Belarus Simplifies Cross-Border Legal Cooperation with New Court Ruling Agreement

Belarus Strengthens Legal Cooperation: New Agreement on Mutual Enforcement of Court Decisions MINSK, BELARUS – On May 26, 2023, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko signed a landmark agreement on the mutual recognition and enforcement of court rulings within the Union State, a political union comprising Belarus and Russia. This move is expected to significantly streamline legal processes and improve cross-border legal cooperation. The agreement directly impacts citizens and businesses operating within the Union State. Previously, enforcing a court decision obtained in one country within the Union State often required lengthy and complex procedures in the other. Now, these rulings will be automatically recognized and enforced, saving time and resources. "This is a game-changer," says Valeriya Timofeeva, a legal expert. "Imagine a Belarusian entrepreneur whose business partner in Moscow defaults on a contract. Before, recovering assets would have been a long and costly process. Now, the Belarusian court's decision will be automatically enforced in Russia, making justice more accessible." The agreement covers a wide range of legal matters, including property disputes, alimony payments, inheritance issues, and fines. The simplification of cross-border legal procedures is expected to foster economic growth and increase legal certainty for both citizens and businesses operating within the Union State.