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Nicaragua: speeding up labor conflicts

Thursday, November 29, 2012


New rules will reduce the time and complexity of disputes between employers and employees, following reforms to the Labor and Social Security Code, which will take effect at the end of the first half of next year.

Among the changes is the introduction of oral arguments before a judge, as the main mechanism for presenting evidence. Primary reliance on oral arguments is expected to reduce the time required to reach a result to about six months, compared to between two and three years, using current procedures. Written documents can be used, to support oral evidence.

The right to present evidence in advance of a hearing is another measure that will speed up the process, in the case of a person who is unable to appear on a specified date.

To lighten the load on judges, and thus speed up the process, the new rules will also require mandatory prior conciliation at the Ministry of Labor, in cases involving lesser amounts of money.

For more information, please contact Dr. Bertha Ortega at [email protected]