Debt Collection in Kazakhstan

Pre-action demand

Bond Stone prepares and sends a formal pre-action demand notice setting out the debt, the legal basis for the claim, and a deadline for payment — typically 30 days. Where the contract contains a mandatory pre-trial dispute resolution clause, this step is a procedural prerequisite before filing in court. The demand notice also serves as evidence of the creditor's good faith, but it does not stop the limitation period, which filing a claim interrupts (Civil Code, Article 183). Demand notices are sent by registered post and by email to create a documented delivery record.

Court proceedings

For undisputed debts, Bond Stone files a simplified court order application — a faster procedure that avoids a full hearing where the claim is based on clear documentary evidence. For contested or complex claims, a full civil claim is filed before the specialised interdistrict economic court. The state court filing fee on property claims is 3% of the claim value for legal entities (capped at 20,000 monthly calculation indices) and 1% for individuals (capped at 10,000) under Article 665 of the Tax Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan — recoverable from the losing party on a successful judgment. The Civil Procedure Code requires a civil case to be decided within two months after the preparation stage ends, unless the Code sets another period (Art. 183(2), (3)).

Writ of execution & bailiff enforcement

On a successful judgment, the court issues a writ of execution. Bond Stone presents the writ to private or state court bailiffs who levy execution against the debtor's bank accounts, receivables, real property, and participatory interests in Kazakhstani entities. Private bailiffs are paid by the debtor, from 3% to 25% depending on the category of case and the amount recovered, capped at 10,000 MCI, and only on full or partial recovery (Law on Enforcement Proceedings No. 261-IV, Art. 118(1), (2)). Bond Stone monitors execution, coordinates with bailiffs, and manages interim protective measures — including account freezing applications — where assets may be at risk of dissipation before judgment.

Bankruptcy proceedings — personal liability track

Where the debtor has no recoverable assets, bankruptcy proceedings open a further recovery track. Founders and officers found guilty of deliberate bankruptcy in administrative or criminal proceedings bear subsidiary liability to creditors (Law on Rehabilitation and Bankruptcy, Art. 6). Bankruptcy proceedings can be initiated where the creditor holds an unenforced court judgment or writ of execution, or where the debtor has acknowledged the debt in writing — including in a bilateral reconciliation statement, a response to a claim, or a guarantee letter.