Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Iran
Dear user, I am Khalil Asayesh (Iranian lawyer from the Tehran Bar Association with license number 21129). Thank you for choosing my website to use legal services. This site has been established with the aim of improving the level of legal information, legal advice, and solving issues of domestic and international law.
My specialty is in the field of international companies and contracts. I have experience in advocacy in international arbitration, as well as in enforcing foreign judgments in Iranian courts and courts outside Iran (including Germany, France, Turkey, UAE, and Oman). Therefore, I am ready to provide you with legal services in this regard.
Contact Information
- Iran: 09124439719
- United Arab Emirates (WhatsApp): 00971521583759
Note: We are not responsible during holidays and non-working hours.
Rulings and Documents Applicable by Foreign Countries in Iranian Courts
Article 169
Civil judgments issued by foreign courts are applicable in Iran if they meet the following requirements unless otherwise prescribed by law:
- A decree has been issued from a country where, in accordance with its own laws or treaties, judgments issued by Iranian courts are enforceable or reciprocal.
- The provisions of the ruling are not against public order or good morals.
- Enforcement of the decree is not opposed to international treaties signed by the Iranian government or special laws.
- The judgment issued abroad is final and enforceable and has not lost its validity due to legal reasons.
- No Iranian court has issued a ruling against the foreign court’s judgment.
- The subject matter of the claim under Iranian law is not exclusively under the jurisdiction of Iranian courts.
- Judgments on illegal property located in Iran and its related rights are excluded.
- The order for execution has been issued by the competent authority of the issuing country.
Article 170
The competent court to request enforcement is the court of the defendant’s residence. If the defendant’s residence in Iran is not known, the court of Tehran will have jurisdiction.
Article 171
If treaties and contracts between the Government of Iran and the issuing country provide special arrangements for enforcement, the same arrangements will be applied.
Article 172
The enforcement request shall be made in writing, stating the name of the claimant, the defendant, and other details.
Article 173
The enforcement request must be accompanied by the following documents:
- A copy of the foreign court’s judgment, certified for authenticity by the political or consular officer of the issuing country, with an official Persian translation.
- A copy of the enforcement order issued by the competent authority, with its certified translation.
- Certificates of the Iranian political or consular representative in the issuing country, or the political or consular representative of the issuing country in Iran, confirming the issuance and execution of the judgment.
- Certification of the signature of the foreign political or consular representative residing in Iran by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Article 174
The court office director submits the request and its attachments to the court. The court, in an extraordinary administrative session, reviews the request and either accepts it and issues enforcement or rejects it with reasons.
Article 175
If the application is rejected, the applicant will be notified and may file a complaint within ten days.
Article 176
The appellate court, in an extraordinary administrative session, will review the complaint. If the complaint is accepted, enforcement will be granted; otherwise, the rejection is confirmed. The court’s ruling is final and not subject to appeal.
Article 177
Documents issued abroad are applicable in Iran under the same conditions prescribed for the enforcement of foreign judgments, and must also be certified by the Iranian political or consular representative in the country where the document was issued, confirming conformity with local laws.
Article 178
Foreign judgments and documents are enforced in accordance with civil judgment enforcement provisions.
Article 179
Disputes arising from the enforcement of foreign judgments and documents, as well as issues related to halting or annulling execution, fall under the jurisdiction of Iranian authorities. The competent court is the one specified in Article 170.
Article 180
The Law on the Principles of Legal Trials of 1950 and provisions regarding enforcement in the Expedited Trials Act, along with other conflicting laws, are repealed.
