跨境执行指南系列之美国加州篇｜德恒研究

如果对方提出异议，确认外国判决或外国仲裁裁决的程序可能需要大约1到3年，具体取决于争议问题的复杂程度。执行判决所需的时间取决于债务人的配合程度、资产调查以及执行程序的复杂性。

If oppositions are raised, the process to recognize a foreign judgment or a foreign arbitration award may take approximately 1 to 3 years, depending on the complexity of the issues raised. The time required for enforcement of the judgment will depend on the debtor’s level of cooperation, the asset investigation process and the complexity of the enforcement process.

如果没有异议，费用（包括法院费用和其他支出）大约为50,000-100,000美元。

If unopposed, the costs (including court fees and other expenses) are approximately between $50,000 and $100,000). 

如果有异议，费用（包括法院费用和其他支出）大约为100,000-$300,000美元,取决于案件复杂程度。

If opposed, the costs (including court fees and other expenses) can range from $100,000 to $300,000, depending on the complexity of the case.

执行外国民商事判决的困难包括缺乏互惠条约、UFCMJRA下的抗辩（如程序不公或违反公共政策）以及查找资产的难度。中国内地(不含港澳台）的法院判决可能因司法独立性担忧受到额外审查。最经常出现的困难一般是国内判决或裁决是通过被告缺席的方式获得的，因此被告可能以没有在国内收到有效送达进行抗辩。

For enforcing a foreign civil and commercial judgment, challenges include lack of reciprocity treaties, defenses under the UFCMJRA (e.g., unfair procedures or conflict with public policy), and difficulty locating assets. Mainland of China courts judgments (exclusive of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) may face additional scrutiny due to concerns over judicial independence. The most common difficulty is that Mainland of China judgments or arbitral awards are often rendered in the absence of the defendant at the hearing. Defendants often raise the defense on the ground of improper service and lack of notice in Mainland of China.

基于《纽约公约》，确认外国仲裁裁决通常比确认外国法院判决更为容易，但仍可能面临程序不当或仲裁员偏袒等抗辩。同样的道理，国内仲裁的送达有效性是最经常发生的抗辩理由。

Confirmation of a foreign arbitration award is generally easier than judgments due to the New York Convention, but challenges include due process violations or arbitrator bias claims. Similarly, challenges to the validity of service is the most frequently raised defense. 

加州承认金钱判决或裁决（终局性且在原籍国可执行）。非金钱判决或裁决（如禁令）通常不承认。

California enforces money judgments/orders (final, conclusive, and enforceable in the originating country). Non-monetary judgments/orders (e.g., injunctions) are typically excluded.

可通过公开记录（县登记处的房产、DMV的车辆信息）、向银行/雇主发传票及雇佣私人调查员。加州允许判决后调查（如债务人质询 -一种法律程序，允许胜诉的债权人对败诉的债务人在其宣誓的情况下进行质询，了解其财务状况，以便查找可用于偿还判决债务的资产）。另外，利用第三方调查机构还可能获得被告人的银行账户或其它金融资产信息。

Asset searches involve public records (county recorders for real estate, DMV for vehicles), subpoenas to banks/employers, and private investigators. California allows post-judgment discovery (e.g., debtor exams - a legal process that allows a judgment creditor to question the judgment debtor under oath about their finances in order to locate assets that can be used to satisfy the judgment.) In addition, third-party investigation agencies may be able to obtain the information of the defendant’s bank accounts or other financial assets.

通常按小时计费或风险代理。加州允许风险代理但需遵守加州道德规则。

Fees are typically hourly or contingency-based. Contingency fees are permitted but must comply with California ethics rules.

承认外国法院判决的诉讼应在以下两者中较早的时间内提起：外国法院判决在该外国有效的期间，或自该外国法院判决在该外国生效之日起十年内（加州民事诉讼法第1721条）。

An action to recognize a foreign-country judgment shall be commenced within the earlier of the time during which the foreign-country judgment is effective in the foreign country or 10 years from the date that the foreign-country judgment became effective in the foreign country（California Code of Civil Procedure §1721）.

