Debt collection and disputes

If a customer does not pay, first send a written notice of default; statutory interest runs from the moment of default. If that does not work, have the customer summoned by a bailiff before the cantonal court; small claims up to SRD 20,000 or USD 2,500 go through the faster Small Commercial Roll. Since 1 May 2025 the new Civil Code and Code of Civil Procedure apply: an invoice claim becomes time-barred after five years, and since 2023 arbitral awards are enforceable internationally under the New York Convention.

On this page (15)

• Which route when
• Prevention is cheaper
• Reminders, notices and default
• Statutory interest, collection costs and currency
• Limitation periods under the new Civil Code
• Collection agencies and bailiffs
• Going to the cantonal court
• Attachment and enforcement
• Arbitration, binding advice and mediation
• When the government does not pay
• Employment disputes and consumer complaints
• Checklist: an unpaid invoice
• What if...
• Sources
• Frequently asked questions

Which route when

Situation	Route	Who does it	Note
Customer is late, the debt itself is not disputed	Reminder, then notice of default and a payment plan	You	In writing; it also interrupts limitation
Small claim, up to SRD 20,000 or USD/EUR 2,500	Small Commercial Roll at the cantonal court	You, an authorised person or a bailiff	Fast and simple, also for rent and employment cases
Larger or complex claim	Large Commercial Roll at the cantonal court	Preferably a lawyer	Takes longer; prepare your evidence well
Risk that the debtor makes assets or balances disappear	Prejudgment attachment with leave of the cantonal court	Lawyer and bailiff	Start the main case within the set period; you can be liable if the attachment proves wrongful
Urgent: stop an auction, delivery or eviction	Summary proceedings (kort geding)	Lawyer	Only a provisional measure; not for complex cases
Contract with an arbitration clause, or a foreign partner	Arbitration, for example at the SAI	Parties and arbitrators	Award enforceable in New York Convention states
You want to keep the customer or partner	Mediation	Independent mediator	Voluntary and confidential
Technical question: quality, measurement, value	Binding advice by an expert	Agreed expert or the SAI	Interrupts limitation if announced in time
Conflict with an employee	Cantonal court (employment cases)	You, an authorised person or a lawyer	See Dismissal and notice
The government does not pay	Written reminders, talks with the ministry, court as a last step	You, a lawyer if needed	Limited options to attach State assets

Prevention is cheaper

• Written agreements: price, delivery, payment term, interest for late payment and who bears which costs. Create a quote with the Quote generator and have it signed or confirmed by email.
• General terms only apply if you expressly declare them applicable and the customer could read them in advance, for example as an attachment to the quote. Towards consumers some clauses are always unreasonably onerous (article 236 of Book 6) and others presumed to be (article 237). More on the new Civil Code: New Civil Code.
• Agree your own interest rate: an agreed rate higher than the statutory rate continues after default (article 119(3) of Book 6).
• Currency: if you really want to be paid in USD or EUR, write in the contract that the customer must pay "effectively" in that currency. Without that term a debtor may pay in Surinamese money (article 121 of Book 6).
• Deposit and security from new or large customers: advance payment through a Proforma invoice, a bank guarantee or a guarantor.
• Know your customer: ask for the KKF extract, check who may sign, and whether the legal form carries liability. See Business directory.
• Invoice straight away and follow up: see Accepting payments and track receivables with the Unpaid invoices tracker.

Reminders, notices and default

Under the new Civil Code (Book 6, articles 81 to 83) a debtor is in default if they do not pay after the claim has fallen due and one of these conditions is met:

• an agreed payment term has passed: default then applies without a reminder, unless the term had another purpose;
• you sent a written notice of default with a reasonable deadline, and they do not pay within it;
• the customer has said they will not pay; then a reminder is not needed.

1. Friendly reminder a few days after the due date, with a copy of the invoice. Use the Payment reminder.
2. Call or WhatsApp: ask what is going on. A written payment plan is often faster than a lawsuit.
3. Notice of default: a letter or email stating the amount, the invoice, a concrete final deadline (for example 14 days) and the consequences: statutory interest, collection costs and proceedings. Keep proof of sending. Draft it with the Business letter.
4. Final demand by a lawyer or bailiff, if your customer ignores letters from you.
5. Proceedings or attachment: see below.

Every written reminder in which you unambiguously reserve your right to payment interrupts the limitation period (article 317 of Book 3). So keep copies.

