Judgments and court orders (civil / criminal)
A judgment or order used abroad must be a copy certified by the court officer, not a copy you made yourself. The certified copy is then translated and the translation legalised in the order the receiver requires.
Court paperwork starts with getting the court and case number right. Only the court that heard the case can certify copies from its file. Thai cases carry a 'black' number when filed and a 'red' number once decided; foreign receivers usually quote the red number. A wrong number stalls the request at step one.
Requesting copies from a case file is a right of the parties and of persons with a legitimate interest under the Civil Procedure Code, filed with the court holding the file. A non-party must show that interest. In family and juvenile matters the court may restrict disclosure to protect a minor.
Once you receive the certified copy, check that every page you intend to use carries the 'certified true copy' stamp, the officer's signature and the date. Judgments often run to dozens of pages; partial certification is a common reason a full set is rejected.
Before ordering translation, ask the receiver three questions: do they need the whole judgment or only the operative part, do they also need a certificate of finality, and in which language. Those answers determine the volume of translation and the entire legalisation order.
Documents to prepare
- A request to copy documents from the case file, filed with the deciding court
- The applicant's Thai ID card or passport
- A power of attorney or lawyer's appointment form if someone else attends
- The black and red case numbers and the party names exactly as in the file
- Evidence of legitimate interest if the applicant is not a party
Step order
- Confirm the correct court and case numbers
- File the copy request and collect the court-certified copy
- Check the certification stamp and signature on every page
- Translate into the language the receiver requires
- Have the translation legalised by the Department of Consular Affairs
- Add the destination embassy's endorsement where that country requires it
Pre-filing checklist
- You know the destination country and the receiving authority
- You know whether the receiver needs the full text or an extract
- Names in the judgment match the passport spelling
- The certified copy is recent enough for the receiver's rules
- You have a contact channel in case the court asks for more documents
Practical tips
- Order more than one certified set at the first request; a second request takes the same time as the first
- Photograph the cover page and the stamped pages for reference when you follow up
- If the receiver only needs the outcome, a certificate of finality is often enough and far shorter to translate
Common pitfalls
- Using a self-made photocopy or the lawyer's PDF, which is not a court-certified copy
- Translating a draft judgment whose wording differs from the certified version
- Forgetting the certificate of finality when the receiver requires it alongside the judgment
Frequently asked questions
Who may request a copy of a judgment?
Parties to the case may file the request directly. A non-party must satisfy the court that it has a legitimate interest, and the court decides case by case.
Can I submit the PDF my lawyer emailed me?
Usually not. It is not a copy certified by the court officer. You need to file a copy request so the court issues a version bearing its certification stamp.
Is a Thai judgment automatically enforceable abroad?
No. Legalisation only authenticates signatures and seals. Recognition and enforcement depend on the destination country's law, so take local advice there in parallel.
Must the whole judgment be translated?
It depends on the receiver. Some accept a translation of the operative part; many require the full text. Ask in writing before commissioning the translation.
What is the difference between the black and red case numbers?
The black number is assigned when the case is filed; the red number is assigned when judgment or a final order is given. Quoting both helps the court locate the file faster.
How do I handle this from abroad?
You can appoint a representative in Thailand. A power of attorney executed abroad usually needs endorsement at a Thai embassy or consulate before it can be used in Thailand.
For a document review before you file, contact us on LINE @nycli, call +66-83-249-4999 or email nycli@ilc.ltd. Our team will confirm the steps, any missing documents and a realistic timeline for your case.