Commercial litigation, arbitration and mediation, including enforcement of foreign judgments.
Filter by specialisation
Band 1 Chambers Europe for Dispute Resolution. Strong construction litigation, product liability and international arbitration practice.
Absorbed former White & Case Budapest team (Réczicza) in 2015. Highly regarded real estate and corporate practice.
Former Clifford Chance Budapest office (until 2009). 13 partners, 50+ fee-earners. Hungary's leading independent law firm.
Band 1 Chambers for Dispute Resolution. Renowned domestic firm with strong presence in real estate, pharma and energy sectors.
Member of Ally Law global network (71 firms, 46 countries). Market-leading ESOP, employment and tax practices.
Full-service international law firm with English-speaking team serving foreign clients
Leading international law firm serving multinational clients in English
International law firm with English-speaking team in Budapest
Boutique firm with English-speaking team for expat services
Full-service firm with English-speaking staff
Arbitration is often faster, private, and internationally enforceable under the New York Convention. Your lawyer can advise which route is better for your dispute.
EU judgments are generally enforceable across member states. Non-EU judgments require a separate recognition process. A litigation lawyer can advise.
Browse our verified directory of law firms across Hungary's major cities. All listed firms offer English-language legal services to expats and foreign nationals.
Find My Lawyer in 60 SecondsCourt fees and lawyer costs for dispute resolution in Hungary — from the Metropolitan Court of Budapest to the Budapest Court of Arbitration (Választottbíróság).
| Forum / Matter | Court / Filing Fee | Solo litigator | Commercial lit. firm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small claims ≤HUF 1M (fizetési meghagyás) | HUF 5,000 fixed | HUF 80,000–200,000 | HUF 180,000–400,000 |
| District court claim HUF 1–15M | 6% of claim value | HUF 300,000–800,000 | HUF 600,000–2,000,000 |
| Metropolitan court HUF 15M–100M | 6% (max HUF 1.5M) | HUF 800,000–2,500,000 | HUF 2,000,000–6,000,000 |
| High-value commercial claim >HUF 100M | HUF 1,500,000 cap | Rarely adequate | HUF 5,000,000–20,000,000+ |
| ICC / Vienna arbitration | Varies (3–5% claim) | Specialist required | HUF 8,000,000–30,000,000+ |
| Budapest Court of Arbitration | 3% of claim (min €500) | HUF 2,000,000–6,000,000 | HUF 5,000,000–15,000,000 |
| Mediation (kereskedelmi mediáció) | By agreement | HUF 200,000–600,000 | HUF 500,000–1,500,000 |
⚠ Hungary uses the fizetési meghagyás (payment order) system for undisputed debts — faster and cheaper than full court proceedings. If contested, it automatically converts to a civil claim. Hungarian courts operate in Hungarian only; foreign parties require certified translation of all pleadings. Key legislation: Act CXXX of 2016 (Pp. — Code of Civil Procedure); Act CXLV of 2017 (Arbitration Act).
For cross-border commercial disputes involving Hungarian parties, include an ICC or Vienna arbitration clause in your contract before signing. Hungarian courts operate entirely in Hungarian, proceedings can take 2–4 years, and enforcement of foreign judgments requires separate exequatur proceedings under Act XXVIII of 2017.
Scenario: London-based manufacturer supplies goods to Budapest distributor. Distributor disputes quality and withholds payment of €180,000 (HUF 71,100,000 at 395 EUR/HUF).
Contract clause: "Disputes resolved by courts of England and Wales under English law."
Problem: Post-Brexit, English judgments are not automatically enforceable in Hungary under the Brussels I Regulation. Recognition requires exequatur under Act XXVIII of 2017 § 108.
Strategy adopted: Parallel Hungarian fizetési meghagyás for undisputed portion (HUF 20,000,000) while English proceedings ran for the main claim. Hungarian payment order converted to judgment in 6 months. English judgment recognised in Hungary 14 months later.
Total lawyer cost (Budapest + London dual instruction): HUF 9,800,000
Legal basis: Act CXXX of 2016 (Pp.) §§ 386–392; Act XXVIII of 2017 §§ 101–118 (PIL recognition); Act LV of 2009 (fizetési meghagyás); Brexit Trade and Cooperation Agreement Art. 782 (no mutual enforcement provisions).
Include a proper dispute resolution clause in your Hungarian contracts from day one — our bilingual templates include arbitration clause options.
View contract templates →