Civil matters we handle in Ibiza
| Matter | Typical situation |
|---|---|
| Contracts | Drafting, review and breach of contracts of all kinds |
| Debt claims | Unpaid invoices, loans and amounts owed by clients or partners |
| Builders and services | Defective or unfinished works, overcharging, delays |
| Damages | Water leaks, neighbour damage, accidents and liability |
| Property disputes | Deposits, defects, boundaries, communities. See property disputes |
| Leases | Unpaid rent, evictions, deposits. See landlord and tenant |
How we approach a civil dispute
- Assessment: contracts, messages, invoices and photos, and a written view of your position, your options and the deadlines.
- Formal demand: a burofax that sets out the claim and gives a deadline to pay or comply.
- Negotiation or mediation when it serves your interests.
- Court proceedings before the courts in Ibiza, with a clear estimate of cost and timing.
- Enforcement: collecting what the court awards, including seizing assets.
Debt claims
For documented debts, Spanish law offers fast procedures such as the payment order (proceso monitorio), which can lead to enforcement if the debtor does not respond. For international debtors within the EU there are also European procedures. We choose the route that gives the best chance of being paid.
Claims against builders
Construction and renovation disputes are frequent in Ibiza. With an architect's report, we claim for defects, unfinished works or overcharging, and we review contracts before works start to avoid problems. See also planning lawyer in Ibiza.
Courts and languages
Proceedings are in Spanish before the courts in Ibiza. We explain each step in your language and arrange sworn translations where needed. Ibiza.law is the Ibiza practice of Castell.law.
An illustrative example
Based on situations we commonly see; not a specific client. A German owner paid a local builder in advance for the renovation of a house in Sant Carles. The works stopped half-way and the builder stopped answering. We sent a formal demand, obtained an architect's report on the unfinished and defective works and filed a claim. Faced with the evidence, the builder agreed to return part of the advance and pay for the repairs, and the agreement was approved by the court.
Before you sign or pay, ask a lawyer
Send us the document, the listing or a short summary of the problem. A lawyer will tell you what matters, what it could cost you and what to do next.
Questions about civil claims in Ibiza
How long does a civil case take in Ibiza?
It depends on the procedure and the court's workload, from a few months for a payment order to a year or more for contested claims.
Can I recover my legal costs?
If you win, the court usually orders the other side to pay costs, within legal limits. Collecting them depends on the other side's assets.
Do I need to come to Ibiza for the trial?
Often not for the whole case, but your presence may be needed if you must give evidence.
Can you claim against someone who lives abroad?
Yes, and within the EU there are procedures to recognise and enforce Spanish judgments.