Practice Area

Contracts & Commercial Law

Employment contracts, freelancer agreements, NDAs, supplier deals, and dispute resolution — all drafted or reviewed under Colombian commercial code by bilingual attorneys.

Contracts in Colombia

Colombian contract law is governed by the Civil Code (for general contracts) and the Commercial Code (Código de Comercio) for business transactions. While the principles will be familiar to anyone from a civil law country, there are critical differences from common-law jurisdictions that catch foreign businesses off guard.

Employment contracts, in particular, are heavily regulated by Colombian labour law (Código Sustantivo del Trabajo). Misclassifying a worker as a contractor when they function as an employee can result in back-payment of benefits, social security contributions, and penalties. This is the single most common legal mistake foreign companies make when hiring in Colombia.

Whether you are hiring your first Colombian employee, signing a lease for commercial space, or entering a joint venture, having a local attorney review or draft the contract is not optional — it is essential.

  • Employment Contracts

    Fixed-term, indefinite, and project-based contracts. Mandatory clauses for social security, severance (cesantías), vacation, and termination procedures under Colombian labour code.

  • Contractor Agreements

    Prestación de servicios contracts for independent contractors. Properly structured to avoid misclassification risk while protecting your intellectual property and confidentiality.

  • Commercial Contracts

    Supply agreements, distribution contracts, franchise agreements, and joint ventures. Governed by the Colombian Commercial Code with specific requirements for registration and enforceability.

  • Dispute Resolution

    Mediation, arbitration, and litigation for contractual disputes. Colombia has well-established arbitration centres and recognises international arbitral awards under the New York Convention.

Services

What We Cover

Every contract is drafted or reviewed by a commercial law specialist — not a generalist.

Contract Drafting

Custom contracts drafted in Spanish (with English translations) that comply with Colombian law and protect your interests. Includes employment, commercial, and service agreements.

From $250 per contract

Contract Review

Legal review of existing contracts with a written analysis of risks, non-compliant clauses, and recommended amendments. Available in 48-hour turnaround.

From $150 per review

Employment Compliance

Audit of your current workforce structure for labour law compliance. Classification analysis, benefits calculation, and remediation plan for any gaps.

From $500 per audit

NDAs & IP Protection

Non-disclosure agreements, non-compete clauses (subject to Colombian enforceability limits), and intellectual property assignment agreements.

From $200 per agreement

Lease & Rental Agreements

Commercial and residential lease review or drafting. Tenant and landlord representation. Colombian rental law has specific tenant protections that must be addressed.

From $200 per lease

Dispute Resolution

Demand letters, mediation, arbitration proceedings, and civil litigation for breach of contract. Pre-litigation negotiation to avoid court when possible.

From $400 per matter

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