Verbal Proceedings (Juicio Verbal)

Verbal proceedings are the declaratory route provided for lower-value civil claims and for certain matters designated by law, regulated mainly in Article 250 LEC. Following the reform introduced by Royal Decree-Law 6/2023, in force since 20 March 2024, claims of €15,000 or less are decided through this procedure. It is also the route that follows when a debtor files a reasoned objection to a payment order whose amount falls within that threshold.

The court examines the parties' arguments and evidence and, where appropriate, holds a hearing at which witnesses, experts and documents may be presented, before issuing judgment. Although more contentious than the payment order, verbal proceedings remain a comparatively efficient mechanism for resolving commercial disputes and recovering sums owed.

We act for foreign creditors throughout verbal proceedings in Spain, from assessing the claim's value and route to representation at the hearing.