Article 86

What it means when you sign

This article deals with interest on late payment of commercial debts. Interest for delay in repaying commercial debts accrues from the maturity date of the debt, unless the law or an agreement provides otherwise.

The article does not set a rate of interest, and it does not say that interest must be charged. It only says from when interest runs for a commercial debt that is paid late, namely from the date the debt fell due, and that the parties' agreement or another provision of the law can change that.

When you are about to sign a commercial contract, this article means a payment clause that says nothing about when late-payment interest starts is read as starting from the maturity date. A clause that sets a different starting date for interest, such as after a grace period, or that excludes interest altogether, is the kind of agreement the article allows for. Look at the payment terms, the due date and any late-payment clause to see which rule would apply to the contract.