SB348 Summary

• Establishes the Alabama Uniform Foreign-Country Money Judgment Act to provide a procedure for Alabama courts to recognize and enforce money judgments issued by foreign country courts.

• Alabama courts must recognize foreign money judgments that are final, conclusive, and enforceable in the foreign country, except for judgments involving taxes, fines, penalties, or domestic relations matters.

• Courts may refuse recognition if the foreign judicial system lacks impartial tribunals, the defendant lacked proper notice or jurisdiction, or the judgment conflicts with Alabama or U.S. public policy.

• Recognized foreign judgments become conclusive between parties and enforceable in the same manner as Alabama state judgments, with an action to recognize a judgment must be commenced within 5 years from when the judgment became final in the foreign country.

• The act takes effect January 1, 2013, and applies to all actions commenced on or after that date where foreign judgment recognition is raised.