Costa Rica - Local Professional ServicesCosta Rica - Local Services
Obtaining competent local legal representation is a critical step in starting a business, buying or selling real estate, applying for resident status, or making any type of significant investment in Costa Rica. Costa Rica's legal system (based on Roman law) is considerably different from the United States legal system (with its roots in English common law).
The language differences present opportunities for serious miscommunications, sometimes with serious consequences. U.S. companies should retain the services of a bilingual attorney to avoid potential communication failures. In Costa Rica, many local attorneys have been trained in the U.S. and are experienced in both U.S. and local law. For more information on legal, accounting, product registration, transportation, or storage services, please see the Business Service Providers Section of the English version of the CS Costa Rica’s website. (https://2016.export.gov/costarica/businessserviceproviders/index.asp)
Frequent visits, communication and effective oversight of local legal representatives are important to ensure that action is taken in a timely manner.
Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.
The language differences present opportunities for serious miscommunications, sometimes with serious consequences. U.S. companies should retain the services of a bilingual attorney to avoid potential communication failures. In Costa Rica, many local attorneys have been trained in the U.S. and are experienced in both U.S. and local law. For more information on legal, accounting, product registration, transportation, or storage services, please see the Business Service Providers Section of the English version of the CS Costa Rica’s website. (https://2016.export.gov/costarica/businessserviceproviders/index.asp)
Frequent visits, communication and effective oversight of local legal representatives are important to ensure that action is taken in a timely manner.
Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.