Lawyer Sarajevo - representation before the courts in Sarajevo and across Bosnia and Herzegovina
In brief: The law office Prnjavorac provides legal assistance and representation to clients in Sarajevo and before all courts and authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. For more than three decades we have represented domestic and foreign clients, in person or remotely by power of attorney.
- Office: Đorđa Mihajlovića 10B, Tuzla (opposite the Kino Centar building)
- Experience: over 30 years of legal practice (office founded in 1993)
- Coverage: all of Bosnia and Herzegovina - the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska and the Brčko District
- Main areas: civil, inheritance and family law, real estate, commercial law, disputes and enforcement proceedings
- Contact and appointments: +387 35 258 110 · advokat@advokat-prnjavorac.com · appointment required, remote consultations available
The law office Prnjavorac is based in Tuzla and regularly represents private individuals and companies before all courts and authorities in Sarajevo and throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina. The term lawyer Sarajevo in practice refers to an attorney who represents clients before the courts in Sarajevo, and not necessarily one whose office is located in that city. An attorney entered in the Register of the Bar Association of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is authorised to act before all courts in the Federation regardless of where the office is seated, so a client's physical visit to Sarajevo is not required in most matters. Communication takes place by e-mail, post and telephone, and the proceedings are conducted on the basis of a duly issued power of attorney.
There is no objective answer to the question of who is the best lawyer in Sarajevo, because the legal profession has no official rankings: in practice, the choice comes down to specialisation in the specific area of law, past results and transparency of costs.
Court representation in Sarajevo
As a lawyer Sarajevo, before the courts in Sarajevo we represent clients in civil, non-contentious, enforcement, administrative and other proceedings. The most important courts before which cases are heard are:
- Municipal Court in Sarajevo - first-instance civil, non-contentious, enforcement and land-registry matters;
- Cantonal Court in Sarajevo - appellate proceedings and certain first-instance cases;
- Supreme Court of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina - revision and other extraordinary legal remedies;
- Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina - appeals for the protection of constitutional rights;
- Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina - matters within the jurisdiction of the state level.
A detailed overview of the organisation and jurisdiction of the courts is available on the page Courts in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Whether it is a small-value dispute or a complex commercial matter, we handle the case from the preparation of the claim and procedural actions through to the appellate and revision stages.
Remote representation and power of attorney
For clients located outside Sarajevo or outside Bosnia and Herzegovina we organise the entire procedure remotely. The engagement is established in the following sequence of steps:
How to engage a lawyer for proceedings in Sarajevo from abroad:
- First contact: The first contact is made by e-mail or telephone, with a brief description of the legal issue and the basic documents provided for review.
- Offer and agreement: After reviewing the documents, the client receives a written offer with an estimate of costs and a legal-services agreement.
- Signing the power of attorney: The client signs a power of attorney for representation before a competent notary in the country of residence.
- Apostille or legalisation: For countries that are parties to the 1961 Hague Convention an Apostille certification is sufficient, while full legalisation is required for countries that are not.
- Delivery of the power of attorney: The signed and certified power of attorney is delivered to the office by post or courier, whereby legal representation is duly established.
This way of working allows most matters, from debt collection and compensation of damage to real-estate transactions and probate proceedings, to be resolved without a single visit by the client to the country.
Clients from the diaspora
A significant part of our clients are members of the Bosnian diaspora from Austria, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Italy and other countries. We most often represent them in matters of inheritance, in the purchase and registration of real estate, in the recognition of foreign court decisions, and in status and family matters with a foreign element, where private international law applies. We provide communication and legal advice in Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian, German and English, while all submissions to the courts are filed in one of the official languages in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Costs and the Attorneys' Tariff
The fees of an attorney at law are determined in accordance with the Attorneys' Tariff of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Tariff on fees and reimbursement of costs for the work of attorneys, Official Gazette of FBiH no. 43/2025), unless otherwise agreed in writing: as a lump sum, by the hour or according to the value of the dispute. Before concluding the agreement we provide the client with a written offer including an estimate of costs and the expected duration of the proceedings, with no hidden costs.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer in Sarajevo cost and how is the price determined?
