reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART III - Miscellaneous Provisions (§§ 551-553 — 702) › Chapter 58 - Access to Justice Fund (§§ 694 — 702) › § 702 - Duty to report participation in IOLTA

(a) Every lawyer admitted to the bar in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall submit a report every year on his/her IOLTA accounts to the Administrative Board in the manner and/or using the form prescribed by the Board. If the lawyer works for or belongs to a law firm, the annual report shall state such fact. If the lawyer or law firm does not have an IOLTA account, a negative report must be submitted.
(b) On or before January 31st of each year, the Administrative Board shall publish the annual report form that must be completed by every lawyer or law firm engaged in the practice of Law in Puerto Rico.
(c) The annual report must be submitted to the Administrative Board or the entity designated by the Board on or before March 1st of the year following the report year.
History —Dec. 26, 2013, No. 165, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 61 - Practice of Law (§§ 721 — 742) › § 721 - Admission to practice—By examination

From the date of the approval of this act, there shall be admitted to practice as lawyers in the Courts of Justice of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, in addition to those already admitted, only those who fulfill the requirements enumerated below:
(1) To be of legal age, of irreproachable moral conduct and reputation and worthy of being admitted to the practice of law. The Supreme Court of Puerto Rico shall determine by regulation the manner of investigating, evaluating and determining whether the candidate meets this requirement.
(2) To have resided in Puerto Rico during at least the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the date on which the application for admission is filed, it being understood that those persons domiciled in Puerto Rico who, during the year preceding the date of their application, were studying law outside of Puerto Rico shall be exempt from this requirement.
(3) To have been received as a lawyer in a university approved by the American Bar Association and by the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico; Provided, however, That when the applicant has been graduated as a lawyer from a foreign university, the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico is empowered to determine, in its discretion, whether said university complies with the equivalent of the requirements demanded by the universities approved by the American Bar Association, the only case in which the diploma so received shall be considered sufficient; Provided, further, That for the purposes of this subsection the College of Law of the University of Puerto Rico shall be considered as approved by the American Bar Association.
(4) To submit to an examination before the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico or before an examining board designated by said court, on the date, in the manner, and to the extent that the Supreme Court may establish.
The Supreme Court shall establish, in the rules it is authorized to enact by § 726 of this title, the number of members who shall constitute the examining board and the requirements they must meet.
The members of the examining board, other than legislators, officials or employees of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or any of its agencies, instrumentalities, public corporations or political subdivisions, shall be entitled to a per diem for each day in which they render services as members of the board. The Supreme Court shall fix the amount of said per diem in its rules.
All members of the board shall be entitled to be reimbursed for travelling expenses actually incurred in the performance of their official duties as members thereof.
History —June 10, 1939, No. 17, p. 50, § 1; June 19, 1961, No. 72, p. 145, § 1; June 13, 1966, No. 31, p. 156, § 1; June 22, 1975, No. 46, p. 108, § 1; July 12, 1979, No. 101, p. 243, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 61 - Practice of Law (§§ 721 — 742) › § 722 - Admission to practice—Admission on motion

Every person admitted to practice law in the Supreme Court of any state or territory of the United States or of the District of Columbia, or in the United States District Court for Puerto Rico, who has been actively engaged in the practice of law during two (2) or more years, including at least one (1) year’s practice in the United States District Court for Puerto Rico, and who complies with subsections (1), (2), (3) and (4) of § 721 of this title, may be admitted to practice in the courts of Puerto Rico without examination, by sending to the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico a written application setting forth under oath all the requirements demanded by §§ 721—726, 740 and 741 of this title, and presenting proof to that effect.
History —June 10, 1939, No. 17, p. 50, § 2, eff. 90 days after June 10, 1939.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 61 - Practice of Law (§§ 721 — 742) › § 723 - Admission to practice—Courtesy authorization to appear in special cases; admission of Secretary of Justice

Sections 721—726, 740 and 741 of this title shall not be interpreted in the sense of prohibiting the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico from granting courtesy authorization to any lawyer of good repute before the Supreme Court of any state or territory of the United States or of the District of Columbia who visits this Commonwealth, to appear as such lawyer in the courts of this Commonwealth in special cases, or from including the person duly authorized to discharge the duties of Secretary of Justice of Puerto Rico, the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico being able to admit said person to practice in the Commonwealth courts without examination.
History —June 10, 1939, No. 17, p. 50, § 3, eff. 90 days after June 10, 1939.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 61 - Practice of Law (§§ 721 — 742) › § 724 - Admission to practice—Oath; certificate of admission

