Administrative Law Attorneys in Costa Rica

Administrative law in Costa Rica: your rights against the government

Costa Rica's General Law of Public Administration (Ley General de la Administración Pública) sets comprehensive due process standards that all government entities must follow when they make decisions affecting citizens or businesses. When a public body fails to observe these standards — issuing a permit denial without adequate reasoning, imposing a disproportionate fine, cancelling a concession improperly, or mishandling a public tender — affected parties have a structured set of legal remedies available. Knowing which remedy applies, and acting before strict deadlines expire, is the difference between preserving your rights and losing them permanently.

Regulatory compliance: SETENA, ARESEP, and sector regulators

Costa Rica has a complex regulatory landscape covering environmental, utilities, financial, and sector-specific regulation. SETENA oversees environmental impact and viability for projects and businesses. ARESEP regulates utilities, transport, and public services. SUGEF and SUGEVAL supervise financial entities. Each of these bodies can impose sanctions, conditions, and obligations — and their decisions can be challenged through administrative and judicial appeals. Our team has experience navigating the full range of regulatory proceedings, from the initial permit application to judicial review of adverse decisions.

Public procurement: bids, contract disputes, and Contraloría proceedings

Public procurement in Costa Rica is governed by the Ley General de Contratación Pública and supervised by the Contraloría General de la República. Companies that participate in government tenders face strict timelines for challenging tender specifications, bid awards, and contract performance issues. The Contraloría has broad investigatory and sanctioning powers, and its proceedings can result in debarment from future public contracts. We represent both bidders challenging irregularities in award procedures and contractors dealing with government non-performance or unilateral contract termination.

Contencioso administrativo: suing the government in court

When administrative appeals within an agency are exhausted without a satisfactory outcome, the next step is a lawsuit before the Tribunal Contencioso Administrativo y Civil de Hacienda (TOCA). This court hears claims for annulment of administrative acts, damage claims against the State, enforcement of government obligations, and all disputes arising from the administrative relationship between government entities and private parties. The TOCA process has strict filing deadlines — generally 1 year from the final administrative act — and requires prior exhaustion of available administrative remedies in most cases.

Why Jara Rico for administrative law matters

Our administrative law team brings deep knowledge of Costa Rica's institutional landscape — how regulatory bodies actually function, which arguments work in practice, and how to navigate the procedural timeline to protect our clients' interests at every stage. For international clients, we provide fully bilingual (English/Spanish) service, handle all filings and hearings, and can coordinate with foreign counsel for cross-border matters. We also advise on proactive regulatory strategy to prevent disputes before they arise — often the most cost-effective approach for foreign investors and multinationals operating in Costa Rica.