The fees of an attorney are determined in accordance with the Attorneys' Tariff of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Tariff on fees and reimbursement of costs for the work of attorneys, Official Gazette of FBiH no. 43/2025). Unless otherwise agreed in writing between the attorney and the client, the attorney is entitled to a fee under the Tariff, and the fee may also be agreed as a lump sum, by the hour or according to the value of the dispute. It is advisable for the client to request a written introductory offer with an estimate of costs before concluding the agreement, so that the costs are transparent and without hidden items.
Can a lawyer whose office is outside Sarajevo represent clients before the courts in Sarajevo?
Yes. Every attorney entered in the Register of the Bar Association of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is authorised to act before all courts and authorities in the Federation, regardless of the town in which the office is seated. The law office Prnjavorac is based in Tuzla but regularly represents clients before the Municipal Court in Sarajevo, the Cantonal Court in Sarajevo and the Supreme Court of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Communication with the client most often takes place by e-mail, post and telephone consultation, so a physical visit to the office is not required in most matters.
How can a client from abroad engage a lawyer to conduct proceedings in Sarajevo without coming to Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Clients from Austria, Germany, Switzerland and other countries regularly engage our office for representation before the courts in Sarajevo and other courts in Bosnia and Herzegovina without physically coming to the country. The first contact is made by e-mail or telephone, followed by a written offer and a legal-services agreement. The client then signs a power of attorney before a competent notary in the country of residence, and for countries that are parties to the 1961 Hague Convention an Apostille certification is sufficient, while full legalisation is required for countries that are not. The signed and certified power of attorney is delivered to the office by post or courier, whereby legal representation is duly established.
What must a power of attorney for legal representation before the courts in Sarajevo contain?
A power of attorney for legal representation before the courts in Sarajevo must contain the full personal details of the grantor (name, surname, personal identification number or passport number, address), the full details of the attorney as the authorised representative with the registration number in the Register of the Bar Association of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a clearly defined scope of authority (civil, enforcement or administrative proceedings), and the grantor's handwritten signature. Under the Civil Procedure Act of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a power of attorney may be general, for all proceedings, or special, issued for a specific case. A power of attorney signed abroad must be notarised, and for countries party to the Hague Convention it must be certified with an Apostille.
What criteria should be taken into account when choosing a lawyer in Sarajevo?
When choosing a lawyer in Sarajevo, a query many people also search as lawyer Sarajevo, clients most often consider: the firm's specialisation in the specific area of law (real estate, family law, enforcement proceedings, commercial law), years of experience and the number of successfully concluded cases of a similar kind, transparency regarding costs and the method of calculating the fee under the Attorneys' Tariff, the availability of communication and the languages in which the attorney communicates with the client, and the available ratings and recommendations of previous clients on public profiles. It is advisable to request a written introductory offer with an estimate of costs and the expected duration of the proceedings before concluding the legal-services agreement.
In which languages can communication with the lawyer for cases before the courts in Sarajevo take place?
The law office Prnjavorac communicates with clients in Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian, German and English, which enables direct work with clients from the diaspora, particularly from Austria, Germany and Switzerland. All submissions and official communication with the courts in Sarajevo and other courts in Bosnia and Herzegovina are conducted in one of the official languages, while translated extracts, explanations and advice are sent to the client in their working language for full understanding of the case.
Which court in Sarajevo has jurisdiction over my legal problem?
The Municipal Court in Sarajevo at first instance hears civil disputes and non-contentious matters, conducts enforcement proceedings and handles land-registry matters. The Cantonal Court in Sarajevo decides on appeals against decisions of the municipal court and hears certain cases at first instance. The Supreme Court of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina decides on revision and other extraordinary legal remedies, while an appeal for the protection of constitutional rights is filed with the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina after ordinary legal remedies have been exhausted. Which court exactly has jurisdiction depends on the type of case and the value of the dispute, which we assess after reviewing the documentation.
How long do court proceedings before the courts in Sarajevo last?
The duration of proceedings depends on the type and complexity of the case, the number of parties and witnesses, the court's caseload and any appeals. Simpler enforcement proceedings can be concluded relatively quickly, while civil proceedings at first instance most often last from a few months to several years, with the possibility of appellate and revision proceedings. The law protects a party's right to a trial within a reasonable time. We provide a realistic estimate of the duration of a specific case only after reviewing the documentation and the legal nature of the dispute.
How do I arrange a consultation and start cooperation with a lawyer?
