Civil law governs the property and personal relationships of everyday life: what we buy, what we rent, what we own and what we are owed. We advise you to prevent disputes and, when necessary, represent you in court under Costa Rica’s Civil Procedure Code (Código Procesal Civil).

What we do for you

• Drafting and review of contracts: leases, sales, loans, purchase options and more.
• Evictions and landlord–tenant disputes.
• Easements, boundaries and property disputes.
• Adverse possession (usucapión) and possessory title proceedings (información posesoria).
• Breach of contract and collection of obligations.
• Representation in ordinary and summary civil proceedings.

Frequently asked questions

Can you review a contract before I sign it?

Yes. A prior review is the most cost-effective way to avoid disputes. We analyze its clauses, explain the risks and propose the necessary changes.

My tenant is not paying rent. How do I get my property back?

Through an eviction proceeding (desahucio), which allows you to recover the property and claim the unpaid rent. Keep the lease agreement and the receipts for the payments you received on hand.

My property has no access to a public road. What can I do?

The law allows the owner of a landlocked property to require the neighboring owners to grant a right of way (servidumbre de paso), with the corresponding compensation. Ideally it is agreed in a public deed; if there is no agreement, it can be requested in court.

I lent money without signing any document. Can I collect it?

It may be possible, but it is harder: the loan must be proven by other means, such as bank transfers, messages or witnesses. Going forward, we recommend always documenting loans with a promissory note or a contract.

This information is general and is no substitute for an analysis of your specific case. Every matter is assessed individually during a consultation.