how to become a lawyer in costa rica

In Costa Rica, lawyers must obtain a law degree from a recognised university, complete supervised work experience of not less than 150 hours, and pass the Bar Association's legal ethics course and exam. The candidate can then apply to the Bar Association of Costa Rica for a licence.

Full Answer

How do I find a good lawyer in Costa Rica?

Make appointments, go to their offices, interview them and evaluate your options. Once you have narrowed it down to a few ones that you like, call the Costa Rican Bar Association and inquire if they are in good standing or if there are any disciplinary actions that have been filed against them.

Do you have to be a lawyer to notarize in Costa Rica?

Attorneys do not have to be notaries to practice law in Costa Rica, but as indicated before, all notaries must be attorneys. All attorneys must belong to the Colegio de Abogados, Costa Rica’s bar association, and notaries must be registered with the Dirección Nacional de Notariado.

Who is the Attorney for the US Embassy in Costa Rica?

José is also listed as one of the attorneys on the US Embassy list of attorneys. Written by Costa Rica Attorney José Rafael Fernández who has been in private practice as an International Law counselor in Costa Rica since 1985. He works mainly with foreign clients from Europe, Canada and the USA who are living in or doing business in Costa Rica.

How to become a citizen of Costa Rica?

The child of foreign parents that was born in Costa Rica and is voluntarily registered by them up to the age of 18 or register themselves up to the age of 25 The alternative path to qualify for citizenship is by the process known as Naturalization.

How long is law school in Costa Rica?

The University of Costa Rica Law School has a 5 year program. The other private law schools vary from 3 to 5 years. Once a student graduates form an approved law school they are authorized to apply for admission to the Costa Rican Bar Association (Colegio de Abogados y Abogadas de Costa Rica).

Can I be an attorney in Costa Rica?

In order to work as an attorney in Costa Rica, individuals must complete their basic levels of education, a Bachelor's Degree, and then their Masters of Law, also known as an LLM degree. It is very common for individuals to select a specific focus within this law.

How much do lawyers cost in Costa Rica?

Attorney fees amount to 1.5% of the first $1.750 (one million colones) and 1.25% of the remaining sale price. For example, a $100,000 home purchase would be taxed at approximately $1,300.

What is the best country to be a lawyer in?

Switzerland -260,739 USD: Switzerland is at the top of our list of countries that reward their lawyers the best. With an average annual salary of $260,739. The lowest salary for a Swiss lawyer is $120,279 and the highest salary is $414,058 per year.

Can a US lawyer practice in Costa Rica?

Yes. In order to obtain a full licence to practise law in this jurisdiction, foreign lawyers must apply to the University of Costa Rica to have their law degree assessed as being equivalent to a Costa Rican law degree. Foreign lawyers also need to sit the Bar Association's legal ethics exam.

What kind of legal system does Costa Rica have?

The Costa Rican legal system can be classified as a Romano-Germanic style of law. It closely follows the Civil Law system and the Positivist Roman school of thought. The Civil Law model sees crime as an offense against the State rather than against an individual.

How much does it cost to get residency in Costa Rica?

Rentista Residency in Costa Rica Requires proof of US $2,500 per month income for at least two years, guaranteed by a banking institution, OR a US $60,000 deposit in an approved Costa Rican bank. One amount covers the family. Must visit Costa Rica at least once a year.

How much does it cost to buy a house in Costa Rica?

Cost Comparison Chart:United States v/s Costa RicaUnited States Average ($)Costa Rica Average ($)Housing (comparable 3 bedroom, 2 bath)$1000-3000$500-1200Gasoline (per gallon of regular)$3.00$5.00ADSL Internet monthly (1024/512 kb/sec)$34.95$28.25Home Phone Service (basic monthly fee)$29.95$7.0010 more rows•Feb 5, 2013

Who pays transfer tax in Costa Rica?

Costa Rican Property Transfer Law requires all transfers of property recorded in the National Registry are subject to a transfer tax of 1.5% of the value. In the past, property owners and buyers used to avoid paying this tax by transferring the shares of the corporation that holds the property to the new owners.

Which country is best for foreign lawyers?

Top Countries to Study Law inUnited States. The United States is one of the best countries to study law in. ... United Kingdom. Another excellent country to study law is the United Kingdom. ... Australia. Australia makes an excellent destination for a Law degree. ... Singapore. ... Canada.

What is the No 1 law school in the world?

1. Harvard University (Harvard Law School)

Which lawyer is the easiest to become?

Although being a legal clerk is the easiest career path, it is only suited for beginners. Estate planning wins the most stress-free legal practice area when practicing law for lawyers. Many lawyers avoid estate planning as it is a field of law associated with death.

Costs and financing options

International students pay tuition fees at Costa Rica’s universities. They vary depending on the type of institution, subject and program. The more practice-oriented the study program, the more expensive it is usually. It is best to inquire about the exact amount of fees in advance from the respective university.

Visa and entry requirements for Costa Rica

A passport that is valid for at least three months is required to enter Costa Rica while studying abroad. After entering the country, as a student, you apply for the tourist visa to be converted into a corresponding student visa. That is a relatively complex undertaking. For the visa you have to submit the following documents:

How to find a lawyer in Costa Rica?

The Consular Section can provide you a compiled list of local attorneys. It would be wise for you to contact several attorneys, briefly describing the nature of the services you desire, before choosing one. The list of attorneys contains some guidance as to the specialties of each of the attorneys, which may allow you to narrow your choices. The Costa Rican Bar Association (Colegio de Abogados) publishes a schedule of Minimum Fees, which attorneys in Costa Rica have to charge by law. Be advised, however, that depending on the complexities of the case, the expertise of the attorney and other factors, the fees can be substantially higher than the ones contained in the official schedule.

