The 16th Circuit Civil Court appoints Lcdo. Miguel Ruiz as absent-defendant attorney for Bosch after the summoning edict deadline expired without appearance.

Procedural Context

The appointment of an absent-defendant attorney allows the summary accounting proceeding (Exp. 83573-21) to move forward despite the non-appearance of Juan Luis Bosch Gutiérrez, and it concludes a prolonged sequence of attempts to serve him personally. Beginning in July 2023, Lisa, S.A. pursued service through Letters Rogatory 29 directed to Guatemalan authorities, followed by a Notification authorizing retrieval of the diplomatic documents and a Motion seeking confirmation of the Guatemalan authority that received the rogatory. Once personal service was exhausted, the court resorted to Edict 246, published in La Estrella de Panama from July 8 through 12, 2024, which set a twenty-day appearance deadline and warned that non-appearance would result in the appointment of a court-designated defense attorney under Article 1012 of the Judicial Code. That deadline expired without Bosch presenting himself.

Orders

• Appoint Lcdo. Miguel Ruiz (ID No. 4-750-816) as absent-defendant attorney for Juan Luis Bosch Gutiérrez
• Order the appointed attorney to appear before the court to assume the role
• Set litigation expenses at $1,500.00

Legal Basis

• Article 1012 of the Judicial Code — authorizes the appointment of an absent-defendant attorney when the summoned party fails to appear within the period established by the edict

Signatories

• Lcda. Carolina Portillo de Gittens, Special Substitute Judge
• Lcdo. Kirk Calvera, Court Clerk