proposal. A share of disputes ends here, with a settlement that is faster and cheaper than court.
CourtWe prepare the claim or the defence, the evidence and, where needed, an application for interim measures. Latvian civil cases go through up to three instances: a district (city) court, a regional court on appeal, and the Supreme Court (Senate) on points of law only. Many hearings are held in writing; where a hearing takes place, we appear for you. Your personal presence is generally not required when you are represented by an advocate, and courts can allow participation by video link.
EnforcementA judgment does not recover the money by itself — we also handle enforcement through a sworn bailiff, and, for debtors in other EU countries, cross-border enforcement.

How long it takes

Indicative, not a promise: a demand letter and negotiations — a few weeks; compulsory enforcement of an undisputed debt — usually 1–3 months; a claim in the first instance — often 6–18 months depending on the court's workload and the complexity of the case; an appeal — another 6–12 months. We can give a closer estimate once we have seen the file.

What to prepare

the contract with all amendments, annexes, invoices and acceptance documents;
correspondence with the other party (emails, messages, letters) — including what seems unfavourable to you;
proof of payments;
inheritance matters — the notary's letters, the will, documents proving kinship, death certificate;
real estate matters — a Land Register extract, plans, management documents;
if proceedings have already started — all court documents and deadlines.

Documents in English, German or Russian can usually be assessed as they are; for court, a certified Latvian translation will be needed. If a document is missing, that is not an obstacle to the first conversation.

Frequently asked questions

Can I sue a Latvian company or person from abroad without coming to Latvia?

In most civil cases, yes. We act under a written power of attorney, court documents are served on us, and many stages are handled in writing. If a hearing requires your testimony, courts can often arrange participation by video link. We will tell you at the start if your presence is likely to be needed.

Which court has jurisdiction — Latvian or the court in my country?

That depends on the contract, on where the defendant is based and on the nature of the dispute. Between EU parties the Brussels I Regulation decides; it is usually the court of the defendant's home country, with exceptions for contracts, property and consumers. We check this first, because a claim filed in the wrong court costs time and money.

Is it worth going to court over a small amount?

It depends on the amount, the evidence and whether the other side can pay. For undisputed debts Latvia has a fast written procedure with no hearing at all; small claims are heard in a simplified procedure. If the costs are likely to exceed the benefit, we will tell you so in the first reply.

How much does litigation in Latvia cost?

Three parts: the state fee (a percentage of the claim, with a cap), the advocate's fee and other expenses (translations, experts). If you win, the court usually orders the other side to reimburse part of your costs. The fee arrangement is agreed in writing before work starts — by the hour or for a defined stage of the case.

What is the limitation period in Latvia?

The general limitation period in civil law is 10 years; for commercial transactions it is 3 years; many shorter periods exist (carriage, employment, some consumer claims). Seeking advice early is worth it, before the deadline is calculated for you.

I received a summons or a demand from a Latvian court or bailiff. What do I do?

Do not ignore it. Court documents set deadlines for a written response, and missing them weakens your position — a judgment can be given in your absence. Send us the document and we will tell you the deadline and what needs to be done.

Do I need a sworn advocate, or can I represent myself?

You may represent yourself at every instance. In the Supreme Court (Senate), however, the case is decided on points of law alone and a complaint that does not meet the formal requirements is rejected without being examined — which is why parties are in practice represented by an advocate there. Even if you handle the case yourself, a single consultation on strategy and deadlines often pays for itself.

Does a settlement mean I have lost?

No. A settlement is an agreement confirmed by the court, and it is often better than a judgment — faster, cheaper and predictable. Our job is to make sure the terms are acceptable to you, not simply to close the case.

Ask a question about civil and commercial disputes