Our services that we provide

Published: April 10, 2026
shutterstock 2638695281

Due to the globalization of the economy and other aspects, the use of arbitration has increased significantly worldwide. Besides, the country in question has become an active member of the multiplication of agreements on which the nuances of the process are based.

Therefore, from a formalistic point of view, regional legislation sets out clearly the steps required to have the benefits of arbitration rulings sealed in Romania, whereas the local law places harsh restrictions on the parties’ right to appeal in substance the arbitral award.

The article provides the necessary information on this matter, including the explanation of why using services of Eli Lithuania is advisable.

Legal Structure and Principles

  • The country has ratified the New York Convention back in 1961, thereby pledging itself to accept awards made abroad only under very limited conditions. The national provisions specify what is a foreign arbitral award and what are the procedures to be followed in order to give it domestic validity.
  • Any tribunal ruling which is made outside the country being discussed and is not the result of the country’s court will be regarded as a foreign award. For such decisions to have the force of law here, the legal substance of the dispute must be capable of private resolution, and the ruling’s substance must not be inconsistent with the essential regulations of the country in question.
  • The parties must submit the original award and the arbitration agreement that started the proceedings, translated into the local language and approved if necessary.
  • The domestic magisterial administrations will verify whether the prerequisites for the execution of the verdict are satisfied, including the mandate that the award must be definitive and irrevocable in the territory where it was made.

Conditions for Activating a Foreign Decision

The country’s regulations not only generally conform to the structure of the global treaty mentioned before but also emphasize technical and substantive clarity in their decision-making processes rather than re-examining the award’s merit. Major preconditions:

  • The award must have been made outside the nation and must not be attributable to the local internal law;
  • The core substance that the ruling grapples alongside must be a matter that is eligible of being submitted to adjudication under the regional legislation;
  • The award should be definitive and irrevocable at the jurisdiction where it was formulated, and must not have been aside or suspended;
  • The content should not be in conflict with fundamental rules or mandatory legal provisions regarding that sovereign;
  • The contract or agreement that led to arbitration should meet the formal and substantive requirements.

Once the above conditions are met, the country’s officials conduct the procedure being discussed.

Circumstances for Refusal

Although local legislation supports the framework generally, it also lists a few limited cases in which the court will not recognize or give effect to the award made abroad:

  • if the contract under which the process was initiated is deemed invalid according to the Romanian law, then the court may put forward a rejection;
  • it is possible that the award is refused if due notice was not given to the other participants of the dispute or they were denied the chance to present their case;
  • if a tribunal ruling is based on issues that were not within its original scope of authority, the enforcement may be limited to the matters covered;
  • judgment that has been sat aside or is subject to annulment may not be enforceable;
  • if the award is against the main principles or legal constraints imposed by local laws, effect may be refused.

These grounds are interpreted narrowly, as local judicial bodies typically uphold awards made abroad in accordance with the global treaty mentioned before.

Practical Steps and Strategy

  • The first step is to submit the foreign judgment together with the initiating document, proof of the decision being final, and a translation in Romanian if necessary;
  • The relevant authorities check whether the formal and material conditions are fulfilled. In case the decision is confirmed, it will have the same effect as a ruling of a domestic court and therefore, one may take recovery measures such as seizure of the property or wage garnishment;
  • On occasions, the opposing parties contest the procedural aspects or refer to the exceptions mentioned above. Nevertheless, since these exceptions are interpreted very restrictively, the authorities, as a rule, lean towards enforcing awards provided that the formalities are well-kept.
  • Since strategy matters very much: good delivery, evidence of legitimacy, and taking care of procedural details can make a very big difference in the end.

Overview

AspectKey PointsPractical Notes
Origin of awardMust be issued outside RomaniaDomestic rulings are handled differently
Type of DisputeMatters that Romanian law allows arbitration to resolveCommercial disputes are usually acceptable
FinalityMust be conclusive in the country of originPending annulment may prevent domestic effect
Agreement ValidityInitiating contract or clause must meet legal standardsInvalid agreements can block activation
Procedural FairnessParties must have proper notice and opportunity to present argumentsEnsures procedural balance
Scope of the Judicial BodyTribunal cannot exceed authority granted in the agreementOnly authorized issues are pursued
Alignment with Local NormsAward must not contradict essential domestic rulesExceptions are applied narrowly
Activation StepsFiling with local authorities, translations, proof of finalityProper preparation improves success
Possible Triggers for DenialDefective agreement, procedural imbalance, overreach, non-finality, conflict with normsAuthorities apply these sparingly

Assistance from Eli Lithuania

Being aware of Romanian laws on the procedure in question may be difficult. Eli Lithuania offers expert assistance at every step of the way. We do the following:

  • evaluating whether an award abuses by the preconditions for the procedure under regional law and applicable global standards;
  • preparing and filing the necessary application before the competent court;
  • reviewing and organizing supporting materials;
  • coordinating procedural steps in cooperation with local legal professionals when necessary;
  • advising on enforcement strategy, timing, and potential procedural risks.

