General Practice Law at Nicaragua
General Practice Law in Nicaragua operates under a civil law system, heavily influenced by Spanish legal traditions and Roman law. General practitioners in Nicaragua handle a broad spectrum of legal issues, ranging from family and criminal law to property, labor, and business law.
⚖️ 1. Legal System in Nicaragua
Type: Civil law system
Legal Sources:
Political Constitution of Nicaragua – Supreme legal authority.
Civil Code – Regulates civil relationships like contracts, property, and family matters.
Penal Code – Covers criminal offenses and penalties.
Labor Code, Commercial Code, Tax Code, etc.
International Treaties – Incorporated upon ratification.
🧑⚖️ 2. General Practice Areas
General practice lawyers (abogados) in Nicaragua handle many legal domains, particularly for individuals and small businesses:
🔹 Civil Law
Property ownership and disputes
Contracts (commercial and private)
Debt collection
Civil liability (torts)
🔹 Family Law
Marriage, divorce, and separation
Child custody and visitation
Alimony and child support
Inheritance and succession
🔹 Criminal Law
Defense for individuals accused of crimes
Bail hearings and plea negotiations
Appeals and post-conviction relief
🔹 Labor Law
Employment contracts
Unjust dismissal
Labor disputes and severance
🔹 Business & Corporate Law
Company formation (S.A., SRL, etc.)
Shareholder agreements
Business permits and licenses
Commercial disputes
🔹 Property Law
Real estate sales and purchases
Title searches and registrations
Land use and zoning
🔹 Administrative Law
Claims against government authorities
Permits, fines, and sanctions
🏛️ 3. Court System
Nicaragua’s judiciary is structured as follows:
Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia) – Highest court; supervises the judiciary.
Appeals Courts (Tribunales de Apelaciones) – Handle appeals from lower courts.
District Courts (Juzgados de Distrito) – General trial courts for civil, criminal, labor, and family matters.
Local Courts (Juzgados Locales) – Lower-level courts for minor cases and preliminary hearings.
Specialized Courts – Including family, juvenile, and labor courts.
🎓 4. Becoming a Lawyer in Nicaragua
Law Degree: Complete a five-year Licenciatura en Derecho from a recognized university.
Public Defense or Internship: Many students complete internships or work under licensed attorneys.
Bar Registration: Must register with the Supreme Court of Justice to obtain a professional license.
Sworn Statement: Lawyers take an oath and receive official certification.
💬 5. Language of Practice
Official Language: Spanish
Legal documents, court proceedings, and contracts are conducted in Spanish.
In tourist or expat areas, some lawyers offer services in English.
💼 6. Legal Practice Structure
Solo Practitioners: Common, especially in rural and smaller cities.
Boutique Law Firms: Handle general practice or specific areas like immigration or real estate.
Full-Service Firms: Located mostly in Managua, serving local and international clients.
In-House Counsel: Employed by corporations and NGOs.
💸 7. Legal Fees & Legal Aid
Billing: Mostly fixed fees, sometimes hourly or based on case complexity.
Legal Aid (Asistencia Legal Gratuita):
Provided for low-income individuals in criminal and family matters.
Often handled through public defenders (Defensoría Pública) under the Ministry of Justice.
📌 Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Legal System | Civil law |
| Regulatory Body | Corte Suprema de Justicia |
| Key Areas | Family, civil, labor, business, criminal |
| Bar Admission | Law degree + registration with Supreme Court |
| Language | Spanish |
| Legal Aid | Available for criminal/family cases |
| Lawyer Titles | Abogado/Abogada |
RELATED Blog
0 comments