Category Archives: Blog

Q&A in Labor matters regarding the Coronavirus COVID-19 in Honduras

In light of the national emergency we are living caused by the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), at BLP we have developed this communication to hep inform our clients on the most important factors to take into consideration in the workplace for their companies. Starting Sunday, March 15 at 11:59 pm, the Honduran Government decreed…

Handling of personal data of COVID-19 carriers

Faced with the pandemic of the COVID-19 virus, many companies will inevitably have cases of employees and/or clients affected by the virus. Some of these cases may be detected with appropriate measures to react effectively and prevent further harm. These preventive measures necessarily involve obtaining and managing personal information from potential affected persons. For this,…

FAQ: Suspension of Employment Contracts in Costa Rica for COVID-19

As a consequence of the situation we are experiencing related to COVID-19, companies have taken a series of measures to try to avoid definitive dismissal of employees or even the complete cessation of operations. Among those measures is the suspension of employment contracts. Below we present in question and answer format, the most important issues…

Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its effect on business in Central America

Travel, retail, cross-border transportation, manufacturing, agribusiness, and investment, in general terms, have been heavily impacted by health threats of the Coronavirus. Chinese companies have encountered unforeseen situations that make them unable to comply with contractual obligations leading to inevitable default in economic obligations. Unfortunately, the worldwide situation may become as bad or worse. The number…

Organizational preventive measures applicable in labor relations in Costa Rica.

Given the accelerated global impact that the proliferation of the COVID-19 virus has generated, the need has arisen for organizations and work centers to implement preventive measures, where clear action protocols are established. On Thursday March 12, BLP held the webinar “Consejos legales para enfrentar al Coronavirus”, to share the fundamental aspects that your company must take…

Which law firms do Latin America’s biggest companies like best?

Competition between law firms is tough. With so many options to choose from, window shopping has become the norm for many GCs looking for external counsel in Latin America. Loyalty is important to GCs, but legal teams are not afraid to shake things up and shop around for the best fit for their company. The…

New Benefits for the Oil Industry in Nicaragua

Law No. 1,012, published on 12-19-2019, reforms the articles of Law No. 286 Special Law on Exploration and Exploitation of Hydrocarbons. Law No. 286 is the norm that regulates the exploration, drilling and other activities related to the search and potential extraction of oil, gas and other hydrocarbons in Nicaraguan territory. The main objective of…

New Benefits for the Energy Industry in Nicaragua

Nicaragua’s Energy Industry was recently reformed by publication in the Official Gazette of Law 1,011 that amends Article 32 of Law 272, Law of the Electricity Industry. The amendment creates an exemption from all taxes on an activity that meets the following conditions: Sale of Electric Power, made by a Distributed Generator, to the Distribution…

Law for the Strengthening of the Competition Authorities in Costa Rica

On August 29, the Law for the Strengthening of the Competition Authorities was adopted in its second and final voting session.  This Law aims to strengthen and improve the implementation of competition laws and policies by the Commission to Promote Competition (Coprocom) and the Superintendency of Telecommunications (SUTEL). This is a very comprehensive reform, comprising virtually all…

Free Trade Zones in Costa Rica: Country benefit and current issues

The Foreign Trade Corporation of Costa Rica (PROCOMER) presented the report named Balance of the Free Trade Zones: Net Benefit of the Regime for Costa Rica 2014-2018, which analyzes and exposes what the Free Trade Regime represented for the country in 2018, in economic and social terms.  Furthermore, it is important to supplement this study with certain data…