Countries › Dominican Republic › Guide › 14. Disputes › Amparo and constitutional review in the Dominican Republic: fast rights protection for companies too

Amparo and constitutional review in the Dominican Republic: fast rights protection for companies too

Last verified: 2026-10-30 · Status: Stable

Amparo protects fundamental rights against any public or private act that is clearly arbitrary or illegal, and any person, including a company, can file it. It is due within 60 days of learning of the act, is free, and moves fast, but it fails if another effective route exists. Review goes straight to the Tribunal Constitucional within five days.

Key facts

Amparo deadline	60 daysLey 137-11 art. 70, as of 2026-10-30 · in force
Amparo free of costs	Yes yes/noLey 137-11 art. 66, as of 2026-10-30 · in force
Review deadline	5 daysLey 137-11 art. 95, as of 2026-10-30 · in force

The rule

1. Everyone has the right to amparo for immediate protection of fundamental rights not covered by habeas corpus.Constitución de 2024, art. 72, 2024-10-27 official text · verified 2026-10-30

2. Amparo lies against acts or omissions of public authorities or private persons that with manifest arbitrariness or illegality harm a fundamental right.Ley 137-11 Orgánica del Tribunal Constitucional, art. 65, 2011-06-15 official text · verified 2026-10-30

3. The procedure is free of costs and taxes, and no foreign claimant bond applies.
Cost to do it: No court cost or tax. Counsel fees remain private.Ley 137-11 Orgánica del Tribunal Constitucional, art. 66, 2011-06-15 official text · verified 2026-10-30

4. Any natural or legal person can file.Ley 137-11 Orgánica del Tribunal Constitucional, art. 67, 2011-06-15 official text · verified 2026-10-30

5. The judge can dismiss if another judicial route is effective, or if the claim is filed more than 60 days after the claimant learned of the act.Ley 137-11 Orgánica del Tribunal Constitucional, art. 70, 2011-06-15 official text · verified 2026-10-30

6. The first instance judge of the place of the act hears it. Acts of the public administration go to the administrative jurisdiction.Ley 137-11 Orgánica del Tribunal Constitucional, art. 72 and art. 75, 2011-06-15 official text · verified 2026-10-30

7. The judge issues the order within three days, with the hearing within five days, and gives the ruling on the hearing day with up to five days for reasons.Ley 137-11 Orgánica del Tribunal Constitucional, art. 77, art. 78 and art. 84, 2011-06-15 official text · verified 2026-10-30

8. The judge can order urgent measures and impose astreintes.Ley 137-11 Orgánica del Tribunal Constitucional, art. 86 and art. 93, 2011-06-15 official text · verified 2026-10-30

9. Rulings can only be reviewed by the Tribunal Constitucional, with a filing within five days of notice.Ley 137-11 Orgánica del Tribunal Constitucional, art. 94 and art. 95, 2011-06-15 official text · verified 2026-10-30

10. Tribunal Constitucional decisions are final and bind all public powers.Constitución de 2024, art. 184, 2024-10-27 official text · verified 2026-10-30

11. Final court rulings can be reviewed on the art. 53 grounds within 30 days.Ley 137-11 Orgánica del Tribunal Constitucional, art. 53 and art. 54, 2011-06-15 official text · verified 2026-10-30

Worked example

A municipality seals a shop without any procedure. The owner can file amparo within 60 days at the administrative court, seeking restoration and a daily astreinte. If a contract damages claim is really at issue, expect dismissal for another route.

Step by step

Date the moment of knowledge.
Name the right harmed, such as property.
File in writing at the right court.
Ask for urgent measures and astreintes.
Review within five days if lost.

Common traps

Amparo is not for money debts or ordinary contract disputes.
A restructuring request moves amparo on the debtor's assets to the restructuring court under Ley 141-15 art. 23.
The five day review term is short.

Sources

← Claims against the State in the Dominican Republic: 30 days to court, one year for damagesInsolvency in the Dominican Republic: Ley 141-15 restructuring, stay and creditor claims →

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