Statutory interest, collection costs and currency

• Statutory interest: the compensation for late payment of a sum of money is statutory interest over the period the debtor is in default. After each year the interest is added to the principal (article 119 of Book 6).
• Rate: the rate is set by state decree (article 120). As long as there is no such decree, statutory interest is 5% a year (article 130b of the Transitional Act for the new Civil Code). Up to 26 October 2026 we found no decree setting another rate. More on New Civil Code. If you want more, agree a higher rate in your terms.
• Extrajudicial costs: reasonable costs of obtaining payment out of court qualify for compensation (article 96(2) of Book 6), except where the rules on legal costs apply. Keep costs proportionate to the claim and document them.
• Legal costs: if your customer loses the case, the court usually orders them to pay the legal costs.
• Claims in USD or EUR: in proceedings in Suriname you may choose whether to ask for judgment in the foreign currency or in SRD (article 123). Conversion is at the rate on the day of payment (article 124). Exchange rate losses after default can in principle be compensated, except for an SRD claim payable in Suriname to a creditor who lived here (article 125).

Limitation periods under the new Civil Code

The new Civil Code (S.B. 2024 no. 164) entered into force on 1 May 2025. Book 3 sets out when you can no longer enforce a claim through the courts. The full overview, including sales and annulment, is on New Civil Code; below is what matters for collection:

Claim	Period	Starts	Article
Payment or performance under a contract (invoice)	5 years	Day after it fell due	3:307
Rent, interest and anything payable yearly or more often	5 years	Day after it fell due	3:308
Recovering an undue payment	5 years, at most 20 years	Day after knowing of the claim and the recipient	3:309
Damages or a contractual penalty	5 years, at most 20 years	Day after knowing of the damage and the liable party	3:310
Termination or repair for a breach	5 years, at most 20 years	Day after knowing of the breach	3:311
Other claims	20 years	As set by law	3:306
Enforcing a judgment	20 years (5 years for periodic amounts)	Day after the judgment	3:324

Interruption: limitation is interrupted by a written reminder or an unambiguous written reservation (article 317), by bringing a claim (article 316) and by the debtor acknowledging the debt (article 318). A new period then starts. Interest does not become time-barred later than the principal (article 312).

Claims from before 1 May 2025 fall under transitional law (Transitional Act for the new Civil Code, S.B. 2024 no. 166). A new period of one year or longer that would have started before that date could not end before 1 May 2026. For old invoices: get advice and in any case send an interruption letter now.

Collection agencies and bailiffs

• The bailiff (deurwaarder) has legal tasks nobody else may perform: they summon the other party before the cantonal court (by law the summons must go through a bailiff), serve judgments and carry out attachments. A bailiff may also represent you on the Small Commercial Roll, for claims up to SRD 20,000 or USD 2,500 and in rent, eviction and declaration cases.
• A collection agency or lawyer can send demands on your behalf and negotiate a settlement. Without a judgment or other enforceable title nobody can attach or take goods, except through a prejudgment attachment with the court's leave.
• Agree costs: ask in writing beforehand what the bailiff or agency charges (fixed fee, percentage, no cure no pay) and what you get back if the debtor pays.
• Conduct: collection must stay businesslike. Threats, public shaming or contacting family and employers harm your case and may be unlawful.

Going to the cantonal court

In Suriname the cantonal court (kantonrechter) hears civil cases at first instance: loans, rent, employment, wages, eviction, breach of contract, damages and land matters. Commercial cases go through the Commercial Roll (Handelsrol):

• Small Commercial Roll: simple cases and money claims up to SRD 20,000, EUR 2,500 or USD 2,500, plus rent, eviction, employment cases and declaration procedures. Designed for fast decisions.
• Large Commercial Roll: all other cases; usually longer.

1. Petition: you, an authorised person or a lawyer draws it up in line with article 111 of the Code of Civil Procedure: who, what, why, and supporting documents. Two copies if there is one other party.
2. Pay the court fee (vastrecht) at the Ministry of Justice. The amount depends on the size of the claim; some cases need no fee. Ask the registry for the current rate.
3. File at the registry of the cantonal courts, Agenda department. After checking, the case gets an AR number and the roll judge sets a date.
4. Summons of the other party by a bailiff, within the statutory periods.
5. Roll hearing: if the defendant does not appear despite being properly summoned, the court can grant a default judgment. If they appear, a defence follows, sometimes a hearing with the judge (comparitie) and evidence.
6. Judgment: the court grants or dismisses the claim and usually orders the loser to pay the legal costs.

