The Chamber of Private Bailiffs of the Republic of Kosovo has reacted sharply to the statements of the Minister of Finance, Hekuran Murati, regarding their work, where he claimed that over 10 million euros from the debt of 35.8 million euros for collective contracts will end up in the pockets of bailiffs this year. According to him, bailiffs have abused bailiff fees.”

The Executive Board of the Chamber of Private Bailiffs of Kosovo considers the Minister’s statements, made on Facebook, to be untrue and unacceptable.

According to the Chamber of Bailiffs, Minister Murati’s accusations of “abuse of fees” and delegitimization of collective contracts were made in a generalized manner, without proper analysis, without information and flat-rates, which would be the least expected from a Minister of Finance.

In its response, the Chamber emphasizes that private bailiffs “implement the law, they do not create it”. Their fees are not set at will, but are clearly defined by Law No. 04/L-139 and Administrative Instruction No. 02/2014. Furthermore, the work of bailiffs is under the constant supervision of the Ministry of Justice, through the Unit Supervisory.

The Chamber clarifies that the enforcement process is not a harm to society, as may be perceived, but an essential legal mechanism for the settlement of obligations in cases where debtors do not voluntarily fulfill their debts. This mechanism ensures rights and increases legal certainty in the Republic of Kosovo.

The Chamber of Bailiffs expresses concern that this is not the first time that the reputation of private bailiffs has been damaged by “sensational and populist” statements by political actors, which are largely generalized and unanalyzed.

Because of this, the Chamber of Bailiffs requests the Minister of Finance, Hekuran Murati, “to withdraw from his reckless statement”, which, according to them, weighs on their reputation and creates “institutional doubt and stagnation”.

This is the Chamber’s full reaction: