Late-payment damages (Article 522)
When a debt is in cash and the debtor, though able, fails to pay, late-payment damages are computed from the ratio of the payment year's price index to the due year's. Enter the principal and due year to see today's amount.
Late-payment damages require the creditor's demand, the debtor's means, and a stark change in the index (Article 522, CPC).
How is it calculated?
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The principal is multiplied by the change in the Central Bank annual index from the due year to the chosen index year (Art. 522 CCP).
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Damages require a creditor demand, a solvent debtor, and a substantial index change — delay alone is not enough.
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For cheques, late-payment damages run from the cheque's own due date (the interpretive law on Article 2 of the Cheque Act).
Sources: Article 522 of the Code of Civil Procedure; the Central Bank annual index table (1315–1404).
Frequent questions
When are late-payment damages owed?
Under Article 522 of the Civil Procedure Code, damages arise when three conditions combine: the creditor's demand, the debtor's means, and a stark change in the price index; the debt is then computed on the index ratio.
From what date are they calculated?
Usually from the due date or formal demand until payment; this tool applies the index ratio between the due year and the target year.