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PS 1028

Para enmendar las Reglas 55.1, 55.2, 55.5 y 55.6 de las Reglas de Procedimiento Civil de 2009, según enmendadas, a los fines de disponer que las sentencias dictadas por los tribunales de los estados y territorios de los Estados Unidos Continentales sean reconocidas de manera automática en Puerto Rico en virtud de la Cláusula de Plena Fe y Crédito de la Constitución de Estados Unidos y el 28 U.S.C. § 1738, eximiendo dichas sentencias del procedimiento de exequátur, y limitar dicho procedimiento únicamente a las sentencias dictadas por tribunales extranjeros; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Puerto Rico bill automatically recognizes U.S. state and territorial court judgments without enforcement procedures, limiting review-based *exequátur* to foreign courts only.

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Bill Summary · PS 1028

Legislative bill overview

Bill PS 1028 amends Puerto Rico's Civil Procedure Rules to automatically recognize and enforce court judgments from U.S. states and territories without requiring an exequátur (enforcement procedure), relying on the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the U.S. Constitution and federal statute 28 U.S.C. § 1738. The bill would limit the exequátur procedure exclusively to judgments from foreign courts.

Why is this important

This change streamlines enforcement of mainland U.S. court judgments in Puerto Rico, reducing legal delays and costs for parties seeking to collect judgments or enforce orders across jurisdictions. It aligns Puerto Rico's procedural rules with federal constitutional requirements and standard practice in other U.S. states, potentially facilitating commerce and legal predictability between Puerto Rico and the continental United States.

Potential points of contention

  • Judicial sovereignty concerns: Some may argue automatic recognition diminishes Puerto Rico's local court autonomy and ability to review the validity or fairness of out-of-jurisdiction judgments before enforcement
  • Due process protections: Questions about whether eliminating the exequátur review removes important safeguards against recognizing judgments obtained through fraud, lack of jurisdiction, or violation of fundamental fairness
  • Reciprocal treatment: Unclear whether this creates reciprocal obligations or advantages for Puerto Rico judgments in mainland courts, potentially creating asymmetrical enforcement rights

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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