WALCH Lawyer

Lawyer for legal proceedings

Not all conflicts can be resolved out of court. In such cases, you need an experienced partner who can prepare you for litigation and advise you on the opportunities and risks involved. We offer first-class litigation services in courts throughout Austria.

With many years of experience, we represent companies and individuals, enforce your claims, and defend against unjustified demands. We develop tailored strategies, draft concise legal documents, and conduct persuasive negotiations to convince the court of your position.

Termin vereinbaren
  • Flexible business hours.
  • Appointments by arrangement.

Key areas of court proceedings

Civil Procedure & Litigation

We represent you in civil matters before district courts, regional courts, and commercial courts. Regardless of the amount in dispute, we help you successfully enforce your claims. We also offer reliable support in negotiations through legal assistance channels or in higher courts.

Special procedures

The Austrian Code of Civil Procedure recognizes, in addition to the “classic” civil procedure, special types of proceedings tailored to specific case scenarios:

Debt Collection Procedure: A simplified procedure for enforcing monetary claims, enabling the creditor to obtain a payment order quickly and cost-effectively.

Preliminary Injunctions: For particularly swift decisions when irreparable damage is imminent. Claims can be provisionally secured very quickly.

Property Interference Procedure: This allows the possessor to quickly defend themselves against unlawful interference.

Legal remedies & appeals procedures

A key component is the system of legal remedies, which gives parties the opportunity to have court decisions reviewed. Have you received a court decision with which you are dissatisfied? We can help you challenge that decision.

Findings § Securing evidence

Documentation of findings forms a crucial basis for the successful enforcement of legal claims. We ensure that the facts are documented early and transparently – for example, through photos, reports, or technical documentation. In court proceedings, an expert is often appointed. We support you during the documentation process and carefully review the expert report for completeness and plausibility.

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preservation of evidence procedure. This court-ordered procedure serves to document the condition of an object—such as a building, a property, or damage—by a court-appointed expert at an early stage before any potential main proceedings.  

Cooperation

  • Initial Consultation
    Are you facing legal proceedings or considering initiating them? We analyze the situation and outline the opportunities and risks.
  • Representation
    We accompany you through all instances, file appeals, enforce your claims or defend against unjustified demands.
  • Tip
    Always explain the entire situation to us, no matter how irrelevant the details may seem. The better informed we are, the more effectively we can represent you.

Contact our law firm. Benefit from expert advice, legal experience, and reliable representation in all court proceedings. Use our contact form for a quick response.

Make an appointment

Call us or fill out the contact form.

Frequently Asked Questions about Court Proceedings

Ein Rechtsanwalt erbringt im Rahmen eines Gerichtsverfahrens eine Vielzahl von Leistungen, die sowohl rechtliche Beratung als auch vertretende Tätigkeit vor Gericht umfassen. Zu den wichtigsten Aufgaben gehören:

Rechtliche Beratung und Einschätzung:

  • Prüfung der Rechtslage und Erfolgsaussichten.
  • Beratung über Chancen, Risiken und mögliche Alternativen (z. B. Vergleich).
  • Aufklärung über Verfahrensablauf und Kosten.

Vorbereitung des Verfahrens:

  • Sammlung und Analyse der relevanten Unterlagen und Beweise.
  • Formulierung und Einbringung von Klagen, Klagebeantwortungen, Anträgen oder Schriftsätzen.
  • Einholung von Gutachten oder Hinzuziehung von Sachverständigen, falls erforderlich.

Vertretung vor Gericht:

  • Führen von Verhandlungen.
  • Stellung von Anträgen, Beweisanträgen und Einreden.
  • Wahrnehmung Ihrer Interessen und Rechte im Verfahren.

Verhandlungsführung:

  • Vertretung Ihrer Position gegenüber der Gegenseite.
  • Führen von Vergleichsverhandlungen, falls gewünscht oder geboten.

Kostenmanagement:

  • Erstellung einer Kostenaufstellung für den Kostenersatz.
  • Beratung über Verfahrenskosten, Kostenrisiken und Möglichkeiten (z. B. Prozesskostenhilfe oder Rechtsschutzversicherung).

Nachbereitung des Verfahrens:

  • Prüfung des Urteils oder Beschlusses.
  • Erhebung von Rechtsmitteln (z. B. Berufung, Revision), wenn Erfolgsaussichten bestehen.
  • Durchsetzung von Ansprüchen (z. B. im Exekutionsverfahren).

In Austrian civil procedure, the principle of cost reimbursement based on the success principle generally applies. This means:

If you win the case completely, you, as the winning party, are entitled to reimbursement of necessary legal costs from the losing party (these include, for example, court fees, attorney fees, expert witness fees, etc.).

Cost reimbursement is based on a cost order, which is usually included in the judgment or issued in a separate order.

In Austrian civil procedure, in cases of partial success and partial failure, the principle of cost apportionment according to the proportion of success applies. This means for you:
  • If you partially win and partially lose the case, the court decides how the costs are to be apportioned.
  • In practice, this means that each party bears a share of the court costs corresponding to their respective share of the success or failure in the proceedings.
Example: If you win approximately 70% and lose 30%, the court may decide that the losing party must reimburse 70% of your costs, and you, in turn, must bear 30% of the opposing party's costs. Exceptions and Special Cases:
  • The court has discretion in the allocation of costs and may deviate from this in special cases, e.g., if the costs are not covered by the court's judgment. For example, if a party loses only on a minor point. In the case of an insignificant loss, you may be awarded full reimbursement of costs.

The costs of legal proceedings in Austria consist of several components and can vary depending on the amount in dispute, the type of proceedings, and their duration. The following cost factors are typical:

Court fees:

These are based on the amount in dispute and are legally regulated (Court Fees Act, GGG). They are incurred as soon as the lawsuit is filed.

Attorney's fees:

If you are represented by a lawyer, you will incur fees calculated according to the Lawyers' Fees Act (RATG) or a fee agreement.

Expert or witness fees:

If an expert is called in during the proceedings or witnesses incur costs due to being summoned, additional fees will be incurred, which must be reimbursed by the losing party.

Cost risk:

  • Winning: You will be reimbursed for your costs by the opposing party (if necessary and appropriate).
  • Losing: You will bear the opposing party's costs as well as your own.

Legal expenses insurance

To minimize the financial risk of litigation, You can take out legal expenses insurance. Depending on the policy, this covers, for example: Attorney's fees, Court fees, Expert witness fees, Opposing party's costs if you lose the case. Important: Before filing a lawsuit, you should consult with your insurer and obtain confirmation of coverage.

If you lose your case entirely in Austrian civil proceedings, the principle of cost reimbursement based on the success principle generally applies. This means for you:

  • You are not entitled to reimbursement of costs.
  • Instead, you are obligated to reimburse the winning party for the necessary costs of the proceedings. These include, in particular, attorney's fees, court fees, expert witness fees, and other expenses.

Further information:

  • The court determines the cost reimbursement in the judgment or in a separate cost order.
  • The winning party must provide corresponding documentation of their costs (with invoices, fee receipts, etc.).
  • You also bear your own legal costs (e.g., your attorney's fees), as there is no entitlement to reimbursement in the event of a complete loss.