Where to address a complaint against Costa Rican attorney?

If the services of your Costa Rican attorney prove unsatisfactory, in addition to notifying the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in San Jose, you may address your complaints to the local bar association:

What are the free legal aid programs in Costa Rica?

Some Costa Rican attorneys do pro-bono work. Also, the Universidad de Costa Rica’s law school (Facultad de Derecho) sponsors a program called Consultorios Jurídicos. Consultorios Juridícos are legal-aid offices staffed by law students and supervised by a resident attorney. These offices handle small labor disputes, certain domestic relations cases, and a few other civil cases. These offices do not handle commercial transactions, immigration, or criminal matters. Remember that if you decide to take your case to a Consultorio Jurídico , a law student, not an attorney, will handle your case and he/she may not speak English. For more information about Consultorios Jurídicos you may contact the Universidad de Costa Rica’s Law School at the numbers or site listed above.

What is a consultorios juricos?

Consultorios Juridícos are legal-aid offices staffed by law students and supervised by a resident attorney. These offices handle small labor disputes, certain domestic relations cases, and a few other civil cases. These offices do not handle commercial transactions, immigration, or criminal matters.

How to keep your attorney informed of your case?

Ask that your attorney keep you informed of the progress of your case, preferably in writing, according to a pre-established schedule. A clear agreement on communication channels and frequency of communication is very important to keep a healthy relationship with your attorney.

Where to file complaint for notary services?

If the services provided by the attorney were based on notarial services, you must file the complaint at the Dirección General de Notariado (Notary National Directorate) http://consulta.dnn.go.cr/consultapublica/

Do attorneys get paid in advance?

Some attorneys expect to be paid in advance, others demand a deposit before taking action, and still others prefer to be paid in installments tied to the actions taken. It is uncommon for attorneys to take cases on a percentage basis, but it could be possible depending on the case or circumstances. d.

Required Costa Rica Residency Documents

The first three documents are required for all types of residency in Costa Rica (valid six months from issued date).

Other requirements for both Pensionado and Rentista Residency

Invest at least US$200,000 in an operating business or another amount in a government approved sector. $200,000 in ownership or property &/or vehicles, stocks, etc.

Translations of Documents for Residency

Translations from other languages to Spanish have to be done either by the Costa Rican consulate (no one else) in the country where the document was issued or here in Costa Rica by an “official” translator for the specific language to Spanish.

How many attorneys have been issued in the past eight years?

An interesting statistic is that one half of 16,000 or so licensed attorneys have been issued in the past eight years. Clearly, this means that many attorneys do not have extensive experience in law.

Can I use a bean counter in Costa Rica?

Of course you can always use the bean counter you left behind, though that may not always be convenient. I would urge US Citizens to read the section on Paying US taxes as an Expatriate.

When did Alexander the Great live in Costa Rica?

If you really want to live in Costa Rica then, please live IN Costa Rica. It was the year 335 B.C. Alexander the Great faced one of his greatest battles. When his army reached the Phoenician coasts, he realized their enemies outnumbered them by 3 to 1.

Is Costa Rica a common law country?

Always bear in mind that the legal system in Costa Rica is Napoleonic, not Common Law, so things are handled very differently than in the US or Canada.

Do you have the courage to burn your ships once you land on this ‘Rich Coast of Costa Rica’?

Written by Lic. José Rafael Fernandez who is an Attorney at Law. He is a ‘Tico’, born in Costa Rica , from Tico parents, grandparents and great grand parents. José has been in private practice as an International Law counselor in Costa Rica since 1985. He works mainly with foreign clients from Europe, Canada and the USA who are living in or doing business in Costa Rica.

How to become a citizen of Costa Rica?

To reach citizenship by investment individuals that have purchased real estate in Costa Rica either directly or by way of a Costa Rican corporation with a value of US$200,000 or more to qualify for investor residency. You can also combine investments to reach the investment threshold.

How to apply for Rentista residency in Costa Rica?

This can be done by providing a letter from a bank or financial institution that indicates that the applicant will receive the sum of $2,500 per month in Costa Rica. The letter must include wording to the effect that the funds will be sent to Costa Rica in a permanent, stable and irrevocable manner for a 2-year period. To avoid processing delays with your application, make sure that the income letter which will be the basis of your application contains those keywords.

What is the residency category in Costa Rica?

The majority of applications for Costa Rican residency will fall into the Temporary Residency category which is regulated by Article 79 of the Immigration Law and has the following subcategories

What is CAJA law?

The Immigration Law (Law # 8764) requires that all foreigners with residency in Costa Rica contribute towards the Costa Rican Social Security Medical Health Care System (C.C.S.S.) known as the “CA JA”. To initiate this process, you first need to have your Immigration residency approved.

What is a foreign worker in Costa Rica?

This category is for foreign workers that have an signed employment contract to work in Costa Rica and that have a unique scientific, professional or technical expertise required by a local company or agency. They must be registered with the local licensing board and provide proof of their educational and technical expertise.

How to avoid delays in Costa Rica?

To avoid processing delays with your application, make sure that the income letter which will be the basis of your application contains those keywords. If your home country bank cannot issue the income letter with the required wording, then you have the option of working with a Costa Rican bank to do so.

What is the law on marriage in Costa Rica?

The Immigration law (Article 73) allows the spouse of a Costa Rican citizen to apply for temporary status based on marriage. This has been one of the most abused categories in the Immigration Law because of the amount of sham and fraudulent marriages used to qualify for this category.