The Republic of Panama is not a signatory to the Convention of 15 November 1965 on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters, also called the Hague Service Convention.
Consequently, service of process in Panama must be effected through alternative methods.
Service in Panama may be effected using one of two methods:
If enforcement in Panama of any ensuing US judgment is anticipated, then litigants are advised to serve process pursuant to the Inter-American Convention.
When serving process in Panama all documents (including the Letter Rogatory if that is the chosen method of service) must be translated into Spanish.
LLS has also been successful serving defendants via its private agent in Panama. The agent will serve the documents upon the defendant and will return proof of service in English, although the documents for service themselves may have to be translated into Spanish to meet US due process requirements.
LLS can assist you with service and can help you understand and meet the legal translation requirements for service of process in Panama. Please call 1-800-755-5775 for more information.