Horizon Law Firm provides specialist debt recovery and commercial enforcement services across Iraq — acting for creditors, international businesses, and law firms seeking to recover outstanding debts, enforce judgments, and protect commercial interests in the Iraqi market.
Recovering commercial debts in Iraq requires more than a legal claim — it requires knowledge of the Iraqi courts system, established relationships with enforcement authorities, and the ability to move quickly before assets are dissipated or transferred.
Horizon Law Firm acts for creditors pursuing outstanding debts from Iraqi companies, government entities, and private individuals. We handle the full recovery process — from pre-action demand and negotiation through to court proceedings, judgment enforcement, and asset seizure — entirely in-house, in Arabic and English, without reliance on agents or third parties.
We also act for international businesses and law firms seeking to enforce foreign court judgments and international arbitral awards in Iraq under the New York Convention and applicable bilateral treaties — a specialist area where procedural knowledge and court relationships are decisive.
In debt recovery, delay costs money. We move quickly — issuing pre-action demands, filing injunctions where assets are at risk, and progressing court proceedings without unnecessary pause. Iraqi courts reward persistence; we provide it.
From first letter of demand to enforcement of judgment and asset seizure — every step is handled by our team directly. No external agents. No referral to third parties. One firm, one point of contact, full accountability.
All pleadings, evidence bundles, and enforcement applications are prepared natively in Arabic — the language of Iraqi courts — while maintaining full English-language reporting to your team throughout the proceedings.
We have specific expertise in enforcing foreign court judgments and international arbitral awards in Iraq — navigating the recognition procedure, satisfying Iraqi public policy requirements, and progressing to enforcement without unnecessary delay.
End-to-end recovery of commercial debts from Iraqi entities — including pre-action demand letters, negotiated settlement, filing of civil claims before Iraqi courts, and progression through judgment to execution and asset recovery.
Recognition and enforcement of foreign court judgments in Iraq under Iraqi Civil Procedure Law and applicable bilateral enforcement treaties. We manage the full exequatur process before Iraqi courts and progress to execution against Iraqi-based assets.
Enforcement of international arbitral awards in Iraq under the New York Convention 1958 and ICSID Convention. We handle the recognition application, satisfy Iraqi public policy requirements, and manage execution proceedings against debtor assets.
Emergency applications for precautionary attachment and asset freezing orders before Iraqi courts where there is a risk of dissipation. We act with urgency to preserve creditor positions while substantive proceedings are commenced or continued.
Recovery of outstanding contractual payments, including unpaid invoices, retention amounts, advance payment recovery, and breach of contract claims — across oil and gas, construction, services, and general commercial contracts governed by Iraqi law.
Acting as Iraqi local counsel for international law firms and creditors pursuing debtors in Iraq — providing on-the-ground enforcement capability, Arabic-language court filings, and structured English-language reporting throughout the recovery process.
Understanding the Iraqi enforcement framework is essential for creditors and their advisers. The process differs materially from common law jurisdictions and requires specific procedural knowledge to navigate effectively.
Commercial debt claims are filed before the Iraqi civil courts — typically the Court of First Instance in the debtor’s jurisdiction. Iraqi courts operate in Arabic; all filings and pleadings must be in Arabic with certified translations of foreign-language documents.
Once judgment is obtained, enforcement proceeds through the Execution Court (Mahkamit al-Tanfeedh). The Execution Court manages asset identification, attachment orders, and the realisation of assets against the judgment debt.
Foreign judgments must be recognised by an Iraqi court before execution can proceed. Iraqi courts apply a reciprocity test and public policy review. Recognition proceedings are filed at the Court of First Instance in Baghdad or the relevant governorate.
Iraq acceded to the New York Convention in 2021. International arbitral awards from Convention member states may now be recognised and enforced in Iraq — a significant development for international creditors with Iraqi debtors.
Iraqi courts can grant precautionary attachment orders to freeze debtor assets pending judgment. These applications are heard urgently and can be obtained before a substantive claim is filed in appropriate circumstances.
Claims against Iraqi government entities involve additional procedural requirements including mandatory pre-action notice periods and routing through State Companies or the relevant ministry. We have experience navigating these requirements and the enforcement limitations that apply.
Debt recovery in Iraq is not simply a legal process — it is a practical exercise that requires physical presence, relationships with court officials, knowledge of debtor behaviour in the Iraqi market, and the ability to apply pressure at the right moments through the right channels.
We are based in Baghdad. We appear in court personally. We file in Arabic natively. We know which courts move quickly and which enforcement mechanisms are most effective for different debtor types. That on-the-ground knowledge is what separates a successful recovery from an outstanding judgment that cannot be enforced.
We act for a wide range of creditors pursuing debts in Iraq — from international businesses owed money by Iraqi counterparties, to law firms seeking local enforcement capability for their clients with Iraqi exposure.
Our clients include creditors whose debtors are Iraqi private companies, state-owned enterprises, government entities, and individuals. We also act as local counsel for international insolvency practitioners and receivers with Iraqi assets or debtors in their estate.
We assess the strength of your claim, the debtor’s profile and known assets in Iraq, and the most effective enforcement route — court proceedings, negotiated settlement, or interim measures first.
We issue formal demand letters in Arabic and English, and conduct pre-action negotiations where appropriate — often securing settlement without the need for litigation, saving time and costs for our clients.
Where settlement is not reached, we file and pursue the claim before the appropriate Iraqi court, attending hearings personally, managing evidence and Arabic-language pleadings, and progressing to judgment efficiently.
On obtaining judgment or recognition of a foreign award, we proceed immediately to enforcement — filing with the Execution Court, identifying and attaching assets, and pursuing recovery until the debt is satisfied.
Whether you have an outstanding commercial debt, a foreign judgment to enforce, or an arbitral award requiring recognition in Iraq — contact us for a direct assessment of your recovery options.