reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 245 - Different Kinds of Obligations (§§ 3041 — 3134) › Subchapter IV - Several and Joint Obligations (§§ 3101 — 3112) › § 3109 - Payment by one of joint debtors

The payment made by any of the joint debtors extinguishes the obligation.
The person who made the payment can only claim from his codebtors the shares pertaining to each one with interest on the amounts advanced.
The nonfulfilment of the obligation by reason of the insolvency of a joint debtor shall be made good by his codebtors in proportion to the debt of each of them.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1098.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 245 - Different Kinds of Obligations (§§ 3041 — 3134) › Subchapter IV - Several and Joint Obligations (§§ 3101 — 3112) › § 3110 - Waiver or remission of part affecting one of joint debtors

The waiver or remission made by the creditor of the part affecting one of the joint debtors does not release the latter from his liability with regard to the codebtors in case the debt should have been paid in full by any of them.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1099.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 245 - Different Kinds of Obligations (§§ 3041 — 3134) › Subchapter IV - Several and Joint Obligations (§§ 3101 — 3112) › § 3111 - Effect if thing perishes or prestation becomes impossible

If the thing should have perished, or the prestation should have become impossible, without any fault of the joint debtors, the obligation shall be extinguished.
If there should have been any fault on the part of any of them, all shall be liable with regard to the creditor for the value and the indemnity for damages and payment of interest, without prejudice to his action against the culpable or negligent person.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1100.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 245 - Different Kinds of Obligations (§§ 3041 — 3134) › Subchapter IV - Several and Joint Obligations (§§ 3101 — 3112) › § 3112 - Exceptions by joint debtor against claim of creditor

A joint debtor may utilize, against the claim of the creditor, all the exceptions arising from the nature of the obligation and those which are personal to him. Those personally pertaining to the others may be employed by him only with regard to the share of the debt for which the latter may be liable.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1101.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 245 - Different Kinds of Obligations (§§ 3041 — 3134) › Subchapter V - Divisible and Indivisible Obligations (§§ 3121 — 3124) › § 3121 - Effect of divisibility or indivisibility

The divisibility or indivisibility of things, the object of obligations, in which there is one debtor and one creditor, does not change nor modify the provisions of §§ 3011 et seq. of this title.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1102.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 245 - Different Kinds of Obligations (§§ 3041 — 3134) › Subchapter V - Divisible and Indivisible Obligations (§§ 3121 — 3124) › § 3122 - Indivisible several obligation

An indivisible several obligation is determined by indemnifying for losses and damages from the time any of the debtors fails to comply therewith. The debtors who may have been disposed to perform their obligations shall only contribute to the indemnity a sum equivalent to the corresponding portion of the value of the thing or of the service of which the obligation may consist.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1103.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 245 - Different Kinds of Obligations (§§ 3041 — 3134) › Subchapter V - Divisible and Indivisible Obligations (§§ 3121 — 3124) › § 3123 - Obligations considered indivisible

For the purposes of §§ 3121 and 3122 of this title the obligations to give specified things and all those which are not capable of partial fulfilments shall be considered as indivisible.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1104.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 245 - Different Kinds of Obligations (§§ 3041 — 3134) › Subchapter V - Divisible and Indivisible Obligations (§§ 3121 — 3124) › § 3124 - Obligations of doing; of not doing

The obligations of doing shall be divisible when their purpose is the presentation of a number or days of work, the execution of works by units of measurement, or other similar things which by reason of their nature are capable of partial fulfilment.
In obligations of not doing the divisibility or indivisibility shall be decided by the character of the prestation in each particular case.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1105.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 245 - Different Kinds of Obligations (§§ 3041 — 3134) › Subchapter VI - Obligations With a Penal Clause (§§ 3131 — 3134) › § 3131 - Effect of penal clause; when enforceable

In obligations with a penal clause the penalty shall substitute indemnity for damages and the payment of interest in case of nonfulfilments, should there be no agreement to the contrary.
This penalty can only be enforced when it is demandable in accordance with the provisions of this title.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1106.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 245 - Different Kinds of Obligations (§§ 3041 — 3134) › Subchapter VI - Obligations With a Penal Clause (§§ 3131 — 3134) › § 3132 - Payment of penalty