If you cannot afford a lawyer, you can apply for a pro bono lawyer at the Legal Aid Bureau (Bureau Rechtszorg) of the Ministry of Justice. Contact details of institutions: Government offices and contacts.

Summary proceedings (kort geding)

Summary proceedings (articles 226 to 235 of the Code of Civil Procedure) are for matters so urgent that the normal procedure cannot be awaited, for example stopping an auction, delivery or eviction. The court only grants a provisional measure: it can suspend a contract, for example, but not terminate it. If the case is too complex, it refers the parties to proceedings on the merits. A money claim in summary proceedings only works with clear urgency and a near-certain claim.

Appeal

You appeal a cantonal court judgment to the Court of Justice (Hof van Justitie), where three judges hear the case again. You file it with a written notice to the registrar of the cantonal court. The new Code of Civil Procedure (S.B. 2024 no. 170, since 1 May 2025) sets the deadline at six weeks after the judgment (article 264), and half of that in summary proceedings: three weeks (article 235). In October 2026 the court's website still gave the old periods of 30 and 14 days. So act as quickly as possible and check the deadline with the registry. An appeal suspends enforcement, unless the judgment was declared provisionally enforceable.

Attachment and enforcement

Prejudgment attachment (before judgment)

• You ask the cantonal court for leave with a petition stating the type of attachment, your claim and the (maximum) amount (article 700 of the Code of Civil Procedure). The court decides after a summary review and sets the amount, including costs.
• If the main case has not started, you must start it within the period the court sets, at least eight days after the attachment; otherwise the attachment lapses.
• The court may require you to provide security for damage caused by the attachment (article 701). If the attachment proves wrongful, you may be liable.
• Once you obtain an enforceable judgment, the prejudgment attachment becomes an executory attachment (article 704).

Executory attachment (after judgment)

• With a judgment you have the bailiff attach movable property, registered property (land, houses, vehicles, ships), shares, or balances and payments held by third parties, such as a bank or a customer of your debtor (garnishment).
• A judgment can be enforced for up to twenty years after it was given (article 324 of Book 3).
• Against the State garnishment is allowed, but only on claims or goods described in the writ, and the State can ask for it to be lifted in summary proceedings for reasons of public interest (article 479 of the Code of Civil Procedure). Goods intended for public service cannot be attached (articles 436 and 703).

Arbitration, binding advice and mediation

Arbitration

In arbitration one or more arbitrators chosen by the parties decide instead of a judge. The rules are in Book 4 of the new Code of Civil Procedure (article 1020 onwards):

• The arbitration agreement must be evidenced in writing; a reference to general terms with an arbitration clause that the other party accepted is enough (article 1021).
• If the other party goes to court anyway, the court declines jurisdiction if you invoke the arbitration clause in time (article 1022).
• Arbitral appeal only exists if the parties agreed to it (article 1050). Otherwise only setting aside and revocation are available against an award; you apply to the cantonal court for setting aside within three months after the award is deposited (article 1064).

The Suriname Arbitration Institute (SAI) was founded in 1954 at the initiative of organised business and reactivated in 2013. It offers arbitration, binding advice and mediation, with its own rules and a pool of arbitrators and mediators, and cooperates with the Netherlands Arbitration Institute. If you choose arbitration, put a clause in at the start of the relationship; once the conflict exists, that rarely works.

New York Convention

Suriname acceded on 10 November 2022 to the 1958 New York Convention on the recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards. It has applied since 8 February 2023. Suriname made two reservations: the Convention only applies to awards made in other contracting states and only to disputes considered commercial under Surinamese law. For foreign partners this means an arbitral award can be enforced in Suriname, and vice versa. Relevant if you export or import: Exporting from Suriname, Importing goods, Investing in Suriname.

Binding advice

With binding advice the parties put a question to an expert, for example about the quality of a building or a delivery, and agree to accept the outcome. An act aimed at obtaining binding advice interrupts limitation, if you inform the other party promptly and the advice is given (article 316(3) of Book 3).

Mediation

In mediation the parties look for a solution together, led by an independent mediator. It is voluntary and confidential and ends in a settlement agreement. It works best when you want to keep the relationship: a regular customer, supplier, tenant or business partner.

