Procedures
Oral procedure since the 2010 Civil and Commercial Code
The Código Procesal Civil y Mercantil of 2010 replaced a written nineteenth-century regime with oral hearings, concentrated evidence and active case management. It is one of the more modern civil procedure statutes in the region.
Key rules
- The proceso común handles ordinary claims; the proceso abreviado covers lower-value and specified matters.
- Evidence is taken orally at a single concentrated hearing, and documentary evidence must be disclosed with the pleadings.
- Precautionary measures require a showing of appearance of good right and urgency.
- Appeal lies to the Cámaras, then casación to the Corte Suprema on defined grounds.
- Arbitration under the 2002 Ley de Mediación, Conciliación y Arbitraje is Model Law based.
Governing law
- Código Procesal Civil y Mercantil (Decreto 712 de 2008)Oral civil and commercial procedure.
- Ley de Mediación, Conciliación y Arbitraje (Decreto 914 de 2002)ADR and arbitration.
In practice
Because evidence is concentrated, preparation front-loads: a document not filed with the pleading is usually inadmissible later. First-instance judgments commonly issue within a year, which is fast by regional standards.