The debtor cannot exempt himself from the fulfilment of the obligation by paying the penalty, unless such right has been expressly reserved to him. Neither may the creditor exact the fulfilment of the obligation and also the payment of the penalty, unless such right has been clearly granted him.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1107.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 245 - Different Kinds of Obligations (§§ 3041 — 3134) › Subchapter VI - Obligations With a Penal Clause (§§ 3131 — 3134) › § 3133 - Modification of penalty

The court of judge shall equitably modify the penalty if the principal obligation should have been partly or irregularly fulfilled by the debtor.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1108.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 245 - Different Kinds of Obligations (§§ 3041 — 3134) › Subchapter VI - Obligations With a Penal Clause (§§ 3131 — 3134) › § 3134 - Nullity of penal clause; of principal obligation

The nullity of the penal clause does not carry with it that of the principal obligation.
The nullity of the principal obligation carries with it that of the penal clause.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1109.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter Preliminary - General Provisions (§ 3151) › § 3151 - How obligations extinguished

Obligations are extinguished:
By their payment or fulfilment.
By the loss of the thing due.
By the remission of the debt.
By the merging of the rights of the creditor and debtor.
By compensation.
By novation.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1110.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter I - Payment (§§ 3161 — 3185) › § 3161 - When debt is considered paid

A debt shall not be considered as paid until the full amount of the thing has been delivered, or the prestation of which the obligation consisted has been made.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1111.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter I - Payment (§§ 3161 — 3185) › § 3162 - Who may make payment; recovery from debtor

Any person, whether he has an interest or not in the fulfilment of the obligation, and whether the debtor knows and approves it or is not aware thereof, can make the payment.
The person paying for the account of another may recover from the debtor what he may have paid, unless he has done it against his express will.
In such case he can only recover from the debtor insofar as the payment has been useful to him.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1112.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter I - Payment (§§ 3161 — 3185) › § 3163 - Payment in name of debtor without his knowledge

A person paying in the name of the debtor, without the knowledge of the latter, cannot compel the creditor to subrogate him in his rights.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1113.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter I - Payment (§§ 3161 — 3185) › § 3164 - Payment by person without free disposal of thing due; liability of creditor

In obligations to give, the payment made by a person not having the free disposal of the thing due, and capacity to convey it, shall not be valid.
However, if the payment should have consisted in a sum of money or in a thing perishable, no action can be brought against the creditor who may have spent or consumed it in good faith.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1114.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter I - Payment (§§ 3161 — 3185) › § 3165 - Acceptance of prestation or services of third party

In obligations of doing, the creditor cannot be compelled to receive the prestation or the services from a third party, when the quality and circumstances of the person of the debtor should have been taken into account in establishing the obligation.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1115.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter I - Payment (§§ 3161 — 3185) › § 3166 - To whom payment made

Payment must be made to the person in whose favor the obligation is constituted, or to another authorized to receive it in his name.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1116.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter I - Payment (§§ 3161 — 3185) › § 3167 - Payment to incapacitated person; to third person

The payment made to a person who is incapacitated from managing his property shall be valid insofar as it may have been employed for his benefit.
A payment made to a third person shall also be valid insofar as it may have been beneficial to the creditor.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1117.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter I - Payment (§§ 3161 — 3185) › § 3168 - Payment in good faith to possessor of credit

A payment made in good faith to the person who is in possession of the credit shall release the debtor.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1118.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter I - Payment (§§ 3161 — 3185) › § 3169 - Payment after order to retain debt

A payment made by the debtor to the creditor after he has been judicially ordered to retain the debt shall not be valid
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1119.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter I - Payment (§§ 3161 — 3185) › § 3170 - Substitution of thing or prestation

The debtor of a thing cannot oblige his creditor to receive a different one, even though it should be of equal or greater value to that due.
Neither in obligations of doing can a prestation be substituted by another against the will of the creditor.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1120.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter I - Payment (§§ 3161 — 3185) › § 3171 - Quality of unspecified or generic thing

If the obligation should consist in the delivery of a thing, not specified or generic, the quality and circumstances of which should not have been expressed, the creditor cannot exact one of a superior quality nor can the debtor deliver one of an inferior quality.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1121.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter I - Payment (§§ 3161 — 3185) › § 3172 - Expenses of payment

Extrajudicial expenses arising from the payment shall be charged to the debtor. With regard to judicial expenses the court shall decide in accordance with the law of civil procedure.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1122.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter I - Payment (§§ 3161 — 3185) › § 3173 - Partial payment