Whenever the Supreme Court in any of the cases hereinabove specified resolves to admit a person to the practice of law, it shall cause said person to take before it the oath to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States and the laws of Puerto Rico, and to perform well and faithfully the duties of his profession; and after said oath has been taken, it shall order that there be issued to the interested person a certificate of admission which shall be the document accrediting his authority to practice law in this Commonwealth.
History —June 10, 1939, No. 17, p. 50, § 4, eff. 90 days after June 10, 1939.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 61 - Practice of Law (§§ 721 — 742) › § 725 - Admission to practice—Register of lawyers

The Secretary of the Supreme Court shall keep a register of the lawyers who have been admitted to practice in the courts of Puerto Rico, which register shall be signed by the person admitted, at the time the certificate of admission is delivered to him.
History —June 10, 1939, No. 17, p. 50, § 5, eff. 90 days after June 10, 1939.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 61 - Practice of Law (§§ 721 — 742) › § 726 - Admission to practice—Supreme Court Rules

The Supreme Court of Puerto Rico shall set forth, pursuant to this §§ 721—726, 740 and 741 of this title, the rules it deems proper and necessary for its faithful compliance. All funds collected from the fee that in accordance with said rules are established, shall be covered into the Special Fund of the Judicial Branch, created in the Department of the Treasury by § 1482e of Title 32, to be used for the benefit of said Branch, in the manner and for the purposes provided therein.
History —June 10, 1939, No. 17, p. 50, § 6; June 19, 1961, No. 72, p. 145, § 2; Apr. 11, 2002, No. 51, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 61 - Practice of Law (§§ 721 — 742) › § 734 - Officers; meetings; fraud in application; revocation of license

Any fraudulent act or representation by the applicant in connection with his application or by the persons recommending him shall be sufficient cause for the revocation of his license by the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico.
History —Mar. 11, 1909, p. 96, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 61 - Practice of Law (§§ 721 — 742) › § 735 - Disbarment or suspension—Deceit, malpractice, conviction of crime

An attorney or counsellor who is guilty of any deceit, malpractice, felony or misdemeanor, in connection with the practice of his profession or who is guilty of any crime involving moral turpitude, may be suspended or removed from office by the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico. Any person being an attorney or counsellor-at-law, who shall be convicted of a felony committed in connection with the practice of his profession or involving moral turpitude shall, upon such conviction, cease to be an attorney and counsellor-at-law, or to be competent to practice law as such. Upon the presentation to the Supreme Court of a certified copy of the judgment of such conviction, the name of the person so convicted shall, by order of the court, be stricken from the Roll of Attorneys. Upon a reversal of such conviction, or pardon by the President of the United States or by the Governor of Puerto Rico, the Supreme Court shall have power to vacate or modify such order of debarment.
History —Mar. 11, 1909, p. 96, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 61 - Practice of Law (§§ 721 — 742) › § 736 - Disbarment or suspension—Deceit or collusion; liability to injured person; filing of complaint

An attorney or counsellor who, in the practice of his profession, is guilty of any deceit or collusion, or consents to any deceit or collusion with intent to deceive the court or a party to any legal proceedings, forfeits to the party injured by his deceit or collusion, treble damages; and he may be suspended from practice or removed from office by order of the Supreme Court. The party injured by the fraud or collusion or any other person may file in the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico, without the payment of any fee, a complaint against the attorney, or counsellor guilty of such fraud or collusion, praying that he be suspended from practice or removed from office.
History —Mar. 11, 1909, p. 96, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 61 - Practice of Law (§§ 721 — 742) › § 737 - Disbarment or suspension—Form of complaint; notice of hearing; defense

Whenever any complaint shall be preferred against an attorney or counsellor for misconduct in his profession or for any other cause for which he may be suspended or removed from office, the person or persons preferring such complaint shall present it to the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico in writing subscribed and sworn to by the complaining party, plainly stating the matter complained of.
Before an attorney or counsellor is removed or suspended, the Supreme Court shall cause a copy of the charges against him to be served upon the said attorney or counsellor complained of, either personally or by leaving the same at his place of business during office hours, properly addressed to him; and he shall be given an opportunity of being heard in his defense, either personally or by counsel.
The Supreme Court shall cause a notice of not less than ten (10) days of the time and place where the said Court will meet for the consideration of the charges, to be served upon the attorney or counsellor complained of; and the said attorney or counsellor may file a written answer or defense at least two (2) days before the time set for the hearing of the charges.
History —Mar. 11, 1909, p. 96, § 12.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 61 - Practice of Law (§§ 721 — 742) › § 738 - Disbarment or suspension—Prosecution of action

