Due to the current world health emergency of COVID-19, the Bolivian Government through the Supreme Decree No. 4199 of March 21, 2020 has declared the Total Quarantine in the entire territory from 0:00 hours of Sunday, March 22 to Saturday, April 04, 2020, consequently, all judicial activities has been suspended, as well as the procedural deadlines, as explained below:

Plurinational Constitutional Court. By means of an Action Protocol for the Prevention of COVID-19 it has mainly established: i) Suspension of procedural deadlines, ii) Suspension of filing of lawsuits and iii) Home Office.

Council of the Magistracy. By means of  the Circular No. CM - DRH - 010/2020 of March 21, 2020, the Total Quarantine has been instructed in all the entities of the Judicial Branch for the time of 14 days from the date of its issuance.

Supreme Court of Justice. By Circular No. 04/2020 of March 21, 2020, the President of the Supreme Court of Justice has ordered:

  • Suspension of work activities in the Supreme Court of Justice, Departmental Courts of Justice and Judicial Courts in Provinces from Monday, March 23, 2020 until the issuance of an express statement issued by the Competent Authority.
  • The Departmental Courts of Justice established the working turns to be fulfilled by Chambers and Courts in order to attend criminal matters including Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

Departmental Court of Justice of La Paz. By the Instructive No. 17/2020 of March 21, 2020, the Full Chamber of the Departmental Court of Justice of La Paz has ordered the following:

  • Suspend the procedural deadlines from zero hours on Sunday, March 22 to zero hours on Monday, April 06, 2020, except in criminal matters (active cases).
  • The Courts of Criminal Investigation (according to their role of duty) will only and exclusively attend cases of apprehended and previously scheduled cases of dismissal.
  • Authorization of official vehicles for the mobilization of the shift personnel.

Departmental Court of Justice of Santa Cruz. By means of the Circular No. 40/2020 of March 18, 2020, the Plenary Chamber of the Departmental Court of Justice of Santa Cruz, pursuant to Article 214 of Law 025, has provided that in the event of possible circumstances of force majeure, the administrators of justice, must issue an express resolution of the impediment and suspending the course of the respective deadline. Also, considering Supreme Decree No. 4199, the deadlines have been suspended as in the other Departmental Courts.

Departmental Court of Justice of Chuquisaca. By the Circular S.P. No. 11/2020 of March 21, 2020, the Full Chamber of the Departmental Court of Justice of Chuquisaca has ordered:

  • General suspension of deadlines and all previously scheduled hearings in all judicial processes. Hearings must be rescheduled once the total quarantine is lifted.
  • Only precautionary measures hearings will be attended with preventive detainees and apprehended, in addition to freedom actions, with the necessary security measures and minimum assistance of people.

Cochabamba Departmental Court of Justice. By the Communication No. 14/2020 March 21, 2020, the Full Chamber of the Cochabamba Departmental Court of Justice has ordered:

  • Suspension of work activities from March 23 to April 05, 2020.
  • Suspend the procedural deadlines, from 00:00 on Sunday, March 22, 2020 to 00:00 on Monday, April 06 in all matters.
  • The Courts and Courts of Duty in actions of freedom and with those apprehended in criminal matters, violence and childhood and adolescence will attend according to established role.
  • The hearings with apprehended will be held in the FELCC, Police Units or Modules.

Public Notaries. Through the Communication No. 05/2020 of March 23, 2020, the Directorate of Plurinational Notaries has communicated that activities are suspended until April 04, 2020.