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Table of contents

Introduction

The current business environment relies on effective debt management and collection, which are crucial for maintaining the financial stability of enterprises. A legal instrument, the payment demand, plays a fundamental role in the debt recovery process. Considering the current legal framework, this article discusses essential aspects related to payment demands in Poland.

Payment Demand – Definition and Overview

A payment demand is a written request by a creditor directed at a debtor to settle an overdue amount within a specified timeframe. It serves as a fundamental step to prompt the fulfillment of an obligation, thereby avoiding more complex and costly legal proceedings. The payment demand also serves as informative communication for the debtor, representing an amicable approach to debt recovery. Generally, a payment demand is issued when an obligation is not met within the designated time (e.g., failure to pay an invoice, loan installment, or rent).

Forms of Payment Demands

Since a payment demand is an extrajudicial debt recovery measure, no predefined format is stipulated by regulations. However, it is essential to acknowledge that any debtor prompt must have confirmation. Thus, in practice, reminders are usually sent in paper form (traditional) or electronically (e.g., email correspondence).

Based on professional and practical experience, creditors’ most commonly chosen method is sending registered letters, providing direct tracking until the delivery through postal operator systems.

In the business realm, Polish legislation also recognizes invoices as a valid form of payment demand if they include appropriate annotations regarding the payment deadline and method.

Formal Requirements – Contents of a Payment Demand

A payment demand must fulfill certain formal requirements to be effective and legally binding. The payment demand should primarily contain the following information:

  • Date and place of issuance;
  • Creditor and debtor details – the demand must include complete information about both the creditor and debtor, including names, addresses, and identification numbers relevant to the case;
  • Basis of the claim/debt specification – the demand should clearly indicate the exact amount of the claim, along with an explanation of the basis and justification for the debt;
  • Payment deadline – the demand must specify a clear deadline by which the debtor is required to settle the outstanding amount. Typically, this ranges from 3 to 7 days, though more extended periods like 14 days from receiving the demand can occur;
  • Information about legal consequences for non-payment – the creditor should inform the debtor about the repercussions of failing to pay within the specified timeframe, including the possibility of further legal actions that may lead to higher costs;
  • Creditor’s signature – it is important to note that the payment demand should be signed by the creditor or a person authorized to represent them (e.g., a professional attorney).

Scope of Payment Demands

Payment demands cover a wide range of areas, obligations, or transactions where the creditor seeks amicable recovery of owed amounts or performance of obligations. Examples of areas covered by payment demands include:

  • Services and goods supply;
  • Lease, tenancy, loans, credit agreements;
  • Outstanding transaction fees;
  • Civil law obligations;
  • Unsettled claims.

The goal of a payment demand is not only to recover overdue funds but also to avoid additional costs associated with legal proceedings.

Procedural Steps – Step by Step

The pre-litigation payment demand procedure in Poland aims to enable the effective recovery of outstanding amounts from debtors without involving the court. The general procedure involves the following steps:

  1. Preparing the payment demand: The initial step is preparing a formal payment demand. As mentioned earlier, the demand must include various detailed information, creditor and debtor details, debt amount, and consequences for non-payment.
  2. Sending the final pre-litigation payment demand: The next step is sending the formal demand to the debtor’s address. It is crucial to maintain proof of dispatch, enabling direct tracking of the demand. This evidence will confirm the attempt at amicable resolution in case of further dispute.
  3. Payment deadline: Typically ranging from 3 to 7 days, though occasionally longer, e.g., 14 days from the demand’s receipt. This timeframe can be set at the creditor’s discretion, but initiating a court proceeding should be avoided until after the deadline’s expiration.
  4. Legal proceedings: Sending a payment demand does not always conclude the debt recovery process. If the debtor does not respond to the payment demand, the creditor has the option to initiate a legal proceeding to recover the debt. In such cases, the payment demand becomes a significant piece of evidence, demonstrating the creditor’s attempt to amicably resolve the matter before resorting to litigation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is important to emphasize that the debt recovery procedure is a dynamic process, allowing the creditor to attempt an amicable resolution before resorting to court proceedings. A professionally prepared and dispatched payment demand can serve as a determining factor in concluding pre-litigation disputes and avoiding the additional costs associated with legal proceedings.