Meaning
Legal instrument issued by a court or tax authority to seize property in satisfaction of a debt or tax arrears. The distraint order functions as a direct command to law enforcement or administrative officers to take possession of assets. It is used when a party fails to comply with a previous demand for payment within a specified grace period.
The document must list the specific amount owed and the legal basis for the seizure. It applies to both movable property like inventory and immovable property like factory buildings. Documentation of the debt must be absolute before the order is signed.
Statutory Basis
Issuance of the document follows the Law on the Administration of Tax Collection or the Civil Procedure Law. A distraint order becomes valid only after the debtor has been formally notified and has failed to settle the liability. Tax bureaus can issue these without a court warrant for unpaid tax debts.
The reach of the order is strictly limited to the value necessary to cover the debt and associated enforcement fees.
Execution Chain
Officers arriving at a site must present the paperwork and an official identification before commencing the take. This distraint order requires the presence of the owner or a witness to ensure the inventory of seized items is accurate. Items are then placed under seal or moved to a secure warehouse.
If the debtor pays the full amount immediately, the execution is halted.
Asset Liquidation
Unresolved debts lead to the sale of the seized goods through a public bidding process or judicial auction. The proceeds from the distraint order are first used to pay the costs of the execution and then the underlying debt. This process provides a final remedy for the creditor.