Recognition of Foreign Judgments in Liechtenstein

There is a specific legislation that regulates the recognition of foreign judgments in Liechtenstein. If you conduct a business activity in this country and you want to have a particular foreign decision recognized and implemented, you must see the conditions imposed by the local government. Our law firm in Liechtenstein is a place you can address in order to obtain information on the specific legislation and a place where you can find legal personalized legal advice regarding the recognition of foreign judgements in Liechtenstein. 

Liechtenstein legislation for the recognition of foreign judgments 

The provisions which regulate the recognition of foreign judgments in Liechtenstein differ depending on the country of origin where the decision has been taken by a local court. The main law which deals with this issue is the Liechtenstein Enforcement Act of 24 November 1971. This law stipulates the conditions in which a foreign judgement can be recognized in this country without further trials in a Liechtenstein court.

One of the main constraints imposed by the Enforcement Act is reciprocity, which means that the recognition can take place only if there is a mutual agreement between the two states, recorded in a treaty. In this sense, the countries with which such a treaty is in force are only Switzerland and Austria – Liechtenstein is not a party to the Lugano Convention, which links the EU and the other members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)

Our Liechtenstein lawyers can help you in the eventuality of a legal procedure which aims at the recognition of foreign judgements in Liechtenstein. 

Legal procedure for the recognition of foreign judgments in Liechtenstein 

The enforcement of a foreign decision in Liechtenstein is not directly possible outside the treaties; instead, the creditor applies to the Liechtenstein court for a payment order (Zahlungsbefehl), and the foreign judgment then serves as a public deed. If the debtor objects to the payment order, you can initiate a Reinstitution Procedure (Rechtsöffnungsverfahren). The legal basis for the beginning of a Reinstitution procedure is the Act on the Protection of Rights issued on the 9th of February 1923 (Rechtssicherungsordnung, “RSO”). 

The foreign judgements concerning Family Law do not require reciprocity in order to be recognized. Issues such as civil status are immediately registered in the Liechtenstein Register and considered legally valid. 

In any situation in which you might need further legal counseling in questions regarding the Liechtenstein legislation, you can rely on our team of attorneys in this country. Please contact our law firm in Liechtenstein if you need help with the recognition of foreign judgements in this country.