Customer Bankruptcy in Russia: Payment for Works and Contractor Claims

29.08.2026

Short answerA customer’s bankruptcy does not relieve the contractor from proving scope, quality and delivery. Pre-filing performance and later works may be paid under different rules. Before incurring further cost, check the procedure, funding, signatory authority and ownership of materials at the site.

Result completed

Send the acceptance record and delivery evidence even if the customer refuses to sign.

Works continuing

Do not increase exposure without written funding and authority confirmation.

Materials on site

Record ownership, quantity, condition and access.

Separating contractor claims

Situation	Claim	Evidence
Works delivered before filing	Contract debt and permitted remedies	Contract, estimate, records, correspondence and due date
Customer avoids acceptance	Payment for proven delivery without justified defects	Readiness notice, unilateral record, photographs and log
Post-filing works	Potential current-claim treatment	Obligation date, instruction and actual period
Contractor materials remain on site	Recovery of property or another fact-specific claim	Invoices, labels, inventory and title

A unilateral acceptance record is not an automatic payment guarantee. It assists when the contractor followed the delivery procedure and enabled inspection.

Contractor workflow

Record the stage

Prepare completion records, photographs, logs and a material inventory.

Deliver the result

Send the record, invoice and inspection invitation under the contract.

Check the case

Identify the filing date, procedure, manager and restrictions.

Separate and file

Do not combine old work, new periods, retention, materials and penalties.

Whether to continue work

obtain written confirmation of scope and budget;
verify the person issuing instructions;
agree staged acceptance and payment;
do not self-finance based only on a future-payment promise;
inventory materials and equipment;
record safe conservation if work stops.

Intent boundary

Bankrupt party	Perspective	Guide
Customer	Contractor or provider claims payment	This guide
Construction contractor	Customer seeks performance or refund	Contractor-company bankruptcy guide

FAQ

Will a signed acceptance record be paid?

It is important but not conclusive. Payment depends on claim classification, priority and available funds.

What if the customer refuses to sign?

Follow the delivery procedure, document readiness and objections, and issue a unilateral record where legally supported.

May works be suspended?

Suspension or withdrawal depends on the contract, breach and Civil Code Articles 717 and 719, including site-safety consequences.

Are all new works current claims?

No. Classification depends on when the monetary obligation arose and the substance of performance.

Official sources

Need to separate works, materials and claims by date?

Initial consultation