PANAMA

Law 19

Of February 18, 2008

Which modifies article 1421-I and repeals artice  1421-J of the Judicial Code, concerning the resolution of international conflicts of private law, and dictates other rules

The National Assembly

DECREES

Article 1. Article 1421 of the Judicial Code is modified in the following way:

1421-I.  If there were a great number of plaintiffs or defendants, the court may consolidate the actions using its discretion to implement practical measures for the case to move quickly, within the limits of due process. Evidence that is common to the parties may be produced only once to avoid unnecessary repetitions.

Other parties may intervene in these cases concerning facts that took place abroad, which are connected to the facts or the parties of a lawsuit filed in Panama, although the effects caused by such facts did not happen in Panama.

Concerning common-origin violations of individual personal rights, belonging to members of a group, category or class, those so affected, collectives formed by the affected or non-governmental organizations created for the defense of collective rights shall have standing to file an action in defense of the individual homogenous rights.

Article 2. Paragraph 2 of article 1545 of the Commercial Code is modified in the following way:

[related to the domicile of bankrupt entities]

Article 3. [also about bankruptcy]

Article 4. This law modifies article 1421-I of the Judicial Code, paragraph 2 of article 1545 and article 1552 of the Commercial Code and repeals article 1421-J of the Judicial Code.

Article 5. This law shall become effective after its publication.

Let it be known and obeyed.

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