It shall be the duty of the Secretary of Justice of Puerto Rico, or of any prosecuting attorney by him designated, to prosecute all cases for the removal or suspension of attorneys and counsellors-at-law as aforesaid.
History —Mar. 11, 1909, p. 96, § 13.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 61 - Practice of Law (§§ 721 — 742) › § 739 - Disbarment or suspension—Order of disbarment or suspension; reduction or remission of penalty

If after due consideration of the evidence presented by both sides, the Supreme Court should find the complaint, or any material part of it, to be true, it shall make an order for the removal or suspension of the party complained of, according to the gravity of the charges; and it shall further order that the name of the offender be stricken from the Roll of Attorneys and counsellors-at-law.
The Supreme Court may, in its discretion, at any time, after rendering a decision in these cases suspending from practicing or permanently removing from such practice an attorney or counsellor-at-law, either of its own accord or at the request of such attorney or counsellor-at-law, reduce the time of suspension or remit the whole of the penalty imposed.
History —Mar. 11, 1909, p. 96, § 14; Mar. 10, 1910, No. 17, p. 81, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 61 - Practice of Law (§§ 721 — 742) › § 740 - Unauthorized practice of law; malpractice; disbarment

No person not a lawyer authorized by the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico may engage in the practice of law, or advertise as such, or as judicial agent or act, except in regard to his own affairs, in any judicial or quasi-judicial matter before any court of law; Provided, That the violation of any of the provisions of this section shall be deemed and punished as a misdemeanor; Provided, That the fact that any lawyer authorizes with his signature, deeds, pleadings and documents concerning which the said lawyer is not the true bona fide attorney or notary in the matter, or the substitute of the said attorney or notary, shall be deemed malpractice, and shall constitute sufficient cause for disbarment; and Provided, also, That it shall be the duty of prosecuting attorneys to investigate violations of this section and they may, in case they find just cause therefor, apply to the Supreme Court for the temporary or permanent disbarment of any attorney or notary who has violated the foregoing provisions.
History —June 10, 1939, No. 17, p. 50, § 7, eff. 90 days after June 10, 1939.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 61 - Practice of Law (§§ 721 — 742) › § 741 - Power of lawyer to bind client

Every lawyer, as long as he is not notified by his clients of the revocation of their representation, shall be entitled to bind the one who chose him as such, in all steps judicially taken in the name of said client and which are set forth in the minutes of the court in which such steps are taken, but not otherwise.
History —June 10, 1939, No. 17, p. 50, § 8, eff. 90 days after June 10, 1939.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 61 - Practice of Law (§§ 721 — 742) › § 742 - Purchase of chose in action prohibited

A lawyer, or any other person, shall not, directly or indirectly, buy, or be in any manner interested in buying a bond, promissory note, bill of exchange, book-debt, or other chose in action, with the intent and for the purpose of bringing an action thereon; but this provision shall not prohibit the receipt of those choses in action, in payment for property sold, or for services actually rendered, or for a debt previously contracted. Any person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor; and if such person be an attorney or counselor, he must be removed from office by the Supreme Court; Provided, however, That nothing in this section shall be deemed or held to impair or prohibit the assignment in good faith of choses in action.
No attorney shall charge fees of a contingent nature in actions to recover damages in an amount that exceeds, for any reason, twenty-five percent (25%) of the final proceeds of the judgment, compromise or agreement if the client is a minor or mentally disabled, or thirty-three percent (33%) of the final proceeds of the judgment, compromise or agreement if it is any other client. Notwithstanding the foregoing, where clients are minors or mentally disabled, the court may authorize the charge of contingent fees up to thirty-three percent (33%) of the final proceeds of the judgment, compromise or agreement if the attorney so requests, and presents good cause therefor.
Any contract or agreement executed for the purpose of evading the prohibition of the preceding paragraph shall be null and invalid.
The courts shall see to the strict enforcement of this provision, and any violation thereof shall be sufficient cause for disciplinary action against the attorney by the Supreme Court.
History —Mar. 11, 1909, p. 96, § 11; Aug. 8, 1974, No. 9, Part 2, p. 609, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 63 - Bar Association of Puerto Rico (§§ 771 — 785) › § 771 - Creation

That such persons as are entitled to practice the profession of law in the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico are hereby constituted into a body corporate, or quasi public corporation under the name of Bar Association of Puerto Rico, to be domiciled in the Capital, provided a majority of such persons so decide by referendum to be held for the purpose, as hereinafter prescribed.
History —May 14, 1932, No. 43, p. 522, § 1, eff. 90 days after May 14, 1932.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 63 - Bar Association of Puerto Rico (§§ 771 — 785) › § 772 - Obligations and duties