Unless the contract expressly authorizes it the creditor cannot be compelled to partially receive the prestations of which the obligation consists.
However, should the debt be in part determined and in part undetermined, the creditor may exact and the debtor may make payment of the former without awaiting for the liquidation of the latter.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1123.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter I - Payment (§§ 3161 — 3185) › § 3174 - Payment of debts of money

Payments of debts of money shall be made in the specie stipulated and, should it not be possible to deliver the specie, in legal silver or gold coin current in Puerto Rico.
The delivery of promissory notes to order or drafts or other commercial paper shall only produce the effects of payment when collected or when, by the fault of the creditor, their value has been affected.
In the meantime the action arising from the original obligation shall be suspended.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1124.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter I - Payment (§§ 3161 — 3185) › § 3175 - Place of payment

Payments shall be made at the place designated in the obligation.
Should it not have been designated, and when a determined thing is to be delivered, the payment shall be made at the place where the thing existed at the time of constituting the obligation.
In any other case the place of payment shall be that of the domicile of the debtor.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1125.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter I - Payment (§§ 3161 — 3185) › § 3176 - Application of payments — declaration of debtor

A person having several debts of the same kind in favor of a single creditor may declare, at the time of making a payment, to which of them it is to be applied.
If the debtor should accept a receipt from the creditor, setting forth the application of the payment, he cannot make a claim against it, unless there should be some cause which may invalidate the contract.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1126.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter I - Payment (§§ 3161 — 3185) › § 3177 - Payment—Interest bearing debt

If the debt bears interest the payment cannot be considered as made on account of the principal until the interest is covered.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1127.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter I - Payment (§§ 3161 — 3185) › § 3178 - Payment—Most onerous debt; pro rata

When the payment cannot be applied according to the preceding rules the debt which is most onerous for the debtor among those which may be due shall be considered as the one paid.
If the latter should have the same nature and charges the payment shall be applied to all pro rata.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1128.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter I - Payment (§§ 3161 — 3185) › § 3179 - Payment by assignment of property

The debtor may assign his property to creditors in payment of his debts. This assignment releases the former from liability only to the net amount of the property assigned, unless there is an agreement to the contrary. Agreements entered into between the debtor and his creditors with regard to the effect of an assignment shall be made in accordance with the provisions of §§ 5171 et seq. of this title and with those of the Law of Civil Procedure.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1129.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter I - Payment (§§ 3161 — 3185) › § 3180 - Tender of payment and consignation

If the creditor to whom the tender of payment has been made should refuse to accept it, without reason, the debtor shall remain released from all liability by the consignation of the thing due.
The same effect shall be produced by the consignation alone when made in the absence of the creditor, or when the latter should be incapacitated to accept the payment when it is due, and when several persons claim to have a right to collect it, or when the instrument mentioning the obligation has been mislaid.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1130.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter I - Payment (§§ 3161 — 3185) › § 3181 - Payment—Notice of consignation required

In order that the consignation of the thing due may release the obligor, notice thereof must previously be given to the persons interested in the fulfilment of the obligation.
Consignation shall have no effect when not strictly in accordance with the provisions governing payment.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1131.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter I - Payment (§§ 3161 — 3185) › § 3182 - Payment—How consignation made

Consignation shall be made by depositing the things due at the disposal of the judicial authority before whom the tender shall be proven in a proper case and the notice of the consignation in other cases.
After the consignation has been made the persons interested shall also be notified thereof.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1132.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter I - Payment (§§ 3161 — 3185) › § 3183 - Payment—Expenses of consignation

The expenses of the consignation, when proper, shall be charged to the creditor.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1133.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter I - Payment (§§ 3161 — 3185) › § 3184 - Payment—Cancellation of obligation; withdrawal of consignation

After the consignation has been duly made the debtor may request the court or judge to order the cancellation of the obligation.
Until the creditor may accept the consignation or a judicial decision should be rendered that it was properly done, the debtor may withdraw the thing or amount consigned, leaving the obligation in force.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1134.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter I - Payment (§§ 3161 — 3185) › § 3185 - Payment—Consent by creditor to withdrawal

If, after the consignation has been made, the creditor should authorize the debtor to withdraw it, the former shall lose the preference he may have in the thing. The codebtors and sureties shall be released.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1135.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter II - Loss of Thing Due (§§ 3191 — 3195) › § 3191 - When loss extinguishes obligation

