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A lien can halt your business before the trial is over: what guarantees can help? Lien release bond

Writer: Eduardo Ramos
Eduardo Ramos
8 hours ago
8 min read
Executives and lawyers analyzing an embargo measure and alternative judicial guarantees for a company.
Executives and lawyers engage in a strategic discussion on legal measures regarding embargoes and judicial guarantees, with a panoramic city view in the background.

Imagine that your company is facing a commercial dispute over a significant amount.

The legal proceedings have only just begun. There is still no final ruling determining who is right.

However, a measure is issued that affects certain assets or resources of the company.


Suddenly, the problem is no longer just legal.

It is also financial.

The company needs to continue paying salaries, fulfilling contracts, serving suppliers, and maintaining its business commitments. However, some of its assets may be subject to restrictions as a result of the proceedings.

And then a question arises that many business owners are unaware they can ask their lawyers:


Is it possible to offer a guarantee to request the lifting or replacement of a lien, without waiting for the entire trial to conclude?

In certain procedures, the answer may be yes.

Non-criminal judicial bonds are tools that, when permitted by law and court order, can support procedural obligations or responsibilities and serve as an alternative to certain measures on assets.

They are not an automatic solution nor do they replace legal defense. However, understanding them in a timely manner can help a company evaluate options to protect its liquidity and operational continuity.


1. The real problem with a lien isn't always the legal proceedings. Bond for lifting a lien


A company can face a lawsuit and continue operating during the proceedings.

But when there is a precautionary measure on assets, the impact can be immediate.


Depending on the nature and scope of the measure, its effects can complicate:

  • The disposal of certain assets.

  • The use of financial resources subject to withholding.

  • Timely fulfillment of commercial commitments.

  • Obtaining financing.

  • The management of inventories, equipment, or affected assets.

  • Cash flow planning.


The problem becomes especially delicate when the goods involved are necessary to carry out daily activity.

For example, let's imagine a distribution company with a dispute related to a supply contract.

Although the trial has not yet concluded, a measure regarding certain assets could limit its ability to operate.

At that point, the legal strategy and the financial strategy must be coordinated.


Defending oneself in court and preserving business continuity are different objectives, but they may require a joint solution.


2. What is a precautionary seizure and why can it be ordered before a judgment?


In general terms, a precautionary measure seeks to preserve assets or ensure relevant conditions so that a possible judicial resolution can be fulfilled.

In commercial matters, the Commercial Code contemplates precautionary measures, including the retention of goods, under specific requirements.

These measures do not necessarily mean that the controversy has already been resolved.

Nor do they automatically equate to a definitive declaration of responsibility.

Its purpose depends on the procedure and the conditions established by the judicial authority.


Not all embargoes are the same

It is important to distinguish, for example, between:

Seizure or precautionary retention: a measure aimed at preserving assets or guaranteeing certain results of the procedure.

Executive attachment: a measure related to the execution or securing of obligations within a procedure that has different characteristics.

The distinction matters because the requirements for requesting its lifting, replacement, or modification may be different.

It should not be assumed that any embargo can be lifted by means of a bond.


3. Can a court bond help lift a lien?


In certain cases, yes.

A non-criminal judicial bond can guarantee the corresponding obligations or responsibilities within a civil or commercial proceeding, in accordance with the judge's decision and the policy conditions.

For example, Article 1179 of the Commercial Code contemplates the possibility of lifting a precautionary measure when the defendant deposits the value or object claimed, grants a bond or sufficiently guarantees with real estate, under the terms provided by that provision.

However, this does not mean that any policy is sufficient or that the measure will be lifted automatically simply by taking it out.


The following must be analyzed:

  • The type of procedure.

  • The court ruling.

  • The nature of the measure.

  • The amount demanded.

  • The sufficiency of the guarantee.

  • The policy features.

  • The acceptance and determination of the competent authority.


The bond is a guarantee instrument; the procedural decision corresponds to the judicial authority.

This difference is fundamental to avoid mistaken expectations.


4. Practical example: a company with committed resources


Let's consider the following hypothetical case.

A Mexican industrial supply company faces a commercial claim for $15 million pesos .

During the procedure, a precautionary measure is decreed on certain assets.

The company has existing contracts, commitments to employees and suppliers, and an operational cash flow that it needs to preserve.

His legal team considers it appropriate to request the lifting of the measure through a sufficient guarantee.


In this scenario, different alternatives could be evaluated, always in accordance with the court ruling:

Alternative A: allocation of resources.

The company provides the required amount, with the consequent effect on the resources it allocates to other activities.

Alternative B: guarantee on goods.

The financial support offered is that which is permitted by applicable legislation and which the judge considers sufficient.

Alternative C: judicial bond.

An institution is analyzing the feasibility of issuing a policy that guarantees the corresponding legal obligation.


The third alternative can be financially attractive when it allows avoiding the direct immobilization of all the claimed resources.

However, you must consider its premium, requirements, counter-guarantees, and authorization conditions. It does not necessarily mean that the company can freely dispose of all its assets.

The right decision requires comparing the cost and constraints of each alternative.


5. What types of court-ordered bonds can be involved?


Non-criminal judicial bonds are used to support certain obligations within legal proceedings.

Among the scenarios that may be considered, when they are legally appropriate, are:


Lifting or non-execution of precautionary seizures

They allow supporting the obligations that the authority determines to request the lifting or avoid the execution of a precautionary measure in the admitted cases.


Replacement or lifting of executive attachments

They can be used to guarantee certain amounts or benefits claimed in accordance with the procedure and conditions set by the authority.


Precautionary measures and other precautionary measures

In some situations, guarantees are required to cover any damages that may arise from the measure.