The Bar Association of Puerto Rico shall have the following responsibilities:
(1) To continuously, equitably, and primarily defend the rights, obligations, responsibilities, and immunities of all its members.
(2) To abide by the Bill of Rights, Article II of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and those civil rights conferred by the Constitution of the United States and its laws.
(3) To comply with, as an institution, those principles or canons of ethics established for attorneys-at-law practicing in Puerto Rico.
(4) To guarantee healthy and stringent professional morals of its members.
(5) To use the funds and moneys contributed voluntarily to observe strict compliance with its duties, obligations and purposes as defined by law.
(6) To establish and create standing and transitory research and advisory committees as its Governing Board may approve, with the purpose of promoting its objectives and obligations. The sole purpose of these committees shall be to contribute with their expertise, research results, and legal analyses by means of evaluations and reports. The Bar Association of Puerto Rico shall establish these committees when so requested by executive order of the Governor of Puerto Rico and by resolution of the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico and of the Legislative Assembly. The Bar Association of Puerto Rico shall have full and absolute independence to conclude, recommend, and assume the position it believes to best serve its purposes and duties, as well as the best interests of the People of Puerto Rico.
(7) It shall not promote or use either directly or indirectly any religion or political beliefs.
History —May 14, 1932, No. 43, p. 522, § 13; Oct. 13, 2009, No. 121, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 63 - Bar Association of Puerto Rico (§§ 771 — 785) › § 774 - Voluntary membership for practicing law

It shall not be required to be a member of the Bar Association or any professional association or organization in order to practice the legal profession in Puerto Rico. The Supreme Court of Puerto Rico may, if deemed necessary, provide by resolution for membership dues to be charged, which shall not exceed two hundred dollars ($200). These dues shall be transferred in part to defray the expenses of any bona fide entity, whether existing or to be created in the future, that provides legal assistance to indigent people in civil cases, pursuant to the provisions of Section 10 of Act No. 121 of October 13, 2009.
History —May 14, 1932, No. 43, p. 522, § 3; Oct. 13, 2009, No. 121, § 2; Nov. 6, 2009, No. 135, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 63 - Bar Association of Puerto Rico (§§ 771 — 785) › § 775 - Eligibility for membership

All attorneys-at-law who are admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico and who comply with the duties hereby determined for them shall be members of the Bar Association.
History —May 14, 1932, No. 43, p. 522, § 4; Oct. 13, 2009, No. 121, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 63 - Bar Association of Puerto Rico (§§ 771 — 785) › § 776 - Government

The destinies of the Bar Association shall be governed by its general convention in the first place, and by its Board of Governors in the second.
History —May 14, 1932, No. 43, p. 522, § 5, eff. 90 days after May 14, 1932.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 63 - Bar Association of Puerto Rico (§§ 771 — 785) › § 778 - Local committees or organizations

The bylaws shall provide for district committees or local organizations to be elected or designated, and to function and perform their duties, in such manner and under such conditions as the bylaws themselves may specify; but the election or designation of such persons who shall constitute said committees or organizations shall be effected, save in case of waiver of such power, by the members of the Association residing or having offices in the respective territorial jurisdiction of said committees or organizations.
Vote shall be cast by regular or electronic mail, under the requirements set forth in the preceding section.
History —May 14, 1932, No. 43, p. 522, § 7; Nov. 6, 2009, No. 135, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 63 - Bar Association of Puerto Rico (§§ 771 — 785) › § 779 - Matters governed by regulations

The bylaws shall provide for all such matters as have not been provided in § 771—783 of this title, including everything concerning functions, duties and proceedings of all organizations and officers, calls, dates, quorums, forms and requisites of general conventions and meetings of the Governing Board; elections of directors and officers; standing committees; budgeting or expenditure of funds and disposition of property of the Bar Association; terms of all offices, creation of vacancies and manner of filling them; Provided, That, in case a second call is required for the holding of a General Convention of the Bar Association, the number of those present at such second convention shall constitute a sufficient quorum for the purpose.
History —May 14, 1932, No. 43, p. 522, § 8; June 22, 1954, No. 76, p. 386, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 63 - Bar Association of Puerto Rico (§§ 771 — 785) › § 780 - Dues

