Enforcement of a judgment: first steps for the debtor

Once a creditor obtains a judgment in Cyprus, the Civil Procedure Law allows enforcement of that judgment debt through methods such as a writ of execution against movable or immovable property, attachment of funds and other court orders. As a debtor you still have rights: you can seek time to pay, apply for instalments, or challenge irregular enforcement. Acting early gives you the most options.

✅ What to do

1. Confirm the judgment exists and check the exact sum, including interest and costs.
2. If you were never properly served with the original claim, take advice on applying to set the judgment aside.
3. Apply to the court for payment by instalments if you cannot pay the full amount at once.
4. Identify which assets are exposed (bank accounts, salary, movable property, immovable property) and act before enforcement escalates.
5. Keep proof of every payment you make against the judgment.
6. Get legal advice promptly if a writ of execution or charging order is threatened against your property.

⚠️ What to watch out for

• A judgment debt can be enforced against wages, bank accounts and both movable and immovable property.
• Interest and enforcement costs increase the total you owe over time.
• Ignoring enforcement steps removes your chance to agree instalments or protect essential assets.
• Deadlines to apply to set aside a default judgment are short.

⚖️ Legal basis

❓ Frequently asked questions