How an arrest works in Spain
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| Claim | We confirm it qualifies as a maritime claim |
| Application | Urgent application to the court with documents |
| Security | The court may require a counter-security |
| Arrest | Port authorities prevent the vessel from leaving |
| Release | The owner provides a guarantee or pays |
Arresting a ship or yacht: for creditors
Shipyards, suppliers, crew and lenders use arrest to secure unpaid invoices, wages and loans. Speed matters: we prepare the application as soon as we know the vessel's location. See debt recovery.
Defending against an arrest: for owners
If your vessel has been arrested, we challenge an unjustified arrest, negotiate the release guarantee and claim damages where appropriate. See yacht lawyer and maritime lawyer.
Example: ship arrest in Mallorca
Based on situations we commonly see; not a specific client. A crew of six had not been paid for three months by the owner of a charter yacht moored in Ibiza. We arrested the yacht for the unpaid wages; the owner provided a bank guarantee and paid the crew within two weeks.
Our collaborators for ship arrest in Mallorca
For every service we work with trusted collaborators when a matter needs them: notaries, architects and surveyors, tax advisers at Castell.tax, sworn translators, banks and mortgage brokers, property managers and specialist lawyers in other parts of Spain. You keep one lawyer as your single point of contact, and we coordinate everyone else.
Castell.law is the English and German-speaking practice of Castell Abogados, a law firm in Palma de Mallorca. This page is general information, not advice on a specific case: laws and procedures change, so check your situation with us before acting.
Not sure where you stand? Ask before you sign
Tell us about your matter or send us the documents you have. A lawyer will explain the risks, the options and the cost before you commit to anything.
Questions about ship arrest in Mallorca
Can a yacht be arrested in the Balearic Islands?
Yes, to secure a maritime claim.
How fast can an arrest be obtained?
Often within hours or a day of the application.
How can the owner release the vessel?
By providing a guarantee or paying the claim.
Do I need to provide security?
The court may ask the claimant for a counter-security.