The Civil Statement of Claim in Vietnam: Required Contents

A civil lawsuit in Vietnam begins with a statement of claim — the written document that a plaintiff files with the competent court. Under the Civil Procedure Code, the statement of claim must contain certain mandatory information. A claim that omits required contents may be returned for supplementation, delaying the case, so getting it right at the outset saves time.

Mandatory contents

A statement of claim generally must include:

• The date of the statement and the name of the court receiving it.
• The full name and address of the plaintiff.
• The full name and address of the defendant and any persons with related interests and obligations.
• The specific claims and the matters the plaintiff asks the court to resolve.
• The facts and grounds on which the claim is based.
• A list of accompanying evidence and documents.
• The signature or fingerprint of the plaintiff, or the signature and seal for an organisation.

Supporting documents

The statement of claim should be accompanied by the evidence available to the plaintiff — contracts, correspondence, invoices, and other documents supporting the claim. While a plaintiff need not submit every piece of evidence at filing, providing a solid documentary basis strengthens the claim and helps the court accept the case.

Filing and next steps

• The statement is filed with the court that has jurisdiction over the subject matter and territory.
• After receipt, the court examines the claim and may accept it, request supplementation, or return it if requirements are not met.
• Once accepted and the court fee advance is paid, the case is formally opened.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if my statement of claim is incomplete?

The court may ask you to supplement or amend it within a set time. If the defects are not corrected, the claim may be returned, which delays the case.

Can an organisation file a statement of claim?

Yes. An organisation files through its legal representative or an authorised person, and the document carries the signature and the organisation's seal.

Do I need to attach all my evidence immediately?

You should attach the evidence you have, but additional evidence can generally be submitted during the proceedings. Providing a strong initial basis helps the court accept the case.

How LTV Law helps

LTV Law prepares complete and well-supported statements of claim and manages the filing process before the competent court in Vietnam — contact our team.

This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice.