Debt Recovery in Egypt
Demand letters and negotiated recovery of commercial debts in Egypt, handled from our Cairo branch.
Debt Recovery in Egypt
Our Cairo branch handles the pre-litigation stage of commercial debt recovery in Egypt: reviewing the claim and its evidence, sending formal demands, and negotiating payment or a written settlement with the debtor. The aim is to recover the debt, or to bring the claim into the right shape for court if negotiation fails.
How a debt claim is built in Egypt
A claim starts with proof: the contract or purchase order, invoices, delivery or acceptance records, account statements, cheques or promissory notes, and correspondence in which the debtor acknowledges the debt. Formal notices in Egypt are served through court bailiffs under the Civil and Commercial Procedures Law (Law No. 13 of 1968). The same law provides a payment order procedure (from Article 201) for a debt that is a fixed sum, due and evidenced in writing, and the creditor is expected to have demanded payment from the debtor first. Cheques and promissory notes are governed by the Commercial Law (Law No. 17 of 1999).
Demand letters and negotiation
A demand letter should state the amount, its basis, any interest or charges claimed and a clear deadline, and it should be sent in a form that can be proved later. With the client we decide whether to serve it through a bailiff, whether to open settlement talks at the same time, and what a settlement must contain: the amount, a payment schedule, security where available, and the consequence of default. If the debtor does not engage, the file is already organized for the court route, including the payment order where it fits. We give no promise on outcome or timing, which depend on the debtor and the evidence. Where the debtor is a company, we also check its registered details before serving, so that the notice reaches the right entity. See dispute resolution for litigation, or contact our team.
MENA coordination
The firm was founded in Kuwait in 1986 and has a branch in Cairo. It covers MENA matters in cooperation with partner offices in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman, and partner offices in Turkey and the United States. Those partner offices are not branches owned by the firm; local licensing and advice are assessed in the relevant jurisdiction.
This page is general information, not advice for a particular entity or transaction.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to demand payment before applying for a payment order in Egypt?
Yes. Under the payment order procedure in the Civil and Commercial Procedures Law (Law No. 13 of 1968), the creditor first demands payment from the debtor and then applies to the court. We prepare and serve that demand.
Which documents do I need to start a recovery?
The contract or order, invoices, proof of delivery or performance, statements of account, any cheques or notes, and the correspondence about the debt. A gap in the evidence changes the route, so we review it first.
Does the firm handle Egyptian debt recovery directly?
Yes, through its Cairo branch. This page covers the pre-litigation stage: demand letters and negotiation. Court proceedings, if needed, are assessed separately.
Other markets
Company Formation in EgyptCorporate & Commercial Law in EgyptDebt Recovery in Kuwait