Colombia

Columbia is located in the northwestern region of South America. The country is a unitary, constitutional republic, and has 32-departments. Columbia’s territory was originally inhabited by Native Americans before colonization. The Spanish were the first Europeans to reach the region in 1499, and began colonization in the 16th century. This colonization resulted in the creation of the New Kingdom of Granada, with Santafé de Bogotá as its capital.

It wasn’t until 1819 that the country achieved its freedom from Spain. The newly formed nation went through a period of federalism under the Grenadine Confederation (1858), and became the United States of Columbia in 1863. It was in 1886 that the Republic of Columbia finally came to be, and Panama seceded in 1903. Today the country is one of the world’s most linguistically and ethnically diverse countries with an extremely rich cultural heritage. Columbia is also one of the 17-most megadiverse countries worldwide. It is the 4th largest Latin American economy, and the third most populous Latin American country after Brazil and Mexico. Columbia is a member of the UN, the WTO, the Pacific Alliance, OAS, and other international organizations.

Colombia is categorized by six natural regions. The Andes Mountain Region, Pacific Coastal Region, Caribbean Coastal Region, Llanos Plains, insular area, and the Amazon Rainforest region. The country also sits in the “ring of fire,” subject to volcanic activity and earthquakes. As one of the world’s most megadiverse countries, it has several animal species, and is ranked first in the world in bird species. It also has nearly 45,000 plant species, which accounts for approximately 20% of the world’s total global species. It only ranks behind Brazil in biodiversity, which is approximately 7-times larger than Colombia.

Colombia Government & Legal System

The President of Columbia serves as the head of state and of the executive branch; he is followed by the Vice President and Council of Ministers. Presidential elections are held every 4-years, and are voted in by popular vote.

The judicial system in Colombia is charged with interpreting and applying the laws of Colombia in order to resolve disputes and ensure equal justice under the law. The judiciary of Colombia, or  Rama Judicial de Colombia involves only one jurisdiction, divided by subject matter.  There are four high courts that are the supreme tribunals of decision in their respective areas.  These courts are:

  • Constitutional Court: head of constitutional jurisdiction
  • Supreme Court: head of ordinary jurisdiction
  • Council of State: administrative jurisdiction
  • Superior Council of Judicature: disciplinary jurisdiction.

The four high courts are equal, but the Constitutional Court has broad judicial oversight, and it often rules on issues related to different jurisdictions, or the ruling of a different high court.

The National Law Review covers news stories including international trade, anti-dumping and countervailing (ADCV) duties, environmental news, and employment related issues, are among the coverage visitors can read about online. Additionally, content relating to international and foreign relations, violations of laws, and administrative agency news, are covered by the National Law Review.

Custom text Title Organization
Jan
6
2017
What Colombia’s Peace Agreement Means for Foreign Investment Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Oct
20
2016
Intellectual Property: Review of Compulsory Licenses in Colombia Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
Aug
18
2016
Surge In Populism: Dangers To Transnational Trade In Americas And Reasons For Hope Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
Aug
5
2016
Law 1778, Colombia’s Latest Attempt at Bringing its Anti-bribery Laws into Compliance with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development's Anti-bribery Convention Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Oct
9
2015
Latin America’s Slump Masks Big Economic Differences Covington & Burling LLP
Jun
16
2015
NLRB Reaches Agreement With The Republic Of Columbia To Educate Columbian Citizens On The NLRA Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Jan
22
2015
Latin America in 2015: A Year of Challenges and Opportunities Covington & Burling LLP
Jan
9
2015
International Arbitration in the Americas: An Agent of Change? Bilzin Sumberg
Dec
15
2014
Colombia: Much Needed Tax Reform Covington & Burling LLP
Oct
6
2014
Patent Term Adjustment: Not available solely in the U.S. Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
Sep
18
2014
Agencies Sign New Cooperation Agreement with Colombia McDermott Will & Emery
Aug
6
2014
D.C. Circuit Rejects Toxic Tort Claims Based on Aerial Spraying of Herbicide Beveridge & Diamond PC
Jul
18
2014
Film Tax Incentives in Latin America Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
Jun
24
2014
Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Makes Significant Revisions To Its SDN List: Removal of Hundreds of Designated Narcotics Traffickers, Additional Listing of Parties In Ukraine Covington & Burling LLP
May
30
2014
Colombian Elections: The Battle for the Second Round Covington & Burling LLP
Jan
30
2014
Going South: What U.S. Companies Need to Know About The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and Doing Business in Latin America Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Jan
18
2014
BRIC-a-BRAC January 17, 2014: News Items from BRIC Countries Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
Dec
5
2013
Latin American Region Environmental Report: Colombia Highlights (Volume III 2013) Beveridge & Diamond PC
Aug
23
2013
Colombia Legal Highlights (Volume II, 2013) Beveridge & Diamond PC
Aug
22
2013
Colombia Enacts Personal Data Protection Regulations Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Mar
10
2013
Sale of U.S. Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) in Latin America Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
May
31
2012
Trade Agreement Facilitates Opening of U.S. Bank Branches in Colombia Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
May
15
2012
Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Takes Effect Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
Oct
21
2011
Three New U.S. Free Trade Agreements Offer Growth Opportunities for U.S. Businesses McDermott Will & Emery
Dec
28
2010
European Parliament Adopts Resolution on Corporate Social Responsibility Foley Hoag LLP
 

NLR Logo

We collaborate with the world's leading lawyers to deliver news tailored for you. Sign Up to receive our free e-Newsbulletins

 

Sign Up for e-NewsBulletins