Provisional measures and attachment in a Peruvian civil case: how do they work and how do you object?

What a provisional measure is

A lawsuit can take a long time. Meanwhile, the claimant worries that by the time they win there will be nothing left to collect. A provisional measure (medida cautelar) exists for that. Article 608 of the Código Procesal Civil says the judge can order one “antes de iniciado el proceso o dentro de éste” (before the case starts or during it), and that its purpose is to guarantee compliance with the final decision.

It is not a judgment against you. Article 612 says every provisional measure “es provisoria, instrumental y variable”: temporary, instrumental and variable. It can be changed, reduced or lifted.

The judge does not grant it just because someone asks. Article 611 requires the judge to weigh three things:

1. Plausibility of the right claimed (verosimilitud): the claim looks well founded.
2. Risk from delay (peligro en la demora): waiting for the judgment puts the outcome at risk, “o cualquier otra razón justificable” (or another justifiable reason).
3. Reasonableness: the measure is proportionate to what is being secured.

The measure also “sólo afecta bienes y derechos de las partes vinculadas por la relación material o de sus sucesores”: it only reaches assets and rights of the parties to the underlying relationship or their successors.

Why your assets were attached without warning

Because the law allows it. Article 637 says a provisional measure “es concedida o rechazada sin conocimiento de la parte afectada”: it is granted or refused without the affected party knowing. If a debtor knew an attachment was coming, they could empty the account or transfer assets. That is why your defence starts after the measure is ordered.

How to object

The same article 637 sets the route:

“Una vez dictada la medida cautelar, la parte afectada puede formular oposición dentro de un plazo de cinco (5) días, contado desde que toma conocimiento de la resolución cautelar, a fin de que pueda formular la defensa pertinente. La formulación de la oposición no suspende la ejecución de la medida.”

Three practical points:

• The 5 days run from when you learn of the order, not from when it was issued.
• Objecting does not suspend the attachment. Your account stays frozen while the judge decides.
• If the judge upholds your objection, the measure is lifted. The ruling on the objection can be appealed, but the appeal does not suspend it.

A useful objection usually attacks one of the three requirements in article 611. For example, that the right claimed is not plausible, or that the measure is out of proportion to what is claimed.

You can also ask for the measure to be varied, for example to swap the attached asset or reduce the amount. Article 617 allows the affected party to ask for this, “previa citación a la otra parte” (after the other side is heard).

If the attachment came before any lawsuit

A provisional measure can be ordered before there is a lawsuit. In that case, the claimant has little time to sue. Article 636 says:

“Ejecutada la medida antes de iniciado el proceso principal, el beneficiario debe interponer su demanda ante el mismo Juez, dentro de los diez días posteriores a dicho acto.”

(“Once the measure is carried out before the main case, the beneficiary must file the lawsuit before the same judge within the following ten days.”)

If the case requires prior out-of-court conciliation, the period runs from when conciliation ends, and conciliation must start within five business days of learning that the measure was carried out. If the claimant does not sue in time, if the lawsuit is rejected outright, or if they do not go to conciliation in time, “la medida cautelar caduca de pleno derecho”: the measure lapses automatically.

The most common forms of attachment

Article 642 defines attachment (embargo) as “la afectación jurídica de un bien o derecho del presunto obligado” (the legal encumbrance of an asset or right of the alleged debtor), and allows it when the claim can be valued in money.

On bank accounts, article 657 says “el Juez ordenará la retención mediante envío del mandato vía correo electrónico, trabándose la medida inmediatamente”: the judge sends the retention order by email and it takes effect immediately. See bank account garnishment for more.

What cannot be attached

Article 648 lists assets that cannot be attached. The most relevant for most people is inciso 6: salaries and pensions cannot be attached up to five Unidades de Referencia Procesal, and “el exceso es embargable hasta una tercera parte” (up to a third of the excess can be attached). For family support (alimentos) debts the limit is different and higher.

If the attachment harms you

Whoever asks for a provisional measure must offer a counter-guarantee (contracautela). Article 613 says it exists “para asegurar al afectado con una medida cautelar el resarcimiento de los daños y perjuicios que pueda causar su ejecución”: to secure compensation for the affected party for the harm the measure may cause. If the attachment turns out to be unjustified, that guarantee is there to answer for the damage.

What this page does not cover

We do not cover how to apply for a provisional measure, how the counter-guarantee amount is set, or the auction of attached assets. We also do not cover seizure with dispossession (secuestro) or measures over unregistered property.