Order

This order by the 16th Circuit Civil Court of the First Judicial Circuit of Panama formalized the procedural consequence of Juan Luis Bosch Gutiérrez's failure to appear following the edict summons: the appointment of an absent-defendant attorney so that the accounting proceeding could move forward. The ruling came after the twenty-day deadline established by Summoning Edict No. 246, published in La Estrella de Panama from July 8 through 12, 2024, expired without Bosch presenting himself. The edict had expressly warned that failure to appear would result in the appointment of a court-designated defense attorney under Article 1012 of the Judicial Code.

Procedural Context

The appointment of the absent-defendant attorney concluded a prolonged sequence of attempts to serve Bosch personally. Beginning in July 2023, Lisa, S.A. pursued service through letters rogatory directed to Guatemala, followed by a diplomatic dispatch and a request for confirmation from the Guatemalan authority handling service. Once personal service was exhausted, the court turned to edict publication as a last resort before proceeding with the appointment.

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