Procedures
Oral civil procedure since the 2010 Code
The Código Procesal Civil (Decreto 211-2006), in force from 2010, replaced written procedure with oral hearings modelled on the Spanish Ley de Enjuiciamiento Civil. It introduced concentrated evidence and a formal preliminary hearing.
Key rules
- The proceso ordinario handles higher-value claims; the proceso abreviado covers lower-value and listed matters.
- A preliminary hearing (audiencia preliminar) fixes issues and evidence before trial.
- Precautionary measures require appearance of right, urgency and normally a bond.
- Appeal lies to the Cortes de Apelaciones, then casación to the Corte Suprema.
- Arbitration and conciliation are governed by Decreto 161-2000 and are Model Law based.
Governing law
- Código Procesal Civil (Decreto 211-2006)Oral civil procedure.
- Ley de Conciliación y Arbitraje (Decreto 161-2000)ADR and arbitration.
In practice
Evidence must be offered with the pleadings and admitted at the preliminary hearing, so late documents are generally excluded. Enforcement against local defendants remains the practical difficulty rather than obtaining judgment.