Cooperation begins with contact by e-mail or telephone and a brief description of the legal problem. After we review the documentation, we provide the client with a written offer and a legal-services agreement, and the client then signs a power of attorney. A consultation is possible in person at the office in Tuzla or remotely by telephone and video call, which is particularly practical for clients from Sarajevo and abroad. Booking an appointment is required.
Can I sell or buy real estate in Sarajevo through a power of attorney, without coming to Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Yes. A real-estate transaction in Sarajevo can be carried out through a notarised power of attorney, and for clients from abroad with an Apostille certification where required. On the basis of such a power of attorney we draft and carry out sales contracts, represent clients in notarial processing and in the registration of ownership in the land registry, and verify the legal status, encumbrances and mortgages before concluding the contract. In this way clients from the diaspora buy or sell real estate in Sarajevo without the need to travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Areas of legal engagement - services of the law office for clients in Sarajevo and throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina
Civil law
Civil law covers a broad range of legal relationships between natural and legal persons, from contractual obligations through property disputes to compensation of damage. In practice this means representation in civil proceedings before the courts in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the drafting and analysis of contracts, and legal advice at the pre-contractual stage. We pay particular attention to the evidentiary weight of written and material evidence, which often decides the outcome of the proceedings.
Ownership and property relations
Questions relating to the right of ownership and other rights in rem cover delimitation, co-ownership, condominium ownership and protection against disturbance of possession. We conduct proceedings for the establishment of the right of ownership, as well as disputes over separation and surrender of real estate. We help clients in Sarajevo and other towns in Bosnia and Herzegovina to align the factual situation with the land-registry records, which removes a number of long-standing irregularities.
Property relations
Property relations cover not only ownership but also easements, building rights, joint ownership and the joint property of spouses. In disputes over marital property we carefully analyse the origin and manner of acquisition of each item of property, since this directly determines each party's share. Many property disputes are also resolved before court proceedings, through a legally structured out-of-court settlement.
Real estate
Real-estate transactions in Sarajevo require careful verification of the legal status, encumbrances and mortgages before each contract is concluded. We draft sales contracts, gift contracts and life-maintenance contracts, and represent clients in the registration of ownership in the land registry. Clients from the diaspora make significant use of the possibility of buying or selling real estate in Sarajevo through a notarised power of attorney, without the need to come to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Land registry
Land-registry proceedings before the competent municipal courts are often the key to realising property rights. We carry out registrations of ownership, notes of dispute, deletions of mortgages and corrections of erroneous earlier entries. In matters with missing or inconsistent data we prepare correct proposals and obtain the necessary identification documents.
Family and inheritance law
Marital and family relations often require a combination of legal precision and an understanding of the client's life situation. We represent clients in proceedings for divorce, division of marital property, determination of maintenance and the regulation of parental care. In probate proceedings before the courts in Sarajevo and elsewhere in Bosnia and Herzegovina we pay particular attention to matters with a foreign element, where private international law applies.
Division of property acquired during marriage
Property acquired through work during the marriage constitutes marital property and, as a rule, is divided into equal shares, unless a different contribution of the spouses is proven. In division proceedings before the courts in Sarajevo and other places in Bosnia and Herzegovina we determine what falls within the marital property and what is the separate property of each spouse, and we protect the client's share in real estate, savings, vehicles and shares in companies. The division may be carried out by agreement, through a notarised contract and registration in the land registry, or in civil proceedings where agreement is not possible. For clients from the diaspora we enable these proceedings to be conducted by power of attorney, without coming to the country.
Private international law
Legal relationships with a foreign element, from the inheritance of property in Bosnia and Herzegovina by persons abroad to the recognition of foreign court and administrative decisions, are resolved by applying conflict-of-law rules and international agreements. We conduct proceedings for the recognition of foreign judgments before the cantonal courts in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and assist in obtaining extracts from registers and court documents from abroad. A typical client in this area is an heir from Germany or Austria exercising rights to real estate in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Commercial law
Commercial law and international commercial law cover the establishment and registration of companies in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the drafting of commercial contracts, corporate governance and the protection of minority shares. We advise foreign investors who invest capital in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as domestic businesses that operate with partners abroad. Particular attention is paid to the choice of applicable law and arbitration clauses in international contracts.
