Puerto Rico law

Commercial Litigation Laws in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico commercial litigation runs through the Court of First Instance Superior Division. Puerto Rico has not established a specialized business court docket. Puerto Rico follows the 2020 Civil Code's commercial-contract provisions and selected UCC provisions. The Commerce Code (Código de Comercio) governs commercial transactions. Puerto Rico's Consumer Affairs Department (DACO) provides administrative consumer-protection remedies. The Dealer's Act (Act No. 75 of 1964) is a distinctive statute protecting local distributors/dealers from termination without just cause — a major feature of PR commercial-contract litigation.

Last verified: 2026-04-17

State law

Statute of Limitations

4 years (civil contracts); 15 years (mortgage actions); 1 year (torts)2020 Civil Code Arts. 1202-1204

Civil contracts: 4 years. Extra-contractual (tort): 1 year. Certain specific actions have longer or shorter periods.

State law

Key Puerto Rico Statutes

Puerto Rico Commerce CodeCódigo de Comercio (10 L.P.R.A. §§ 1001 et seq.)

Governs commercial transactions, companies, bankruptcy proceedings (to extent not preempted by federal law), and commercial contracts. Interacts with civil code for general contract principles.

Dealer's Act (Act No. 75 of 1964)10 L.P.R.A. §§ 278 et seq.

Protects Puerto Rico dealers/distributors from termination of dealership contracts "without just cause." Applies to many distributor and representation agreements. Major feature of PR commercial-contract litigation. Includes mandatory damages provisions. Federal preemption issues frequently litigated.

Sales Representatives Act (Act No. 21 of 1990)10 L.P.R.A. §§ 279 et seq.

Parallel protection for sales representatives. Similar "just cause" termination requirement.

DACO (Consumer Affairs Department)3 L.P.R.A. §§ 341 et seq.

Administrative consumer-protection agency. Handles consumer complaints, imposes fines, and provides consumer remedies. Distinctive first-stop for consumer disputes.

Selected UCC Provisions19 L.P.R.A. §§ 401 et seq.

Puerto Rico has adopted portions of the UCC (secured transactions, negotiable instruments). Sales contracts remain governed by the Civil Code and Commerce Code.

State law

Official Sources

Poder Judicial de Puerto Rico PR DACO

Not Legal Advice

This page summarizes publicly available statutes and rules for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by viewing this content. Laws change — always verify with the primary source or consult a licensed attorney in Puerto Rico.

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Commercial Litigation Laws in Puerto Rico.

Statute of Limitations

Key Puerto Rico Statutes

Official Sources

Not Legal Advice

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