Introduction: Interim Measures and Claim Security
Freezing (placing a seizure on) bank accounts represents one of the most effective and immediate measures for securing a claim. Unlike the seizure during the forced enforcement stage, a seizure as an interim measure is executed before the commencement of a court dispute or while the dispute is ongoing. When a plaintiff (creditor) has a substantiated assumption that the defendant (debtor) will hide funds or empty their bank accounts before the conclusion of the court process, they apply to the court requesting the freezing of the accounts. Based on the judge's ruling, the funds on the defendant's accounts are frozen within the limits of the disputed amount (the claimed sum). This mechanism protects the plaintiff from the risk that, after winning a years-long court battle, the defendant will have no money left to execute the decision. On the other hand, unfreezing (releasing) accounts from an illegal or disproportionate seizure is vitally important for the defendant to prevent the paralyzation of their business or daily life.
The legal service covers two opposing processes: protecting the plaintiff's interests (freezing accounts) and defending the defendant's rights (unfreezing accounts). In the first case, the lawyer prepares a substantiated motion for the court, proving that without a freeze, the execution of the decision will become impossible. Upon receiving the court's ruling, the lawyer monitors its immediate execution through the banks. In the second case (from the debtor's perspective), the service includes appealing the court's ruling to demand the lifting of the freeze. The lawyer proves that the freeze was applied in violation of the law (e.g., on social or salary income) or that it is disproportionate. The service also anticipates requesting a modification of the interim measure—for example, replacing the freeze on bank accounts with a freeze on real estate, so the company can continue financial operations and avoid bankruptcy.