The Bar Association is hereby authorized to fix the annual dues payable by its voluntarily affiliated members, which dues shall require approval by a majority of active members after having been notified. Bar Association members shall have thirty (30) calendar days to respond to said notice. After said thirty (30)-day term has elapsed, failure to send a written response to said notice by any member shall be construed as consent to the annual dues proposed. Dues may only be modified every five (5) years. The notice for approval of such dues shall state:
(1) The amount proposed.
(2) The reasons for their modification.
(3) Said notice shall contain a statement guaranteeing the use of such funds for the legal purposes conferred by law to the Bar Association.
(4) Deadline to respond to the proposal.
(5) The right to object the same.
If a member of the Bar Association wishes to object to the dues proposed, he/she shall send [a] written response within a term of thirty (30) calendar days as of the date of the notice, and indicate the grounds for his/her objection. The objection shall be answered in writing by the Bar Association, even when the objection by itself shall not be able to affect the modification proposed unless so ordered or established by the court. Objected dues shall not be charged before sixty (60) days have elapsed from the date of notice thereof if a written objection has been filed. The only grounds to challenge the dues shall be either that such established dues contravene with the criteria and objectives of §§ 771—782 of this title or that such dues are not constitutionally sustainable. No modification to the annual dues shall be upheld if the absolute majority of active members oppose such modification.
History —May 14, 1932, No. 43, p. 522, § 9; June 21, 1962, No. 73, p. 171, § 2; Oct. 13, 2009, No. 121, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 63 - Bar Association of Puerto Rico (§§ 771 — 785) › § 781 - Suspension on failure to pay dues

Any voluntarily affiliated member who fails to pay his/her dues, though otherwise qualified as a member of the Association, shall be suspended as such member, but may be reinstated on payment of his/her debt on this account.
History —May 14, 1932, No. 43, p. 522, § 10; Oct. 13, 2009, No. 121, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 63 - Bar Association of Puerto Rico (§§ 771 — 785) › § 782 - Penalty for unauthorized practice of law

Every person who, without having been duly admitted or licensed to practice the profession as provided in §§ 771—783 of this title, or who during the suspension of such license practices as a person qualified therefor, or who announces himself as such, or who tries to lead others to believe that he is a practicing attorney, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not less than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or both penalties.
History —May 14, 1932, No. 43, p. 522, § 12; Nov. 10, 2006, No. 241, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 63 - Bar Association of Puerto Rico (§§ 771 — 785) › § 784 - Bar Association stamps—Exemption of public defenders and counsel =ib de oficio

Public defenders and counsel de oficio designated as such to act in criminal cases shall not be under obligation to affix the bar stamp to the pleadings they may file in the name and in behalf of their defendants.
History —Apr. 21, 1950, No. 77, p. 188, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 65 - Notarial Practice (§§ 811-846 — 858) › § 849 - Aid to keepers of archives of notarial districts

The sum deemed necessary to pay the custodians of the notarial districts created by § 36 of the Law Regulating Notarial Practice in Puerto Rico, to contribute to the expenses of the general keepers, to maintain adequate quarters, and for such other necessary services that may be required, shall be set aside in the general budget of regular operating expenses of the Judicial Branch.
History —May 15, 1936, No. 109, p. 578, § 1; May 15, 1937, No. 154, p. 413, § 1; May 15, 1938, No. 163, p. 345, § 1; May 11, 1943, No. 78, p. 178 § 1; May 11, 1944, No. 92, p. 200; June 18, 1980, No. 152, p. 682, § 2, eff. 90 days after June 18, 1980.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 65 - Notarial Practice (§§ 811-846 — 858) › § 849a - Monthly appropriations for keepers of archives

Without prejudice to the fees prescribed in §§ 2001 et seq. of this title, known as the “Puerto Rico Notarial Act”, regarding their schedule of fees, a monthly stipend of one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) is hereby fixed for all General Archivists of the Notarial Districts of Puerto Rico, with the exception of San Juan and Ponce, for the maintenance of adequate premises and to cover other necessary expenses. These monthly appropriations shall be consigned in the annual budget for regular operating expenses for the Judicial Branch.
History —May 15, 1936, No. 109, p. 578, § 2; May 15, 1937, No. 154, p. 413, § 2; May 31, 1967, No. 78, p. 277, § 1; June 18, 1980, No. 152, p. 682, § 2; Aug. 3, 1995, No. 105, § 1; Aug. 28, 2003, No. 207, § 1, eff. 30 days after Aug. 28. 2003.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 65 - Notarial Practice (§§ 811-846 — 858) › § 852 - Collection of fees for public documents—Documents without fixed amount; acknowledgment of natural children

