Russian Enforcement Terms

A Russian judgment turns into money only through enforcement. This glossary covers 25 terms of that stage: IL, pristav, arest, otsenka, torgi and others. The main source is Federal Law No. 229-FZ "On Enforcement Proceedings". Each entry explains what the term means for a creditor or debtor who lives outside Russia.

Attorney Elena Petrova handles enforcement for clients in California who hold Russian judgments or face collection in Russia.

Documents That Start Enforcement

Ispolnitelny list (IL) — the writ of execution issued by the court after the judgment becomes final.
Sudebny prikaz — a court order on an undisputed debt that is enforced without a separate writ.
Ispolnitelnaya nadpis notariusa — a notary's endorsement that allows collection of certain debts without court.
Srok predyavleniya — the period to submit a writ, generally three years from finality.
Dublikat IL — a duplicate issued by the court when the original is lost.

The Bailiff Service and Its Acts

FSSP — the Federal Bailiff Service.
Sudebny pristav-ispolnitel — the bailiff in charge of the file.
Vozbuzhdenie ispolnitelnogo proizvodstva — the opening of enforcement proceedings.
Srok dlya dobrovolnogo ispolneniya — the period for voluntary payment, usually five days from notice.
Ispolnitelsky sbor — an enforcement fee of 7% of the debt, charged to a debtor who ignores that period.

Freezing and Seizing Assets

Arest imushchestva — seizure of property, recorded in an inventory act.
Arest scheta — freezing of bank accounts.
Zapret na registratsionnye deystviya — a ban on registering transfers of real estate or cars.
Obrashchenie vzyskaniya — levying execution on a specific asset.
Uderzhanie iz zarabotnoy platy — deduction from salary or pension, in most cases up to 50%.
Rozysk — a search for the debtor or the assets.

Valuation and Sale

Otsenka — valuation of seized property. Certain assets require an independent appraiser.
Torgi — a public auction run by a state-authorised organiser.
Povtornye torgi — a repeat auction at a reduced price after a failed first round.
Nerealizovannoe imushchestvo — unsold property that the creditor may accept in kind at a discount.

Asset	Typical bailiff action	Point to watch
Bank account	Arest and direct debit	Protected minimum income may apply
Apartment	Zapret, then possible torgi	Sole residence is usually immune
Car	Arest and search	Condition affects the auction price
Salary	Periodic deduction	Limit on the share withheld

Pressure Measures on the Debtor

Vremennoe ogranichenie na vyezd — a temporary ban on leaving Russia when the debt exceeds a statutory threshold.
Ispolnitelsky immunitet — property that cannot be seized, such as a sole home that is not mortgaged.

Closing the File and Challenging the Bailiff

Okonchanie proizvodstva — closing the case after payment or when no assets are found.
Vozvrashchenie IL — return of the writ to the creditor, who can resubmit it later.
Zhaloba na deystviya pristava — a complaint to a senior bailiff or a court against bailiff action or inaction.

Enforcing From California

A creditor abroad does not need to attend in person. A representative with a power of attorney submits the writ, requests asset searches and files complaints about delays. A writ can also go directly to the debtor's bank when the account is known.

Elena Petrova tracks each step of the proceedings and reports to you in English.

The main channel of communication with the attorney is email: attorneypetrova1@gmail.com.