Accounts receivable arise when a business has performed, delivered goods, advanced funds or otherwise acquired a payment claim that has not been paid. Recovery is not a single standard action: the right route depends on the agreement, the debtor, the evidence and the procedural rules that apply to the dispute.
Short answer. First identify the legal basis and amount of the receivable, preserve the documents, and check the contract for notice and dispute-resolution clauses. A demand letter, a negotiated payment plan, a court claim and enforcement are different tools; the appropriate sequence depends on the case.
What to check before pursuing a receivable
Do not start with the amount alone. A commercial claim needs a clear document trail showing how the obligation arose and when payment became due. The party named in negotiations may differ from the legal debtor shown in the contract or invoices.
| Check | Practical purpose |
|---|---|
| Agreement and amendments | Identify the parties, payment terms, notice clause and any dispute-resolution provision. |
| Performance documents | Confirm delivery, acceptance of work or services, or another event that made payment due. |
| Payment history | Separate the outstanding balance from payments, credits, set-offs or disputed items. |
| Correspondence | May show recognition of debt, objections, requests for time or agreed payment arrangements. |
| Debtor’s status | Check the company details, court cases and insolvency information before selecting a route. |
Pre-trial recovery and a demand letter
A properly prepared demand can set out the claim, calculation and supporting documents and invite payment or a structured settlement. It also helps preserve a coherent record. Whether a pre-trial procedure is mandatory, how it must be sent and what period applies depend on the specific claim, current law and the contract. It should not be treated as a copy-and-paste formality.
Before sending a notice, check whether the address and delivery method comply with the agreement and whether another form of communication has been agreed. Keep evidence of sending and delivery where it matters.
When court recovery may be necessary
If negotiations do not resolve the claim, the creditor may need a court claim. Russian arbitration courts hear economic disputes and other cases connected with entrepreneurial or economic activity, but jurisdiction is determined by the procedural rules and the facts of the particular dispute. A claim should be supported by the agreement, performance records, calculation, correspondence and proof of any required pre-trial step.
The court does not collect money automatically after a judgment. Once a judicial act becomes enforceable, recovery may require an enforcement document and interaction with enforcement authorities or the debtor’s bank, depending on the circumstances.
Monitor the debtor and the case
Commercial recovery often changes when the debtor is reorganised, enters insolvency proceedings or already has other cases. The Arbitration Case File can help monitor publicly available case information. It is an information tool, not a substitute for reading the case documents or assessing deadlines in a particular matter.
Common avoidable mistakes
- Calculating the balance without reconciling payments and supporting documents.
- Addressing a demand to a trade name instead of the legal debtor.
- Ignoring a contractual notice clause or the current procedural requirement.
- Filing in a court without checking jurisdiction.
- Waiting until enforcement to investigate the debtor’s financial position.
Official sources
- Arbitration Procedure Code of the Russian Federation — current procedural rules for arbitration courts.
- Federal arbitration courts’ information systems — official information on court services.
- Arbitration Case File — publicly available case and procedural information.
Need to assess a commercial receivable? A preliminary review can clarify the documentary basis, the procedural route and the main recovery risks before a claim is filed.