Powers of attorney, minutes, and all other documents of any kind made before a notary public, in which no amount is fixed, shall pay for the original one dollar each, and for each copy, fifty (50) cents each; Provided, That for deeds the sole purpose of which is the acknowledgment of natural children, no fee whatever shall be paid either for the original or for copies thereof.
History —May 12, 1943, No. 101, p. 278, § 3, eff. 90 days after May 12, 1943.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 65 - Notarial Practice (§§ 811-846 — 858) › § 853 - Collection of fees for public documents—Exchanges; purchase and sale including mortgage

In documents of exchange, the property having the highest value among those exchanged, shall serve as a basis to determine the consideration of the document; and in the case of contracts of purchase and sale, with a mortgage on the amount deferred, the fees shall be determined on the basis of the amount of the sale, without including the amount of the mortgage securing the unpaid portion of the price.
History —May 12, 1943, No. 101, p. 278, § 4, eff. 90 days after May 12, 1943.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 65 - Notarial Practice (§§ 811-846 — 858) › § 854 - Collection of fees for public documents—Contracts of advances for agricultural purposes

The provisions of §§ 851—858 of this title shall not be applicable to the duplicate of the copy of the contracts of advances for agricultural purposes and grinding of cane which may be presented to the registrar and which are to be filed to form the record prescribed by § 7 of Act March 10, 1910, No. 37.
History —May 12, 1943, No. 101, p. 278, § 5, eff. 90 days after May 12, 1943.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 65 - Notarial Practice (§§ 811-846 — 858) › § 855 - Collection of fees for public documents—Additional exemptions

Neither shall the provisions of §§ 851—858 of this title be applicable to insurance policies, bills of lading and of land transportation, and other similar documents relative to transportation of freight (excepting transportation contracts); judicial bonds; acquittals and receipts for amounts not recorded in public documents, provided said amount is less than five hundred dollars ($500); commercial bills; passage tickets; promissory notes; drafts; checks; bills of exchange, and other negotiable instruments, according to the provisions of the Code of Commerce; nor to contracts of agricultural advances in which the loan does not exceed two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500), to which any corporation, association, or agency created by virtue of Acts of the Congress of the United States of America, or cooperative association for nonprofit purposes, organized under the laws of Puerto Rico to extend credit facilities to farmers, is a party, or intervenes directly or indirectly. Neither shall the provisions of such sections be applicable to deeds for the constitution, modification and cancellation of mortgages to secure loans granted by the retirement systems of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the University of Puerto Rico, the Water Resources Authority, the Teachers Association, or any retirement system established by any agency, instrumentality, authority or public corporation of the Commonwealth. Provided, further, That neither shall the provisions of said sections be applicable to deeds whereby the Puerto Rico Preservation Trust, as it was created and is operated under deed number 5 of January 23, 1970, before Notary Luis F. Sanchez Vilella, may acquire, transfer, encumber or alienate properties related to the purposes for which said Trust was created and organized.
History —May 12, 1943, No. 101, p. 278, § 6; May 24, 1960, No. 3, p. 3, § 1; June 2, 1976, No. 122, p. 352, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 65 - Notarial Practice (§§ 811-846 — 858) › § 856 - Collection of fees of public documents—False statements of consideration involved

Every false statement maliciously made by any of those appearing, in one of the documents or instruments included in §§ 851—858 of this title, in regard to the consideration involved, shall be punishable by imprisonment in the municipal jail for a period of from one to five (5) days, or by a fine of not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25).
History —May 12, 1943, No. 101, p. 278, § 7, eff. 90 days after May 12, 1943.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 65 - Notarial Practice (§§ 811-846 — 858) › § 857 - Collection of fees of public documents—Documents without stamps not admitted in courts and public offices

From and after the date on which this act takes effect, there shall not be admitted in any court or public office of Puerto Rico any of the documents or instruments covered by §§ 851—858 of this title, on which there have not been affixed and cancelled internal revenue stamps for the values fixed by said sections.
History —May 12, 1943, No. 101, p. 278, § 8, eff. 90 days after May 12, 1943.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 65 - Notarial Practice (§§ 811-846 — 858) › § 858 - Collection of fees of public documents—Interest, costs and attorney’s fees excluded from amount

In computing the consideration of the documents to which §§ 851—858 of this title refer, there shall not be included additional credits for interest, moratorium interest, or of costs and attorney’s fees guaranteed by the contract.
History —May 12, 1943, No. 101, p. 278, § 9, eff. 90 days after May 12, 1943.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 67 - Administration and Registry of Affidavits, Oaths, Etc (§§ 881 — 899) › § 881 - Administration of oaths, affidavits, and affirmations—Mode; perjury

