A foreign creditor pursuing an individual debtor through a Russian court of general jurisdiction may apply for interim relief at any stage of the proceedings — including simultaneously with filing the statement of claim. Russian courts assess such applications ex parte and are required to rule on them, as a general rule, on the day they are received, without notifying the debtor in advance. The measures available against individual debtors include the freezing of bank accounts, the arrest of movable and immovable property, a prohibition on the debtor concluding transactions affecting specific assets, and — in cases meeting the applicable threshold — a travel restriction preventing the debtor from leaving the Russian Federation.
Procedurally, the application must be accompanied by the statement of claim (or filed together with it) and supported by evidence that, absent the measures, enforcement of a future judgment would be impossible or materially more difficult. The court is not required to hear oral submissions before granting relief; the written record governs. If the application is granted, the court issues a ruling that is immediately enforceable: the creditor receives a writ of execution and transmits it to the Federal Bailiff Service (FSSP), which registers and enforces the freeze on the same day or the next working day in standard cases.
For a foreign creditor, the practical implications are significant. The window between filing and the debtor's discovery of the freeze is narrow — often a matter of hours — which is precisely the feature that makes interim relief applications in Russian courts against individual debtors a useful tool in cross-border asset recovery. Any delay in submitting a complete application package, however, risks alerting the debtor through ancillary proceedings before the arrest is in place.
To discuss the procedural requirements in your specific matter, make an enquiry: info@vetrovpartners.com | WhatsApp / Telegram: +7 (983) 510-38-76
For broader context on interim relief strategy, see Court practice shift on interim relief applications and Key risk points in interim relief applications. The firm's Asset Tracing & Recovery practice page sets out the full range of enforcement tools available to foreign creditors in Russia.
— Elizaveta Razina Senior Lawyer, Practice Lead — IP Enforcement, Vetrov & Partners vetrovpartners.com/razina/
Elizaveta Razina leads the firm's intellectual property practice, representing foreign trademark owners in infringement proceedings before Russian state courts and the IP Court. She has been with the firm since 2012 and holds a degree from Novosibirsk State University (2013).
About Vetrov & Partners Vetrov & Partners is a Russian boutique law firm established in 2009, recognised by Pravo-300 for eight consecutive years. The firm advises foreign creditors on asset tracing, interim relief, and enforcement in Russian courts. Enquiries: info@vetrovpartners.com | WhatsApp / Telegram: +7 (983) 510-38-76 | t.me/vitvetcom
This publication is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice under Russian or any other applicable law. The information herein should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional legal counsel tailored to your specific circumstances. Vetrov & Partners is a Russian-qualified law firm. For matters governed by foreign law or requiring local admission in another jurisdiction, we collaborate with trusted counsel in the relevant jurisdiction. For advice regarding your particular situation, please contact info@vetrovpartners.com.