With our knowledge and expertise, we help clients in overcoming legal system barriers, making sure that every step is conducted according to the requirements of local authorities. Besides that, we offer you strategic advice in consideration of possible delays or complications. Thus, your case is not only handled smoothly but also better chances of recovery are achieved.

Conclusion

Romania’s framework for authorizing foreign awards weighs the need to respect other legal systems with safeguards to protect essential domestic standards. By adhering to procedural clarity and meeting the listed prerequisites, parties can achieve tangible outcomes against assets within the country in question. Expert guidance, careful preparation, and awareness of local interpretations greatly enhance the likelihood of a smooth and effective process.

FAQ

Can any foreign arbitration award be recognized in Romania?

Only those rulings that relate to disputes which could be arbitrated and are conclusive in their territory of provenance can be enforced. Conversely, domestic decisions are handled differently.

What if the initial agreement is defective?

If the compact or adjudicative provision at the foundation of the dispute be considered illegal according to the law stipulated in it or the Romanian legislation, authorities may turn down the enforcement of the ruling.

Could the enforcement of an award lead to its being contested?

It is mainly possible on a few grounds, such as the arbitral process being unfair, arbitrators going beyond their powers, the award not being final, or the award representing antithetical toward that governmental doctrine in the nation.

Are translations required?

Yes, any ruling or agreement not in the language of the nation must be accurately translated by a certified translator to satisfy procedural expectations.

Table of content

Related insights

Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards in Moldova

Moldova remains one of jurisdictions in Eastern Europe where the mechanism for recognising foreign arbitral awards is formally considered to be fairly predictable; however, in practice, much depends on the quality of the documentation, the soundness of the procedural strategy and an understanding of local case law. ELI Lithuania handles international disputes, corporate projects and...

Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards in Slovakia

For a long time, cross-border commercial arbitration has served as a widely used method for resolving conflicts between parties located in different states. For firms, what truly counts is not only the arbitration process itself, but also whether they can successfully collect money or enforce decisions in a foreign adjudicative authority. In Slovakia, this system...

Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards in Serbia

Over the past few years, there has been a continuous rise in attention from the global business community toward Serbia’s legal system. This is caused by both Serbia’s strategic position and its legal framework, which is mostly harmonized with European norms. For businesses working across national borders, the process of recognizing and enforcing foreign arbitration...

Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards in Slovenia

In international business dealings, arbitration has for a long time been a common and widely accepted method for resolving conflicts. Firms working across European markets often do not just need to secure an arbitration decision; they also have to make sure that this decision can actually be carried out in a different legal system. In...

Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards in Poland

Trade disputes involving parties from different countries are quite often resolved by arbitration rather than through local courts. However, a ruling from a foreign tribunal does little use unless it can be acknowledged and implemented in another country. Poland has developed a formal and generally favourable system for this process. Knowing how this system works...

Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards in Czech Republic

To resolve disputes related to agreements signed internationally, working out a system where an arbitral award from one country automatically gains formal acknowledgement in another is a primary means. For companies taking up business inside and outside the Czech Republic, being able to implement an award made abroad as if it was a domestic one...

Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards in Romania

Due to the globalization of the economy and other aspects, the use of arbitration has increased significantly worldwide. Besides, the country in question has become an active member of the multiplication of agreements on which the nuances of the process are based. Therefore, from a formalistic point of view, regional legislation sets out clearly the...

Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards in Latvia

When businesses from different countries work together, disputes can sometimes arise. Often, these disagreements are resolved outside of the usual state courts – through arbitration or other private mechanisms. But what matters the most is the question whether an arbitral award made in another country can have an effect in another. Latvia has put forward...
Prev
Next

Feel free to contact us

Send your request for any info:

Frequently asked questions

  • To incorporate a company in any jurisdiction, please contact our specialist, we’ll send you all relevant information.

  • You can find prices for company incorporation in Prices section, to get price for other services please contact our specialist via e-mail or contact form.

  • To obtain the new license, please contact our specialist, we’ll send you requirements and list of documents needed for the procedure.

  • We have wide range of ready-made companies available, to get details about specific company, please contact our specialist.