All oaths, affidavits and affirmations shall be administered in the mode most binding upon the conscience of the individual taking the same, and shall be taken subject to the pains and penalties of perjury.
History —Mar. 12, 1903, p. 39, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 67 - Administration and Registry of Affidavits, Oaths, Etc (§§ 881 — 899) › § 882 - Administration of oaths, affidavits, and affirmations—Officers authorized to administer, in Puerto Rico

All oaths, affidavits and affirmations, that are necessary or convenient, or required by law, may be administered within Puerto Rico, and certificates given thereof, by any judge of the Supreme Court, or of the Circuit Court of Appeals, of the Court of First Instance, or any clerk of the said courts, or any notary public, or any Commissioner of the United States for the District of Puerto Rico; Provided, That the prosecuting attorney of the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico is likewise authorized by §§ 881—885 of this title to administer oaths in such cases in which the law permits prosecuting attorneys of the Court of First Instance to administer them, whenever by special delegation or substitution of any such prosecuting attorney of the Court of First Instance he shall conduct any investigation especially instrusted by law to said prosecuting attorneys of the Court of First Instance.
History —Mar. 12, 1903, p. 39, § 2; Mar. 8, 1904, p. 151, § 1; Mar. 9, 1910, No. 13, p. 77, § 1; June 6, 2000, No. 90, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 67 - Administration and Registry of Affidavits, Oaths, Etc (§§ 881 — 899) › § 883 - Administration of oaths, affidavits, and affirmations—Writing and signature of affidavits

All affidavits provided by §§ 881—885 of this title shall be in writing and signed by the party making the same.
History —Mar. 12, 1903, p. 39, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 67 - Administration and Registry of Affidavits, Oaths, Etc (§§ 881 — 899) › § 884 - Administration of oaths, affidavits, and affirmations—Affidavits within and without Puerto Rico

Affidavits may be made before either of the following officers who are authorized to take such affidavits and give a certificate thereof:
(1) If taken within Puerto Rico before the officers named in § 882 of this title.
(2) If taken without Puerto Rico and within the United States before any clerk of a court of record having a seal, any notary public, or any commissioner of deeds, duly appointed under the laws of Puerto Rico, within some state or territory.
(3) If without the United States, before any notary public, or any minister, commissioner, or charge d’affaires of the United States resident in, and accredited to, the country where the affidavit may be taken; or any consul general, vice consul general, consul, vice consul, commercial agent, vice commercial agent, deputy consul or consular agent of the United States in such country, or any commissioner of deeds, duly appointed under the laws of Puerto Rico, within such country.
History —Mar. 12, 1903, p. 39, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 67 - Administration and Registry of Affidavits, Oaths, Etc (§§ 881 — 899) › § 885 - Administration of oaths, affidavits, and affirmations—Other provisions of law

Oaths and affirmations may also be administered and affidavits taken and certificates given thereof as in other cases, and by such other officers as are or may be prescribed by law.
History —Mar. 12, 1903, p. 39, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 67 - Administration and Registry of Affidavits, Oaths, Etc (§§ 881 — 899) › § 886 - Administration of oaths, affidavits, and affirmations—Administration of oaths and affirmations by district court clerks

The clerks of the District Court are hereby authorized and empowered to administer all oaths and affirmations that may be necessary or proper, or that the law may require.
History —Mar. 8, 1906, p. 153, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 67 - Administration and Registry of Affidavits, Oaths, Etc (§§ 881 — 899) › § 890 - Officers who may authorize affidavits or declarations

All notaries, Supreme Court justices, judges of the Court of First Instance, municipal judges, prosecutors, justices of the peace, the Secretary of State, the heads of the departments and the municipal treasurers shall authorize affidavits or declarations; but only notaries may authorize such affidavits and declarations when they have reference to facts, acts or contracts of a purely private nature; Provided, however, That municipal treasurers shall be authorized only and exclusively to administer oaths in those cases where required under Act No. 26 of March 28, 1914, with reference to certificates for industrial and commercial license taxes; Provided, further, That in towns where there is no notary with an open office, the district judges and justices of the peace may take affidavits, in which this fact shall appear, on recognition of signatures on instruments of credit and contracts of a private nature, the amount of which does not exceed two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500).
The foregoing provisions shall not be so construed as to leave without effect any law in force under which authority is granted to other public officials, not mentioned in §§ 887—895 of this title, to take affidavits, oaths and affirmations, which authorizations shall remain in full force.
History —Mar. 12, 1908, p. 39, § 4; May 22, 1919, No. 13, p. 122, § 1; July 30, 1923, No. 72, p. 546; June 5, 1956, No. 26, p. 76, § 1; July 6, 1985, No. 77, p. 256, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 67 - Administration and Registry of Affidavits, Oaths, Etc (§§ 881 — 899) › § 892 - Registries kept by other officers

