Damages and Losses Lawsuits

Damages Lawsuit by Reproductores Avícolas

C. 01044-2012-00279 • Thirteenth Civil Court • Guatemala

Damages Lawsuit by Reproductores Avícolas

This is an ordinary civil lawsuit. Reproductores Avícolas, S.A. sued Lisa, S.A. seeking damages, alleging that Lisa committed wrongful acts that justified its exclusion as a shareholder and caused financial losses. Lisa denied liability and filed several preliminary exceptions, including defective claim, prescription, lack of condition fulfillment, lack of standing, and caducity.

Decisions

Thirteenth Civil Court of First Instance
January 26th, 2021
Issues

Whether Lisa’s preliminary exceptions barred Reproductores Avícolas’ damages claim.

Ruling

The court upheld the objections of defective claim and prescription, and ordered Reproductores Avícolas to pay costs.

Effect

The damages claim was dismissed at trial as defective and time-barred; Lisa was shielded from liability.

Order

Court dismissed damages claim by Reproductores and Villalobos

January 26, 2021Thirteenth Civil Court
Thirteenth Civil Court of First Instance
February 23rd, 2021
Issues

Whether the prior dismissal order required clarification to address the legal effects of prescription on precautionary measures.

Ruling

The court expanded its January 26, 2021 order and expressly ordered the lifting of all precautionary measures, maintaining the dismissal with full legal effect.

Effect

All precautionary measures imposed against Lisa were expressly lifted following dismissal of the claim.

Order

Lifts precautionary measures after prescription ruling

February 23, 2021Thirteenth Civil Court
First Civil and Commercial Court of Appeals
August 17th, 2021
Issues

Reproductores Avícolas appealed, arguing that the trial court erred in sustaining Lisa’s exceptions of defective claim and prescription.

Ruling

The Court of Appeals rejected the appeal and confirmed the trial court’s ruling, agreeing that the lawsuit was procedurally defective and prescribed.

Effect

The damages claim was definitively dismissed; Lisa remained free of liability. Costs imposed on Reproductores Avícolas.

Appeal Ruling

Appeals court upheld dismissal for Reproductores

August 17, 2021Court of Appeals
Supreme Court of Justice, Civil Chamber
December 15th, 2023
Issues

Whether the Court of Appeals misapplied or misinterpreted the law in confirming prescription and defective claim exceptions.

Ruling

The Civil Chamber dismissed the cassation appeal, confirmed that the damages action was time-barred under Article 1673 of the Civil Code, and ordered costs and a monetary fine against the appellant.

Effect

The dismissal of the damages claim was upheld at cassation; prescription was definitively confirmed in Lisa’s favor.

Cassation Ruling

Dismisses time-barred damages claim

December 15, 2023Supreme Court
Constitutional Court
August 1st, 2024
Issues

Whether the Supreme Court’s cassation ruling violated due process, the right to appeal, or effective judicial protection.

Ruling

The Constitutional Court denied the amparo as manifestly unfounded, upheld the cassation decision confirming prescription, and imposed a fine on the sponsoring attorney.

Effect

All prior rulings were constitutionally validated; Lisa’s freedom from liability became final and unassailable.

Amparo Ruling

Denies challenge to prescription ruling

August 1, 2024Constitutional Court

Conclusion

The damages lawsuit filed by Reproductores Avícolas against Lisa, S.A. was dismissed at every judicial level. The courts consistently held that the claim was procedurally defective and time-barred under applicable law, a conclusion later upheld on cassation and constitutionally validated through the denial of amparo, definitively excluding any liability for Lisa.