Suspension of acts or resolutions

In proceedings where legislation allows a suspension subject to guarantee, a specific policy may be required to cover the legally foreseen consequences.

Each scenario requires independent analysis. A bond for damages arising from a suspension is not necessarily equivalent to a bond guaranteeing payment of a commercial claim.


6. What does a surety company check before authorizing the transaction?


The legal possibility of submitting a bond does not guarantee that an institution will issue it.

The surety company must assess the risk it would assume.


In a non-criminal judicial operation, you may review, among other things:

The court ruling. It is essential to identify the exact obligation that must be guaranteed, the beneficiary, and the required conditions.

The amount. The institution needs to determine the economic exposure and verify that it corresponds to the authorised obligation.

The nature of the controversy. The type of procedure, its stage, and the content of the resolutions can influence the analysis.

The applicant's financial capacity. Financial statements, assets, liquidity, and relevant background information may be considered.

Recovery guarantees. Depending on the risk, counter-guarantees or joint obligors may be required.

The policy text. It must comply with the terms of the legal obligation and the requirements of the issuing institution.

That is why it is advisable to review the viability of the guarantee in coordination with the legal team before committing to present it to the court.


7. Five mistakes that can complicate a legal situation


Error 1. Waiting too long to analyze alternatives

When a company only reacts after facing significant constraints, it reduces the time available to compile files, analyze guarantees, and submit applications.


Error 2. Confusing the amount claimed with the amount that must be guaranteed

They will not always be identical.

The exact obligation and amount must be determined based on the court ruling and applicable provisions.


Error 3. Thinking that all court-ordered bail bonds work the same way

The guaranteed object, the conditions of claim and the responsibilities may vary considerably between procedures.


Error 4. Not considering counter-guarantees

A bond can avoid the need to directly deposit an amount, but the issuing institution may require other guarantees to back up its risk.

It is essential to analyze the full financial impact.


Error 5. Failure to coordinate the lawyer and the surety specialist

A lawyer can identify a viable procedural path, but the policy must also be authorizable by the institution.

Coordination allows for the timely detection of differences between the required legal text and the conditions that the surety company can assume.


8. What documents should be prepared?


The requirements will depend on the procedure and the institution, but an initial assessment usually requires information such as:

Document

Purpose

Court ruling

Identify the obligation and the measure

Lawsuit or relevant background

Understanding the controversy

Document that establishes the amount

Determine the amount to be guaranteed

Articles of Incorporation and Powers of Attorney

Proof of identity and legal capacity

Tax identification and proof

Integrate corporate file

Financial statements

Analyze economic capacity

Information on counter-guarantees

Evaluate the support for the operation

Not all files will require exactly the same thing.

It is recommended to start with the resolution that establishes the measure and allow the specialized advisor to determine the additional documentation.


9. Is a bail bond better than depositing the money?


There is no universal answer.

The comparison depends on the amount, the time, the counter-guarantees and the conditions of the procedure.

A surety bond can have advantages when it allows structuring an institutional guarantee without directly depositing the entire amount.

But it also has costs and obligations.

Depositing, on the other hand, may be simpler in certain circumstances, although it ties up resources.


For a company, the decision should consider:

  • Cost of obtaining each alternative.

  • Resources that would remain immobilized.

  • Required asset guarantees.

  • Time required to implement it.

  • Impact on the operation.

  • Risk of eventual execution.

  • Consequences of non-compliance.


The important thing is not to automatically choose the lowest priced option.

It is choosing the legally sound and financially sustainable alternative.


10. When should a court-appointed bail bonds specialist intervene?


Ideally, from the moment the lawyer identifies that the procedure allows for a guarantee.

At that point, two issues can be reviewed simultaneously:

Legal viability: whether the bond is permitted and what characteristics it must meet.

Feasibility of securing the guarantee: whether any institution can assume the risk, under what conditions and with what backing.

A properly structured policy begins with an understanding of the court ruling, not with a generic quote.


11. The best strategy combines legal defense and financial management


A controversy does not necessarily mean that a company must stop its activity.

But the impact that a judicial measure can have on their resources should not be underestimated either.

Non-criminal judicial bonds are among the tools that can be evaluated to guarantee certain obligations in civil and commercial proceedings.

Its use depends on the law, the judge, the conditions of the obligation, and the authorization of the institution.

Knowing these alternatives allows legal and financial teams to work in a coordinated manner and make more informed decisions.


Conclusion: A guarantee can make the difference between facing a lawsuit and jeopardizing the entire operation.


A trial can last months or years.

During that time, the company needs to continue to meet its obligations, maintain business relationships, and properly manage its resources.

When an embargo or a precautionary measure affects assets essential to the business, it is advisable to examine the available legal alternatives.

In certain proceedings, a non-criminal judicial bond may be part of the solution.

It does not resolve the controversy, it does not eliminate the obligation, and it does not guarantee that the judge will lift the measure.

However, when appropriate, it can provide a backup option that deserves to be evaluated before committing resources or assets.

Because facing a legal dispute should not prevent a company from analyzing how to protect its operational continuity.


Is your company facing an embargo or do you need to provide a court guarantee?


Bond for lifting of seizure. At We Link we have over 30 years of experience in the surety sector and we work with institutions specializing in different types of guarantees.

We can help you assess the feasibility of a non-criminal judicial bond, review the terms of the resolution, and coordinate the bonding process with your lawyers.


If a resolution already exists that requires a guarantee, please share it with us so we can begin the analysis.

Tel. (+52) 55 9337 6539

This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace legal advice. The validity of a guarantee depends on the type of procedure, the applicable regulations, and the determination of the competent authority.

 
 
 

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