A similar registry shall be kept by all other officers herein designated in § 1 of Act Mar. 12, 1908 and §§ 890, 892, 892a, 894 and 895 of this title.
History —Mar. 12, 1908, p. 39, § 6, eff. May 1, 1908.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 67 - Administration and Registry of Affidavits, Oaths, Etc (§§ 881 — 899) › § 892a - Registry of affidavits or declarations of authenticity—Indexes

The Judges of the Circuit Court of Appeals and of the Court of First Instance shall forward to the Administrative Director of the Office of Courts Administration or to the Director of the Office of Notarial Inspection of Puerto Rico, if so delegated by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, a monthly index of the affidavits or statements authorized by each of them, not later than the tenth (10th) calendar day of the month following the month that is reported, stating the ordinal number of each affidavit or statement in the register to which the preceding section refers, the names of the grantors, the names of the witnesses, and in the pertinent case, the date of the execution and the purpose of the action. The prosecutors shall forward a report to the Office of the Secretary of Justice at the end of each month, with the same information on the sworn statements given before them.
The Administrative Director of the Office of Courts Administration shall report to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court any violations of the provisions of this section. Such cases shall be dealt with according to the provisions of § 23b of this title. The Secretary of Justice shall likewise ascertain the faithful compliance of this provision with respect to the prosecutors. The reports submitted by these officials shall not be deemed to be public documents while no claim or accusation has been filed before a court, if the affidavits or statements had relevancy to a criminal case or investigation.
History —Mar. 12, 1908, p. 39, added as § 6A on June 20, 1961, No. 87, p. 166, § 1; July 6, 1985, No. 77, p. 256, § 2; Dec. 18, 1991, No. 99, § 1; Aug. 14, 1997, No. 79, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 67 - Administration and Registry of Affidavits, Oaths, Etc (§§ 881 — 899) › § 894 - Unrecorded affidavit or declaration void

Any affidavit or declaration not recorded in the Registry, or not included in the corresponding indice shall be null.
History —Mar. 12, 1908, p. 39, § 8, eff. May 1, 1908.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 67 - Administration and Registry of Affidavits, Oaths, Etc (§§ 881 — 899) › § 895 - Exemption of certain declarations

There shall not be deemed to be included in §§ 887—895 of this title any declarations in judicial, or administrative proceedings, made before judges or officers of any capacity, in matters under their jurisdiction.
History —Mar. 12, 1908, p. 39, § 9, eff. May 1, 1908.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 67 - Administration and Registry of Affidavits, Oaths, Etc (§§ 881 — 899) › § 896 - Legal Aid Society Stamp—Creation

For each sworn statement or affidavit executed, every notary shall have the duty to cancel a five dollar ($5.00) stamp to be adopted and issued by the Legal Aid Society. The Secretary of the Treasury is hereby empowered to adopt and issue Legal Aid Society stamps electronically, or to establish other collection mechanisms that shall serve the same purpose as the stamp issued by said Society in accordance with this Act.
History —June 4, 1982, No. 47, p. 95, § 1; Dec. 14, 1991, No. 94, § 1; Jan. 19, 1998, No. 35, § 1; Aug. 12, 1999, No. 231, § 1; Dec. 13, 2007, No. 196, § 18; May 8, 2012, No. 83, § 1, eff. 180 days after May 8, 2012.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART IV - Law and Notarial Practice (§§ 721 — 1001-1040) › Chapter 67 - Administration and Registry of Affidavits, Oaths, Etc (§§ 881 — 899) › § 897 - Legal Aid Society stamp—Adhesion and cancellation, duty of notary

The Legal Aid Society stamp shall consist of two identically numbered stamps. The notary shall affix one of the stamps to the margin of the corresponding note of each testimony or affidavit included in his/her register and shall cancel the same with his/her notarial seal or with a clear and visible mark. Furthermore, he/she shall affix the other Legal Aid Society stamp to the affidavit or testimony and shall cancel the same with his/her notarial seal or with a clear and visible mark. The notary may pay for the fees corresponding to the stamp by electronic means, according to the procedure to be approved through regulations by the Secretary of the Treasury upon consulting the Legal Aid Society.
History —June 4, 1982, No. 47, p. 95, § 2; Jan. 19, 1998, No. 35, § 2; Dec. 13, 2007, No. 196, § 19; Jan. 2, 2012, No. 8, § 1, eff. 180 days after Jan. 4, 2012.