Civil Procedure Code at North Macedonia

27 Apr 2025 --
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North Macedonia's civil litigation is governed by the Law on Civil Procedure (Закон за граѓанска постапка), which provides the framework for civil proceedings in the country.

📘 Overview of the Law on Civil Procedure

The Law on Civil Procedure in North Macedonia outlines the procedures for initiating and conducting civil actions. Key provisions include:

Jurisdiction of Courts: Civil cases are resolved by People's Courts at various levels:

City (or District) or County People's Courts: Handle cases involving local institutions, enterprises, organizations, and citizens.

Province (or Municipality directly under central authority) Courts: Address cases not under the jurisdiction of lower courts or involving foreign entities.

Special Courts: Deal with specific types of cases as determined by law.

Initiation of Lawsuits: Lawsuits can be initiated by institutions, enterprises, organizations, and citizens to protect their civil rights. Public Prosecutors may also initiate lawsuits to protect state, societal, and citizen interests. A notice of lawsuit must be submitted to the court, detailing the parties involved, the claim, supporting facts, and relevant evidence.

Trial Procedures: Investigations and hearings are conducted based on lawsuits raised by the parties or by interested parties, including Public Prosecutors. Trials are generally public, though certain cases may be held in camera to protect state secrets or societal interests. The language of proceedings is Macedonian, with interpreters provided for non-Macedonian speakers.

Judgments and Appeals: Judgments are adopted by majority decision of the court members. Appeals can be made within 10 days of receiving the judgment. Emergency appeals may be raised at any time if a final judgment has violated legal requirements.

Execution of Judgments: Execution of judgments is carried out by executive officers. Execution may be suspended under certain conditions, such as the debtor's inability to pay or mutual agreement between parties. Property obtained through execution is handed over to the obligee, and an execution report is drafted.