Services · III.
Civil law
zák. č. 89/2012 Sb.
Contracts, disputes and debt recovery under the Czech Civil Code. I help set up your legal relationships so they never reach court — and if they do, I run the dispute through to enforcement.
Civil matters and contracts
The Czech Civil Code (No. 89/2012 Coll.) governs almost everything individuals and businesses encounter: contracts, leases, damages, debts, inheritance. Most disputes are born of contracts signed 'as is' — without checking the clauses on penalties, termination and liability.
Half of my work is therefore prevention: drafting and reviewing contracts where risks are named and allocated before signature. The other half is disputes: pre-action notices, lawsuits, court representation and enforcement. I assess the prospects honestly up front — litigation is not always worth it, and you will hear that from me directly.
Debt recovery follows a proven route: a qualified pre-action notice, a payment order for undisputed claims, an ordinary lawsuit — and supervision of enforcement. At every step you know what it costs and what it brings.
People come to me with contracts before signing and disputes after: flat owners and tenants, renovation customers, creditors with non-paying debtors, buyers of defective goods. For foreigners one thing matters most: a Czech court takes evidence under Czech rules, and “that’s how it works back home” is not an argument — whereas properly conducted correspondence decides a great deal.
Prague courts are crowded, which strengthens pre-court pressure: a qualified notice with interest and costs calculated works many times faster than hearings. I build every case so that, at each step, settling is cheaper for the opponent than stalling.
How I can help
Contract drafting and review
Sale, lease, work, loans: I draft contracts for your specific deal rather than from a template, and read the other side's text for hidden risks — penalties, unilateral changes, inconvenient jurisdiction. Every review comes with a mark-up list explaining what changes and why.
Learn moreDamages
Property damage, defective work, accidents, flooding from the neighbours: I secure the evidence, quantify the claim with an expert and negotiate with the insurer or the wrongdoer. If they will not pay voluntarily, a lawsuit follows with interest and costs.
Learn moreDebt recovery
From the pre-action notice to enforcement: a proper notice preserves your right to recover costs, a payment order closes undisputed debts within weeks, an ordinary lawsuit handles the contested ones. I also check the debtor's solvency so we do not win merely 'paper' judgments.
Learn moreConsumer protection
A rejected warranty claim, imposed services, predatory instalment terms: Czech law gives consumers strong tools — from withdrawal to penalties for the seller. I also help businesses set their terms so consumer rules are not breached.
Learn moreLeases and lease disputes
Residential and commercial leases, deposits, rent increases, termination and eviction: I act for landlords and tenants alike. Knowing the Code's protective rules from both sides makes the opponent's arguments predictable.
Learn moreCourts at all instances
I run civil cases from the district court upwards: claims, defences, evidence, appeals. Before each step you receive a written estimate of odds and costs — the decision to go further stays with you, grounded in numbers.
Learn more
Typical situations
A customer refuses to pay for completed work worth hundreds of thousands of crowns: we send a qualified pre-action notice with interest calculated — payment arrives a week before the claim would be filed. A typical pattern: debtors pay once they see the costs will land on them.
The buyer of a used car discovers a rolled-back odometer: we gather the service history and a technician's report — and withdraw from the contract with a full refund. A professional seller answers for hidden defects even when the car is sold 'as is'.
A landlord withholds the deposit for six months citing 'wear and tear': we separate ordinary wear from damage using the handover protocol and photos. After the notice, the full amount returns with default interest.
Fees
Reviewing a standard contract or a pre-action notice — fixed rates; court representation is billed hourly or by stage, with a written budget estimate before the claim is filed. In monetary disputes, the losing party reimburses part of the costs.
As a guide: contract review and a pre-action notice at fixed rates, disputes hourly or by stage. Before filing you receive a written calculation: the court fee, my fee, and the prospect of recovery from the losing side.
What to prepare for the first consultation
The contract with all annexes, amendments and correspondence about changes
Proof of performance: handover protocols, delivery notes, payments, photos
Correspondence with the other side — e-mails and messenger chats count
A calculation of your claim: amounts, dates, the basis of each item
The other side’s details: company ID or address — for a solvency check
Key terms
Předžalobní výzva
The pre-action notice; without it the court will not award costs even if you win.
Platební rozkaz
The payment order: fast-track recovery of an undisputed debt without hearings — sometimes within weeks.
Promlčení
Limitation — three years as a rule; once it runs out, the claim cannot be defended in court.
Exekuce
Enforcement of a judgment through a bailiff: the debtor’s accounts, assets, wages.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a contract review cost?
It depends on the scope and the risks involved. After a brief look at the document I quote a fixed fee before any work starts — no open-ended billing.
A debtor won't pay. Where do I start?
With a qualified pre-action notice — it is a condition for recovering legal costs and often produces payment by itself. The next step is a lawsuit; undisputed claims may qualify for a fast-track payment order.
What is the limitation period in the Czech Republic?
Three years as a general rule, with different periods for specific claims. Time runs from when you could have learned of your right — so don't delay the first consultation.
I signed a bad contract. Can anything be done?
More often than you'd think: the Code protects against disproportionate penalties, surprising clauses in consumer contracts and abuse of a stronger position. Let's go through the text — grounds often exist to invalidate individual clauses or withdraw.
How long does a civil lawsuit take?
First instance in Prague usually runs from several months to a year and a half, depending on the evidence and the court's docket. A payment order for an undisputed debt is faster — sometimes weeks. I'll give a realistic estimate after seeing the case.
Contact
- Address
- Konviktská 291/24, Staré Město, 110 00 Praha 12 minutes' walk from Národní třída (metro B, trams)
- Phone
- +420 700 000 000
- kancelar@advokatpopov.cz
- Data box
- [data box ID]
- Consultations
- Mon–Fri 9.00–18.00in person, online or by phone — by appointment