When the government does not pay

Late payments by ministries, hospitals and other public bodies are a recurring problem for suppliers and contractors. In 2021 the Minister of Finance and Planning held talks with local contractors about rescheduling arrears, and in 2024 suppliers of medical oxygen were still waiting for tens of millions of SRD, with the ministry saying it could only pay in SRD from the budget.

• Beforehand: for any order, ask for the written contract or order letter, the budget line it is committed to, and who approves payment. For tenders the payment terms are in the documents; see Tenders.
• Invoice exactly to the body's requirements, with the right references, and keep proof of receipt.
• Send written reminders, copied to the director of the ministry or body. That also interrupts limitation.
• Talk: ask for a payment schedule. With large arrears, join forces with other suppliers through your sector or employers' association; see Business associations.
• Legal action: the State is bound by the same obligations and statutory interest can be due. But attachment is limited (see above) and proceedings take time. Weigh that against your cash position; see Cash flow planner and Business financing.

Employment disputes and consumer complaints

Employment disputes

A conflict with an employee about wages, dismissal or terms of employment goes to the cantonal court, often on the Small Commercial Roll. Dismissal has its own rules and procedures: see Dismissal and notice. The general rules are on Labour law basics, and your duties as an employer on Employer costs. Always put agreements and warnings in writing.

Consumer complaints

• Respond quickly and in writing, and where reasonable offer repair, replacement or a refund. A complaint handled well rarely becomes a lawsuit.
• The new Civil Code protects consumers against unreasonable clauses in general terms: see the lists in articles 236 and 237 of Book 6. A clause like "no warranty, no returns, ever" may be void.
• Price complaints about basic goods go through the Ministry of Economic Affairs; see Maximum prices of basic goods and Price rules for shops.
• In 2020 a private member's bill for a Consumer Protection Act was submitted to the National Assembly. We could not confirm that it has been passed; follow its status on New laws and rules.

Checklist: an unpaid invoice

• Quote, order confirmation or contract with the agreed price and payment term
• Invoice with date, number and due date, and proof of sending
• Delivery note, job sheet or customer acceptance
• Reminder and written notice of default with a deadline, with proof of sending
• Calculation of statutory or agreed interest and collection costs incurred
• KKF extract of the customer: correct name, legal form and address for the summons
• Correspondence, WhatsApp messages and notes of conversations
• Limitation date noted, with an interruption letter sent in time
• Decision: settlement, Small or Large Commercial Roll, attachment, arbitration or mediation

What if...

• ...the customer says the work was not done properly? Then it is a dispute, not plain non-payment. Ask in writing what is wrong, offer to fix it, and consider binding advice by an expert.
• ...the customer goes bankrupt? File your claim with the trustee. You can then usually no longer attach assets yourself. The new Book 2 of the Civil Code makes directors personally liable in some cases; see New Civil Code.
• ...the debtor is abroad? Check which court has jurisdiction under your contract. With an arbitration clause, an award is enforceable in most countries under the New York Convention.
• ...I have a judgment but get nothing? Have the bailiff attach bank accounts, vehicles or the debtor's claims on third parties. You have twenty years.
• ...I am sued myself? Note the date in the summons. Appear, yourself or through an authorised person, or a default judgment may be given. Call a lawyer in time.
• ...the claim is in USD and the customer wants to pay in SRD? Without an agreement to pay "effectively" in USD that is allowed, at the rate on the day of payment.
• ...a supervisor fines me? That is administrative law with its own deadlines; for anti-money laundering fines see Anti-money laundering rules.

Sources

• Civil Code Book 6, S.B. 2024 no. 164 (National Assembly)
• Civil Code Book 3, S.B. 2024 no. 164 (limitation)
• Transitional Act new Civil Code, S.B. 2024 no. 166 (art. 130b: statutory interest 5%)
• Code of Civil Procedure, S.B. 2024 no. 170
• Frielink: new Book 2 Civil Code Suriname, in force 1 May 2025 (April 2026)
• Court of Justice: Commercial Roll at the cantonal court
• Court of Justice: summary proceedings
• Court of Justice: appeal
• Suriname Arbitration Institute (SAI)
• UNCITRAL: status of the New York Convention (1958)
• Government of Suriname: minister meets local contractors on debt rescheduling (April 2021)
• Key News: oxygen suppliers waiting for arrears (March 2024)
• National Assembly: private member's bill Consumer Protection Act (2020)

Checked on 26 October 2026. General information, not legal advice. Deadlines are strict: in a concrete dispute, get advice from a lawyer in time.