An obligation, consisting in the delivery of a specified thing, shall be extinguished when said thing should be lost or destroyed without fault of the debtor and before he should be in default.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1136.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter II - Loss of Thing Due (§§ 3191 — 3195) › § 3192 - Presumption of loss by fault of debtor

Whenever the thing should be lost, when in the possession of the debtor, it shall be presumed that the loss occurred by his fault and not by a fortuitous event, unless there is proof to the contrary and without prejudice to the provisions of § 3013 of this title.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1137.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter II - Loss of Thing Due (§§ 3191 — 3195) › § 3193 - Impossibility of prestation releases debtor

In obligations to do, the debtor shall also be released when the prestation appears to be legally or physically impossible.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1138.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter II - Loss of Thing Due (§§ 3191 — 3195) › § 3194 - Debt arising from crime or misdemeanor

When the debt for a certain and specified thing arises from a crime or misdemeanor, the debtor shall not be exempted from the payment of its value, whatever the cause of the loss may have been, unless, having offered the thing to the person who should have received it, the latter should have refused to accept it without reason.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1139.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter II - Loss of Thing Due (§§ 3191 — 3195) › § 3195 - Actions by creditor after extinction of obligation by loss

After the obligation is extinguished by the loss of the thing, all the actions which the debtor may have against third persons, by reason thereof shall pertain to the creditor.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1140.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter III - Remission of Debts (§§ 3201 — 3205) › § 3201 - Express or implied remission; provisions governing

A remission may be made either expressly or by implication.
Both shall be subject to the provisions governing illegal gifts. An express remission must, furthermore, conform to the forms of a gift.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1141.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter III - Remission of Debts (§§ 3201 — 3205) › § 3202 - Surrender of private instrument proving credit

The surrender, made voluntarily by a creditor to his debtor, of a private instrument proving a credit, implies the renunciation of the action which the former had against the latter.
If in order to invalidate this renunciation, it should be claimed that it is illegal, the debtor and his heirs may support it by proving that the delivery of the instrument was made by virtue of the payment of the debt.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1142.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter III - Remission of Debts (§§ 3201 — 3205) › § 3203 - Remission of debts—Presumption from possession by debtor

Whenever the private instrument from which the debt appears should be in the possession of the debtor, it shall be presumed that the creditor delivered it of his own will, unless the contrary is proven.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1143.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter III - Remission of Debts (§§ 3201 — 3205) › § 3204 - Remission of principal debt; of accessory obligations

The remission of the principal debt shall extinguish the accessory obligations; but the remission of the latter shall leave the former in force.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1144.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter III - Remission of Debts (§§ 3201 — 3205) › § 3205 - Accessory obligation of a pledge

The accessory obligation of a pledge shall be considered as remitted, when the thing pledged after having been delivered to the creditor, should be in the possession of the debtor.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1145.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter IV - Confusion of Rights (§§ 3211 — 3213) › § 3211 - Merger of creditor and debtor in same person

Whenever the characters of creditor and debtor are merged in the same person, the obligation is extinguished.
The case in which this confusion take[s] place by virtue of inheritance is excepted, if said inheritance should have been accepted under benefit of inventory.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1146.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter IV - Confusion of Rights (§§ 3211 — 3213) › § 3212 - When confusion benefits sureties

The confusion which takes place in the person of the debtor or of the principal creditor is beneficial to the sureties. That taking place in any of the latter does not extinguish the obligation.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1147.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter IV - Confusion of Rights (§§ 3211 — 3213) › § 3213 - Effect of confusion on debts in severalty

Confusion does not extinguish debts in severalty, except with regard to the part pertaining to the creditor or debtor in whom both characters are merged.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1148.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter V - Compensation (§§ 3221 — 3228) › § 3221 - When compensation takes place

Compensation shall take place when two (2) persons, in their own right, are mutually creditors and debtors of each other.
—Civil Code, 1930, § 1149.
History
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter V - Compensation (§§ 3221 — 3228) › § 3222 - Requisites

