Fullbyrdelse

Fullbyrdelse is a legal term used in Norwegian and Danish law to describe the enforcement or execution of a court decision, administrative ruling, or other enforceable obligation. It refers to the process by which a successful claimant ensures that a debtor complies with an obligation, typically by collecting money, delivering goods, or mandating performance.

In Norway, the process is governed by the enforcement framework known as tvangsfullbyrdelsesloven (the Enforcement Act) and is administered by the enforcement authority, commonly referred to as the namsmannen. Enforcements may include seizure of assets, attachment of income (wage garnishment), bank account levies, and the sale of seized property to satisfy a claim. The procedure aims to balance creditor rights with the debtor’s protection, including exemptions for essential items and safeguards against unfair treatment.

In Denmark, fuldbyrdelse is handled by the bailiff service through the fogedretten and under relevant statutes. Similar instruments apply: attachment of assets, wage garnishment, and orders to deliver goods or perform acts, with procedural rules designed to ensure due process and proportionality.

The term also encompasses enforcement of non-monetary obligations and administrative penalties, as well as cross-border enforcement in some cases. Debtors have rights to be notified, to challenge enforcement decisions, and to request suspensions in certain circumstances. Creditors must demonstrate the enforceability of the decision and follow procedural timelines.

The concept’s exact rules and institutions vary between countries, but the core aim is consistent: to translate legal judgments into effective, enforceable outcomes while upholding due process.