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This publication retains its 2024 text. Legislative changes after the publication date are not reflected in it.
The Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Collection Activities was adopted on 6 May 2017 and entered into force on 2 June 2017. It has since undergone numerous amendments and additions.
The Law regulates debt collection in Kazakhstan, safeguards debtors' rights and interests and protects them against unfair conduct. It also sets out rules for collection organisations, their lawful powers and their liability.
Under Article 4 of the Law, collection activities are carried out under an agreement covering services to a creditor for pre-trial debt recovery and settlement, as well as the collection of information relating to the debt.
Under paragraph 2 of Article 5 of the Law, a collection agency's interaction with a debtor and/or their representative must take place:
- between 8.00 and 21.00 on weekdays in the local time of the debtor's residence, location or registered address, unless the debtor specifies a different period when contacting the collection agency in person;
- no more than 3 (three) times per week and no more than 1 (one) time between 8.00 and 21.00 on weekdays for in-person contact initiated by the collection agency at the debtor's residence, location or registered address, or at the premises of the collection agency, its branch or representative office;
- no more than 3 (three) times between 8.00 and 21.00 on weekdays for telephone calls initiated by the collection agency.
The Law's main principles include:
- protection of debtors' rights;
- fairness and transparency in communications;
- a ban on unfair debt recovery methods.
Collection agencies must undergo registration in accordance with Resolution No. 49 of the Board of the Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market, Approving the Rules for Registration and Maintenance of the Register of Collection Agencies, dated 30 March 2020.