在美国，确认外国商事仲裁裁决的诉讼时效通常为三年。如果《纽约公约》适用，进行的仲裁中的一方，可以在裁决作出后三年内，向具有管辖权的法院申请确认该裁决（美国法典第9编第207条）。

The Statute of limitations for confirming a foreign commercial arbitral award in the United States is typically three years. A party to an arbitration covered by the New York Convention may, within three years of the award being issued, request a court with proper jurisdiction to confirm the award. (9 U.S. Code § 207). 

经认证的判决/裁决书、英文翻译（如非英文）、终局性证明及送达债务人的证据。

Certified judgment/award, translation (if not in English), proof of finality, and evidence of service on the debtor.

在加州，外国民事或商业判决或外国仲裁裁决一旦获得法院承认，其执行程序与执行本地判决相同。主要方式包括申请执行令状，授权治安官或注册送达员扣押债务人的银行账户、个人财产或不动产。另一种常见方式是工资扣押，即要求雇主从债务人工资中扣除一定比例（通常为可支配收入的25%）直接支付给债权人。对于拥有不动产的债务人，可在县登记处登记判决留置权，对其在加州的房产设置担保权益，防止其在清偿债务前出售房产。

In California, either the enforcement of a foreign civil or commercial judgment, once recognized by the court, or the enforcement of a foreign arbitration award once confirmed by the court, follows the same procedures as enforcing a domestic judgment. The primary methods include obtaining a writ of execution, which authorizes the seizure of the debtor’s bank accounts, personal property, or real estate through the sheriff or a registered process server. Another common method is wage garnishment, where a portion of the debtor’s earnings (typically up to 25% of disposable income) is withheld by their employer and paid directly to the creditor. For debtors with real property, a judgment lien can be recorded with the county recorder’s office, encumbering any real estate they own in California and preventing its sale without satisfying the debt.

此外，债权人可申请债务人质询，即通过法庭命令强制债务人宣誓出庭，披露其资产、就业及财务往来情况。这是查明隐藏资产或收入的关键手段。如债务人拒绝配合，可能被判处藐视法庭。若债务人经营企业，债权人可采取收银机扣押或管理人扣押，直接从企业现金柜或银行账户扣款。对于涉及股票或知识产权等无形资产的判决，法院可签发押记令，将相关收益或分红转付债权人。

Additionally, creditors may conduct a debtor’s examination, a court-ordered proceeding where the judgment debtor must appear under oath and disclose their assets, employment, and financial transactions. This is a critical tool for uncovering hidden assets or income streams. If the debtor fails to comply, they may be held in contempt of court. In cases where the debtor owns a business, a till tap or keeper’s levy may be used to seize cash from a business’s cash register or bank accounts. For judgments involving intangible assets, such as stocks or intellectual property, a charging order may be issued to redirect profits or distributions to the creditor.

执行还可采取更强硬措施，例如通过车管所（DMV）对车辆设置留置权，或申请银行账户冻结以划扣资金。如债务人试图转移资产逃避债务，债权人可提起欺诈性转让诉讼撤销相关交易。若债务人仍拒不配合，违反了法院的相关判决，法院可判处藐视法庭、罚款，甚至对恶意拒付者实施监禁。

Enforcement can also involve more aggressive measures, such as placing a lien on vehicles (through the DMV) or seeking a bank levy to freeze and withdraw funds from the debtor’s accounts. If the debtor attempts to transfer assets to avoid payment, the creditor may file a fraudulent transfer action to reverse the transaction. Ultimately, if the debtor refuses to cooperate  in violation of court orders, the court may hold them in contempt, impose fines, or even order jail time for willful non-compliance.

费用（如法院费、执法官费用）会计入判决金额并通过执行方式追讨。如原判决含律师费，亦可追讨。

Costs (e.g., filing fees, sheriff fees) are added to the judgment and recoverable via enforcement methods. Attorney fees may be recoverable if the original judgment includes them.