In order that compensation may be proper, it is required:
(1) That each of the persons bound should be so principally, and that he be at the same time the principal creditor of the other.
(2) That both debts consist of a sum of money or, when the things due are perishable, that they be of the same kind and also of the same quality, if the latter should have been stipulated.
(3) That both debts are due.
(4) That they be determined and demandable.
(5) That none of them is subject to any retention or suit instituted by a third person, and of which due notice has been given the debtor.
—Civil Code, 1930, § 1150.
History
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter V - Compensation (§§ 3221 — 3228) › § 3223 - Compensation in favor of surety

Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding section, the surety may oppose compensation with regard to what the creditor may owe his principal debtor.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1151.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter V - Compensation (§§ 3221 — 3228) › § 3224 - Assignment of rights

A debtor who may have consented to the assignment of rights made by a creditor in favor of a third person, cannot oppose, against the assignee, the compensation which should pertain to him against the assignor.
If the creditor gave him notice of the assignment and the debtor did not consent thereto, he may oppose compensation for prior debts, but not for subsequent ones.
If the assignment is made without knowledge of the debtor, he may oppose compensation for prior credits, and for subsequent ones, until he should have been informed of the assignment.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1152.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter V - Compensation (§§ 3221 — 3228) › § 3225 - Debts payable in different places

Debts payable in different places may be compensated by an indemnity for the expenses of transportation or for the exchange at the place of payment.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1153.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter V - Compensation (§§ 3221 — 3228) › § 3226 - Debts arising from deposits; support

Compensation shall not be proper when any of the debts arise from a deposit, or from the obligations of the depositary or borrower.
Neither can it be set off to the creditor for support due by reason of a good consideration.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1154.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter V - Compensation (§§ 3221 — 3228) › § 3227 - Order of compensation among several debts

When a person should have different debts, which may be compensated, the provisions relating to the imputation of payments shall be observed in the order of compensation.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1155.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter V - Compensation (§§ 3221 — 3228) › § 3228 - Effect of compensation

The effect of compensation is to extinguish both debts to the concurrent amount, even when the creditors and debtors have no knowledge thereof.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1156.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter VI - Novation (§§ 3241 — 3251) › § 3241 - Modification of obligations

Obligations may be modified:
(1) By the change of their object or principal conditions.
(2) By substituting the person of the debtor.
(3) By subrogating a third person in the rights of the creditor.
—Civil Code, 1930, § 1157.
History
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter VI - Novation (§§ 3241 — 3251) › § 3242 - Extinction of one obligation by another

In order that an obligation may be extinguished by another which substitutes it, it is necessary that it should be so expressly declared, or that the old and new be incompatible in all points.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1158.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter VI - Novation (§§ 3241 — 3251) › § 3243 - Novation without knowledge of original debtor; consent of creditor

Novation, consisting in the substitution of a debtor in the place of the original one, may be made without the knowledge of the latter, but not without the consent of the creditor.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1159.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter VI - Novation (§§ 3241 — 3251) › § 3244 - Insolvency of new debtor

The insolvency of the new debtor, who may have been accepted by the creditor, shall not revive the action of the latter against the original debtor, unless said insolvency may have been prior, public, and known to the debtor when he transferred his debt.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1160.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter VI - Novation (§§ 3241 — 3251) › § 3245 - Effect of novation upon accessory obligation

When the principal obligation is extinguished by reason of the novation, the accessory obligation shall only remain in force insofar as they benefit third persons who have not given their consent thereto.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1161.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter VI - Novation (§§ 3241 — 3251) › § 3246 - Nullity of original obligation

Novation is void if the original obligation is also so, unless the cause of nullity can be claimed by the debtor only, or the ratification gives validity to acts which were void in their origin.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1162.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter VI - Novation (§§ 3241 — 3251) › § 3247 - Subrogation of third person in rights of creditor

The subrogation of a third person in the rights of a creditor cannot be presumed, except in the cases expressly mentioned in this title.
In other cases it shall be necessary to prove it clearly in order that it may be effective.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1163.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter VI - Novation (§§ 3241 — 3251) › § 3248 - When subrogation presumed

Subrogation shall be presumed:
(1) When a creditor pays another preferred creditor.
(2) When a third person, who is not interested in the obligation, pays with the express or implied approval of the debtor.
(3) When the person who is interested in the fulfilment of the obligation pays, without prejudice to the effects of the confusion with regard to the share pertaining to him.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1164.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter VI - Novation (§§ 3241 — 3251) › § 3249 - Subrogation by debtor without consent of creditor

