Citizens Massively Sue Banks for Loan Processing Costs: “Courts Under Severe Siege”

It involves tens of thousands of tubes, and the professional associations of judges and prosecutors are already asking the state to find a solution to this problem, RTS reported.

Duan Markovi of Jagodina sued his bank for the costs charged for processing the loan. You think you are right and that the bank had no basis to charge anything but interest. He has found contracts, hired a lawyer, and hopes the dispute with the bank will be resolved quickly.

“First they charge us the highest interest rates in Europe, and beyond that they charge you some processing costs that are illegal, unconstitutional, you name it, so it doesn’t make sense,” said Duan Markovi, the applicant for the tube.

The influx of new cases against banks has increased in the parity divisions of the courts that act in the first instance.

There are no judgments in favor of the banks

“In 2020, 191 lawsuits by citizens were filed against various banks, of which in 22 cases the process ended with verdicts in favor of the citizens, so there is no verdict in this court that was handed down in favor of the banks,” he said. Jasmina Takovi, judge. .

Lawyers, various associations and agencies deal with the representation of citizens in cases against banks, and almost all cities are covered with notices to go to. In recent days, there has been a random call from citizens on the phone with the question: did you have a loan? Deputies are usually charged according to the purpose of the losing party’s trial.

“Banks did not charge each customer for processing costs, but in most cases they did. When this processing cost was charged, customers should have a loan agreement where it can be seen, and that is the basis for send a tube “, explains Ivan Miloevi, lawyer.

The Professional Association of Judges and Prosecutors asked the government to participate in the resolution of this issue quickly and conveniently, since there is a real threat of judicial blockade.

“Serbian courts are seriously under siege”

“All courts at all levels in Serbia are severely besieged because of these cases. It should not be misunderstood, citizens have the right to defend their right in court, but the court has solved the problem, now we need to find a proper way to overcome this situation of labor blockade. Courts “, emphasizes Ivana Josipovi, president of the Board of the Association of Judges and Prosecutors.

The banks say there is no legal basis for the pipes and often appeal to the lower courts. They point out that the client was aware of the conditions before signing the contract and that there are also fees for processing costs abroad.

There are also attempts to reach out-of-court settlements with the bank. The individual figures are often not large, but in total, according to consumer association accounts, banks have raised more than 10 billion dinars for loan processing costs.