Looking for a lawyer in Znojmo? Czech law, explained in English.
I am Mgr. Barbora Surmanová, an attorney-at-law in the Czech Republic with my office in Znojmo: around 70 kilometres from Vienna, ten kilometres from the Hatě/Kleinhaugsdorf border crossing, close to Retz, Hollabrunn and Laa an der Thaya. Buying a property, an inheritance, unpaid debts or contracts with a Czech connection: we go through your matter in English, at the office or by video call.
Mgr. Barbora Surmanová is a Czech attorney-at-law (Czech Bar Association, Česká advokátní komora, No. 13930) with her office in Znojmo, Rooseveltova 1011/39, about 70 km from Vienna and some ten kilometres from the Hatě/Kleinhaugsdorf border crossing. She advises private individuals and businesses from abroad on Czech law, in English: buying property with attorney escrow, inheritance with a Czech connection, debt recovery and contracts. Appointments in Znojmo or online; she is not admitted in Austria, Germany or the United Kingdom.
What a Czech attorney can do for you
I am registered with the Czech Bar Association (Česká advokátní komora) under No. 13930 and I have practised law since 2011. I am not admitted in Austria, Germany or the United Kingdom: I advise on Czech law only and represent you before Czech courts and authorities. Where your matter also touches on the law of your own country, I liaise with your lawyer or notary there.
- Property in the Czech Republic: purchase contract, attorney escrow, entry in the Czech land register (katastr nemovitostí)
- Inheritance with a Czech connection: Czech inheritance proceedings, European Certificate of Succession
- Unpaid debts owed by Czech debtors, from the first demand letter to enforcement
- Contracts and setting up a company: s.r.o., a Czech company form comparable to a private limited company
Buying a property in the Czech Republic: how it works
Important if you are buying from abroad: ownership passes only on entry in the land register, not on signature.
- Land register search: owner, mortgages, easements, pending proceedings.
- Purchase contract under Czech law, with an English version on request; I carry out the necessary certification of signatures myself, as a Czech attorney, by a declaration of authenticity of signature (prohlášení o pravosti podpisu) at the office.
- Attorney escrow (advokátní úschova): the purchase price goes to a separate escrow account opened for your case alone and notified to the Bar Association; it is paid out, as agreed, only once the new owner has been registered, on the terms set out in the escrow agreement.
- Application for entry at the land registry office, and support through to handover.
Cross-border inheritance involving the Czech Republic
For deaths from August 2015 onwards the EU Succession Regulation No. 650/2012 applies: as a rule what counts is the last habitual residence of the person who died. A typical case in this border region is a house in South Moravia in the estate of someone who lived in Vienna.
- Representation in Czech inheritance proceedings before the notary acting as court commissioner
- European Certificate of Succession to prove your standing as an heir in both countries
- Choice of law in a will: anyone living in the Czech Republic may choose the law of their nationality
Unpaid debts and contracts with Czech partners
When a Czech customer does not pay, the formalities count: a Czech court will as a rule award you your costs only if a demand for payment was sent to the debtor at least seven days before the claim was filed. After that come the Czech order for payment, the European order for payment or enforcement by a Czech enforcement officer (exekutor).
For contracts with Czech partners it pays to look at the choice of law, the jurisdiction clause and a bilingual version; companies that trade with the Czech Republic regularly can agree a monthly flat fee.
How we work together
- 1. A call or an e-mail. You describe your matter in English; I come back to you with a proposed appointment within two working days.
- 2. The consultation. By video call or at the office, Rooseveltova 1011/39; you know the options and the fee before I start work.
- 3. Running the case. I take care of contracts, the land register, courts and authorities, and report to you in English; a personal appointment is usually needed only once, for signatures.
What clients usually ask
Are you admitted to practise outside the Czech Republic?
No. I am admitted only in the Czech Republic (Czech Bar Association No. 13930) and I advise on Czech law; I am not admitted in Austria, Germany or the United Kingdom. Where your matter also involves the law of your own country, I work together with your lawyer or notary there.
May I buy a property in the Czech Republic as an EU citizen?
Yes, citizens of EU member states need no permit. Ownership passes only on entry in the Czech land register (katastr nemovitostí), though; until then the purchase price should be held in escrow.
How does attorney escrow work when you buy a property?
The buyer transfers the purchase price to a separate escrow account opened for that case alone and notified to the Czech Bar Association. It is paid out, as agreed, only once the buyer has been entered in the register as owner; the terms are settled beforehand in a written escrow agreement.
Do I have to come to Znojmo in person?
Usually only once, to sign. Meetings run by video call and documents go back and forth electronically; whether a certification issued in your country is recognised here is something we clarify in advance.
Do I need certified translations?
Czech authorities usually ask for Czech versions of foreign documents such as death certificates, decisions in inheritance proceedings or powers of attorney. These are prepared by a sworn translator (soudní překladatel) in my family, appointed in the Czech Republic, who invoices them separately; whether your own authorities additionally require legalisation is something we clarify in advance.
How much does legal advice cost?
We agree the fee before I begin: an initial consultation at an hourly rate quoted in advance, credited against the fee if we go on working together; standard services such as a purchase contract with escrow at a fixed price.
Call me. We can talk in English.
+420 776 253 056, on WhatsApp as well, or e-mail ak@surman.cz. An answer within two working days; if it is urgent, please ring. The form on aksurman.cz is in Czech, but your message may be in English.
Call now: +420 776 253 056 +420 776 253 056