Procedural time limits suspended in the courts
As part of the measures to combat COVID-19, procedural deadlines are suspended in the courts. The aim of the Law, recently published in the Official Gazette, is to avoid contagion but at the same time to ensure that all possible acts can be performed. It should be noted that the suspension of deadlines, acts or steps does not cover urgent cases.
However, in cases where there is a need for the physical presence of the parties, their representatives or other intervening parties, communication will be made by digital means. If it is not possible to hold the session online, they may be held in person, provided that compliance with the recommendations of the health authorities is ensured.
In order to minimise the effects of the application of the Law on case deadlines, a number of measures have been drawn up, such as maintaining the regular course of non-urgent cases in higher courts, without compromising the Law in relation to face-to-face acts, and maintaining the carrying out of non-urgent proceedings when all parties are in agreement.
