More and more cases in Puerto Rico and in the states have a foot in the Dominican Republic: a defendant who moved to Santiago, a judgment that must be enforced in Santo Domingo, a Dominican company that must answer, a witness in Punta Cana. VSP Consultores Legales, S.A. is the Poindexter network's law office in the Dominican Republic, and it works as support for the attorney of record, not as a replacement.
What VSP Consultores Legales does for the attorney
- Exequatur and recognition of judgments. Recognition of Puerto Rico and U.S. federal and state judgments before Dominican courts for enforcement against assets and persons in the Dominican Republic.
- Judicial service. Compliance supervision over the bailiff service coordinated by Poindexter Global Intelligence, with review of the act of service, translation and legalization for the Puerto Rico or U.S. forum.
- Co-counsel. Appearance before Dominican courts in collections, enforcement of security, commercial litigation, estates with Dominican assets and family matters with a cross-border connection.
- Companies and legal due diligence. Formation and review of Dominican companies, registry verification of real property and titles, and legal opinions on Dominican law for use in litigation in Puerto Rico and the states.
- Obtaining evidence. Coordination of statements, certifications and Dominican public documents, with apostille, for use in Puerto Rico and in U.S. courts.
- Insurance, surety and reinsurance. Advice on claims and contracts with Dominican insurers and reinsurers, including work with Janus Assurance Re and Surety One.
Typical situations
- Collection against a debtor in the Dominican Republic. Judgment obtained in Puerto Rico or a U.S. court, service on the debtor by Dominican bailiff, recognition of the judgment through exequatur, and enforcement against accounts, vehicles or real estate on the island.
- Divorce or custody with a spouse in the Dominican Republic. Service under the Dominican Code, coordination of remote appearance where the Puerto Rico or U.S. court allows it, and registration of the judgment in the Dominican civil registry.
- Estate with assets in both jurisdictions. Declaration of heirs in Puerto Rico and determination of heirs in the Dominican Republic, with transfer of real property before the Dominican land jurisdiction.
- Dominican defendant in U.S. federal court. Agent service under Rule 4(f)(2)(A) with the bailiff's act, certified English translation and a declaration by Dominican counsel on compliance with local law.
- Due diligence on a Dominican counterparty. Verification of the company at the Chamber of Commerce, of real property at the Title Registry and of pending litigation, with a legal opinion for the file.
How the work is done
The attorney of record keeps the client relationship and the direction of the case. VSP Consultores Legales contributes Dominican law, local appearance and enforcement. Communication is in Spanish or English, with documents for the Puerto Rico or U.S. forum delivered in the language the forum requires. Fees are quoted per matter and agreed in writing before any work begins.
Who is behind it
VSP Consultores Legales, S.A. (VSP Law, PLLC in the United States) is the law office of C. Constantin Poindexter Salcedo, an attorney with offices in Raleigh, San Juan, Santo Domingo and Moca and founder of the network of surety, reinsurance and investigative firms that includes Diligencias Legales de Puerto Rico.