Banking law and finance
Disputes with banks and financial institutions often involve the nullity of provisions of loan agreements, unjustifiably calculated interest or unlawful enforcement against accounts. We represent natural and legal persons in litigation against banks, as well as before the Ombudsman for the banking system in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We follow the case law of the Supreme Court of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina in matters of the protection of consumers of financial services.
Enforcement proceedings
Enforcement proceedings are the final stage of realising claims established by a final judgment. We initiate enforcement proceedings on the basis of court judgments, notarially processed documents and authentic documents such as invoices and extracts from business books. We advise clients in Sarajevo and other towns in Bosnia and Herzegovina to first check the debtor's assets in order to choose the most effective means of enforcement: an inventory of real estate, seizure of movable property or enforcement against monetary funds.
Disputes, litigation and arbitration
Civil proceedings are the central way of resolving civil-law disputes in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We conduct proceedings from the preparation of the claim and procedural actions through to the appellate and revision stages before the Supreme Court of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In more complex commercial disputes we also consider the possibility of arbitration, which often results in a faster outcome and a more discreet procedure.
Tax and financial law
Tax law in Bosnia and Herzegovina is characterised by a complex system of entity and federal regulations, with different rates of VAT, profit tax and income tax. We represent clients in tax audits, objections to decisions of the Tax Administration of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Indirect Taxation Authority, and in appellate proceedings before second-instance bodies. Particular attention is paid to VAT issues in cross-border transactions and the classification of income from abroad.
Proceedings before the Constitutional Court
The appellate procedure before the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a legal remedy for the protection of fundamental human rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Convention. The appeal is filed after ordinary legal remedies have been exhausted, within 60 days of the final decision. Drafting an appeal requires precise legal argumentation and reference to specific provisions of the Convention and to the earlier case law of the Constitutional Court.
Mediation
Mediation is an alternative way of resolving disputes in which a neutral mediator helps the parties to reach an agreed solution. In Bosnia and Herzegovina mediation is regulated by special laws and may be applied in civil, commercial, family and labour disputes. An agreement reached in mediation has the force of an out-of-court settlement, and with notarial processing it may also acquire the status of an enforceable document.
Clients have trusted us since 1993.
The law office Prnjavorac has been active since 1993. Today it has over 1,030 Google reviews with a rating of 5.0 / 5 on two independent Google business profiles.
Client experiences
After a long and exhausting process we finally managed to resolve a dispute that had lasted for years. For me, this is definitely the best lawyer in Sarajevo - he helped us close a property-law matter quickly, lawfully and without any stress. Professionalism, expertise and a human approach at the highest level. Highly recommended!
Signed: A. Š., Sarajevo
I had a complex property dispute in Sarajevo that for years involved questions of ownership and land-registry entries. They handled the case with the utmost professionalism and explained every step clearly, without unnecessary legal jargon. The result is a judgment in my favour and the end of a dispute that lasted years - in my experience, the best lawyer in Sarajevo.
Signed: E. M., Sarajevo
The office far exceeded my expectations - they kept me regularly informed about every step and were always available by e-mail or telephone. They explained all the legal procedures in a way that was easy for me to understand, especially in a real-estate matter. Warm recommendation to anyone who needs a lawyer in Sarajevo.
Signed: A. K., Sarajevo
As a company focused on import and export, we turn to the office for advice on international trade law and every time we receive fast and precise solutions. Our first choice for drafting contracts with suppliers and international sales agreements, with strict deadlines respected.
Signed: R. H., Sarajevo
If we could, we would give more than 5 stars. Exceptionally ethical, thoughtful and highly professional - that was our experience during a very stressful period. In our experience, the best-known lawyers in Sarajevo; the office remains our representative in the future as well.
Signed: D. R., Sarajevo
Because of the high ratings and numerous reviews I chose this office when I was looking for the best lawyers in Sarajevo and Mostar - and I was not wrong. They reply to e-mails even at weekends, communication is fast, professional and friendly. The office remains my benchmark for every future case.
Signed: E. B., Mostar
More reviews are available on both Google profiles. The content shown has been condensed and anonymised for reasons of attorney-client confidentiality.
All reviews are public on both profiles, unfiltered:
Related practice areas
A legal problem rarely stands alone - here are the areas in which our office most often represents clients in Sarajevo and across Bosnia and Herzegovina: