The publication Lexology Panoramic Dispute Resolution 2025 Liechtenstein provides a helpful overview of the most important aspects of civil procedure and enforcement law, the measures available for the provisional protection and enforcement of claims, and the enforcement of domestic and foreign civil law titles in relation to assets located in Liechtenstein.
Liechtenstein civil procedure law offers extensive possibilities for provisionally securing civil law claims for payment and other performances, as well as for obtaining a court order for provisional/precautionary measures against domestic and foreign debtors (injunctive relief). Claims secured on this basis can then be enforced through civil proceedings or arbitration. A three-tier court system ensures the quality of court decisions within a reasonable time frame.
In addition to describing the civil court system, the publication deals with security proceedings and the subsequent taking of evidence in the main proceedings, the challenging of court decisions and their enforcement.
Particularly effective are provisional protective measures such as prohibitions on disposal and asset freezes, which prevent the debtor from disposing of assets and thus secure the creditor’s access to these assets. In particular, the compulsory establishment of a priority lien is an option. Particularly noteworthy is the possibility of accessing so-called asset rights, which offer indirect access to assets located in Liechtenstein. Such rights include, in particular, order rights, shareholder rights, mandate rights and instruction rights.
Companies and other legal entities close to the debtor may also be subject to prohibitions on disposal and asset freezes in order to secure access to the assets of companies and other legal entities that are economically attributable to the debtor. In addition, claims may also exist against directors of the companies involved, and liability claims against directors may exist and be used as collateral. The purpose of such measures is to ensure that, in the event of a favourable ruling in the main proceedings, sufficient assets are available in Liechtenstein to which enforcement can be applied.
Furthermore, Liechtenstein law provides for measures to obtain information and the possibility of disclosure proceedings in Liechtenstein. In the context of asset recovery proceedings, foreign enforcement orders can also be recognised and enforced directly or indirectly in Liechtenstein and serve as a basis for the recovery of assets.
The Liechtenstein courts also exercise their international jurisdiction if the only connecting factor for the legal case is the debtor’s assets located in Liechtenstein (asset jurisdiction).
The taking of evidence in the main proceedings, in particular through the submission of documents, the examination of witnesses and the parties, and the obtaining of expert opinions, follows the principles of continental European civil procedure law, while observing the procedural guarantees of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
In some cases the legal assessment may have to be carried out under foreign law. The courts have extensive experience in obtaining legal opinions on foreign law. Compared to other countries, the expected duration of proceedings is short. This also applies to appeals to higher courts for review of lower court decisions.
Niedermüller Attorneys at Law has an experienced team of specialists in dispute resolution and arbitration, led by Managing Partner Dr Matthias Niedermüller M.B.L.-HSG representing clients not only in domestic matters but in particular also in complex multi jurisdiction litigation and arbitration matters.
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