A debtor may make the subrogation without the consent of the creditor when, in order to pay the debt, he may have borrowed money in a public instrument, stating his purpose and setting forth in the receipt the origin of the sum paid.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1165.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter VI - Novation (§§ 3241 — 3251) › § 3250 - Subrogation transfers rights with credit

Subrogation transfers to the subrogated the credit, with the corresponding rights, either against the debtor or against third persons, be they sureties or holders of mortgages.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1166.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 247 - Extinction of Obligations (§§ 3151 — 3251) › Subchapter VI - Novation (§§ 3241 — 3251) › § 3251 - Preference to person subrogated by partial payment

A creditor to whom a partial payment has been made may exercise his right with regard to the balance, with reference to the person subrogated in his place by virtue of the partial payment of the said credit.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1167.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 249 - Proof of Obligations (§§ 3261 — 3344) › Subchapter Preliminary - General Provisions (§§ 3261 — 3262) › § 3261 - Burden of proof of obligations and their extinction

Proof of obligations devolves upon the persons claiming their fulfilment, and that of their extinction upon those opposing it.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1168.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 249 - Proof of Obligations (§§ 3261 — 3344) › Subchapter Preliminary - General Provisions (§§ 3261 — 3262) › § 3262 - Methods of proof

Proofs may be given by instruments, by confession, by the personal inspection of the court or judge, by experts, by witnesses, and by presumptions.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1169.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 249 - Proof of Obligations (§§ 3261 — 3344) › Subchapter I - Public and Private Instruments (§§ 3271 — 3285) › § 3271 - Public instruments — Definition

Public instruments are those authenticated by a notary or by a competent public official, with the formalities required.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1170.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 249 - Proof of Obligations (§§ 3261 — 3344) › Subchapter I - Public and Private Instruments (§§ 3271 — 3285) › § 3272 - Public instruments—Instruments in which notary public takes part

Instruments in which a notary public takes part shall be governed by the Notarial Law.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1171.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 249 - Proof of Obligations (§§ 3261 — 3344) › Subchapter I - Public and Private Instruments (§§ 3271 — 3285) › § 3273 - Public instruments—Evidence of public instruments

Public instruments are evidence, even against a third person, of the fact which gave rise to their execution and of the date of the latter.
They shall also be evidence against the contracting parties and their legal representatives with regard to the declarations the former may have made therein.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1172.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 249 - Proof of Obligations (§§ 3261 — 3344) › Subchapter I - Public and Private Instruments (§§ 3271 — 3285) › § 3274 - Public instruments—Effect against third parties

Public instruments, made for the purpose of impairing a former instrument, between the same parties, shall be effective against third parties only when the contents of the former should have been entered in the proper public registry or in the margin of the original instrument, and in that of the transcript of copy, by virtue of which the third person may have acted.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1173.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 249 - Proof of Obligations (§§ 3261 — 3344) › Subchapter I - Public and Private Instruments (§§ 3271 — 3285) › § 3275 - Public instruments—Copies of public instruments

Copies of public instruments of which there is an original or protocol, contested by those they prejudice, shall have force of proof only when they have been duly collated.
Should there be any difference between the original and the copy the contents of the former shall govern.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1174.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-ONE - Civil Code (§§ 1 — 5305) › Subtitle 4 - Obligations and Contracts (§§ 2991 — 5305) › PART I - Obligations (§§ 2991 — 3344) › Chapter 249 - Proof of Obligations (§§ 3261 — 3344) › Subchapter I - Public and Private Instruments (§§ 3271 — 3285) › § 3276 - Public instruments—Evidence when original, protocol, and record have disappeared

Should the original instrument, the protocol, and the original record have disappeared, the following shall constitute evidence:
(1) First copies made by the public official who authenticated them.
(2) Subsequent copies issued by virtue of a judicial mandate, after citing the persons interested.
(3) Those which, without a judicial mandate, may have been taken in the presence of the persons interested and with their consent.
In the absence of the said copies, any other copies, thirty (30) or more years old, shall be evidence, provided they have been taken from the original by the official who authenticated them or by any other in charge of their custody.
Copies less than thirty (30) years old, or which may be authenticated by a public official, in which the circumstances mentioned in the preceding paragraph do not concur, shall serve only as a basis of written evidence.
The force of proof of copies of a copy shall be weighed by the courts according to the circumstances.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1175.