El Salvador: Legal Situation Report

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

The Salvadoran Foundation for Economic and Social Development, Fusades, has presented a report entitled "Legal and Institutional Situation" for the second half of 2011.

The Department of Legal Studies, DEL, this morning released the Report of Legal and Institutional Situation of the second half of 2011, by which the legal and institutional activity in the country is systematically tracked. The report aims to contribute to the national discussion with new inputs to make public policies better, improving the business climate and strengthening democratic institutions.

Parallel Imports in Costa Rica

Monday, March 25, 2013

The activity known as parallel importation is the purchase and import of products outside the distribution channels contractually negotiated by the manufacturer.

From Competition Bulletin No. 156 by the Commission to Promote Competition (COPROCOM) in Costa Rica:

Squatters in Costa Rica

Friday, April 25, 2008

Costa Rica is all too familiar with the problem of squatters – in fact, they are perfectly legal.

Throughout many countries of the world, they occur primarily in urban areas where urban decay exists or in rural areas where vast amounts of land can be owned, but not fully occupied.

Panama Offshore Banking: Asset & Privacy Protection

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

The banking industry in Panama has developed quite an allure for businesses and corporations that are engaged as offshore operations.

Panama has become the most modern and successful country in Latin America and its international banking center can be described in a similar fashion.

Fusades Presents Legal Situation Report

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

The Salvadoran Foundation for Economic and Social Development, Fusades, has released a report entitled "Legal and Institutional Situation" for the first half

A press release of the Salvadoran Foundation for Economic and Social Development (Fusades) reads:

The Department of Legal Studies, DEL, released on Aug.

Guatemala: Clear Rules for Investment Demanded

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

The Guatemalan business union has warned about the negative impact of the lack of legal certainty on the economic, political and social environment.

From a statement by the Cacif:

• We would like to draw the public's attention to the serious impacts that may arise from the various cases in which ILO Convention 169 has been invoked, and in which the country's courts have issued rulings that contradict each other, to the extreme - in one case - by ordering the suspension of operations of a company.
• As has been reiterated in previous communications, it is important to provide Convention 169 with a standard of consultation so as to allow compliance with its provisions clearly and with certainty in regards to its procedures. In so far as this occurs, it is necessary that in the cases that are heard in the different courts of the Republic, fundamental aspects for legal security should be present, such as: 

• a) That Convention 169 is an instrument whose purpose is to foster dialogue in good faith, not to stop projects or to irreversibly affect the national economy. 

Respect for the Rule of Law

Monday, July 1, 2013

In El Salvador foreign investors are astonished when they learn that legislators refuse to accept rulings by the Supreme Court of Justice.

An editorial by Álvaro Cruz Rojas, chief editor of Elmundo.com.sv, shows clearly why Direct Foreign Investment, and even national investment, has fallen so much in recent years, precisely when other Latin American countries are enjoying a boom in this area.

Panama introduces new penal code

Friday, May 23, 2008

Panama has introduced a new penal code that sets the maximum sentence for murder at 30 years, Harley Mitchell, president of the Supreme Court, announced.

The code typifies new crimes of energy, water and telecommunications fraud, and sound and smell pollution.

Legislative overhaul to bring Panama into the 21st century

Thursday, August 21, 2008

PANAMA’S lawyers are celebrating the upgrade of the Commercial Code, legislation that has been due a face-lift for more than half a century.

Morgan & Morgan partner Enrique de Alba said that the Code, which was first drawn up in 1916 shortly after the Panama Canal came into operation, has been badly in need of revision for some time, to underline Panama’s maritime credentials.

Court in Costa Rica orders bank to hand over information

Friday, August 15, 2008

Constitutional Court confirmed that banks in the country are obligated to provide their clients all information concerning their accounts.

The Court ordered the manager of the agency involved to "hand over the information requested from 30 January 2008 to the appellant, as soon as possible" after finding out that money had been taken from his account without his authorization.

El Salvador: Legal Uncertainty Making Business Climate Worse

Monday, February 27, 2017

Although emphasis was given to the momentum taken in the fight against corruption in 2016, lack of legal certainty continues to affect conditions for doing business in the country.

From a report on the Legal and Institutional Situation by the Salvadoran Foundation for Economic and Social Development:

Investment Flees Due to Political Instability

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

"Nothing threatens stability as much as lack of respect for the law. No one invests in an unstable country," Javier Siman, president of ASI.

An article in Elsalvador.com reviews a speech by the president of the Salvadoran Association of Industries (ASI), which criticizes "the ongoing confrontation between the Legislature and the Supreme Court, and the government and private enterprise."

Absurd Legal Practices in Costa Rica

Friday, September 30, 2016

The Attorney General has denounced the existence of barriers that prevent white-collar crime and in particular corruption within the state from being pursued effectively.

The authorization from a judge for a case of public documents to be opened as part of an investigation, and the adoption of appeals even when the law states that they are not appropriate, are some of the legal obstacles that delay the processing of cases of white collar crime. 

Exonerations and Taxes

Friday, August 25, 2017

The Panamanian private sector is concerned about the "change in the rules of the game" which will occur with the elimination of some exemptions in the bill that reduces property tax.

From a statement issued by the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture:

Bill 509, which modifies articles of the Tax Code in matters of property taxes and dictates other provisions, although it offers important adjustments of the property tax rate, has generated a lot of debate, doubts and concern among citizens and the private sector.

Guatemala: Tax Calendar October 2016

Monday, November 7, 2016

Memorandum on "Rights of taxpayers' payment schedule and liabilities for October 2016.

From a Memorandum sent by Tezó and Associates:

Rights of taxpayers

Article 50 of Decree No. 37-2016 added Article 21 "A" to the Tax Code, establishing that taxpayers rights, be they acting by themselves, through a legal representative or an authorized third party, among others established by law, are the following: