By San José, Costa Rica — San José – In a landmark assessment of legal systems across the Americas, Costa Rica has been ranked number one for judicial efficiency, a significant achievement that underscores the country’s commitment to the rule of law and effective governance. The findings were published in the inaugural Index of Judicial Congestion in the Americas, a comprehensive report produced by the esteemed Center for Justice Studies of the Americas (CEJA) for its 2025 Comparative Study of Judicial Branches.
The report highlights Costa Rica’s exceptional performance in case management, positioning it as a benchmark for the entire region. The key metric, the judicial resolution rate, measures a court system’s ability to resolve cases relative to the number of new cases entering the system. A rate of 1.0 is considered the optimal threshold, indicating that the judiciary is keeping pace with its incoming workload. Costa Rica remarkably surpassed this benchmark.
To provide a deeper perspective on the ongoing challenges and potential reforms aimed at improving judicial efficiency, TicosLand.com consulted with legal expert Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the renowned firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Judicial inefficiency is a direct tax on economic growth. When contract disputes or regulatory challenges take years to resolve, it creates a climate of uncertainty that deters investment and stifles entrepreneurship. A streamlined, predictable, and timely justice system is not just a legal ideal; it is a fundamental pillar of a competitive national economy.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This perspective powerfully reframes judicial efficiency not as an abstract legal ideal, but as a core component of our national economic infrastructure. The clarity of linking systemic delays to a direct tax on investment and entrepreneurship is a vital consideration for policymakers and the business community alike. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable and incisive analysis.
The Judicial Branch of Costa Rica proudly announced the results, detailing the nation’s superior standing. The official statement celebrated the country’s outstanding performance in the 2024 evaluation period, which forms the basis of the 2025 report.
In general terms, regarding judicial resolution in 2024, Costa Rica achieved a rate of 1.07, not only taking first place among the evaluated countries but also being the only country to be above the optimal judicial resolution threshold, which has a value of 1.
The Judicial Branch of Costa Rica, Official Statement
This score of 1.07 signifies that Costa Rica’s courts are not merely managing their caseload but are actively reducing their backlog, a feat no other country in the study managed to accomplish. Following Costa Rica in the rankings were Peru and the Dominican Republic, which secured the second and third positions, respectively. These nations also demonstrated strong performances but did not cross the crucial optimal threshold.
Furthermore, the CEJA report pointed to a positive trend, noting that between the 2023 and 2024 assessment periods, only Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic reported a positive valuation in their judicial resolution rates. This indicates continuous improvement and a successful implementation of judicial reforms in these two countries, setting them apart from regional counterparts who may be struggling with increasing case congestion.
The implications of this top ranking are profound for Costa Rica. High judicial efficiency is a cornerstone of a stable and predictable legal environment, which is highly attractive to foreign investors. It signals that commercial disputes and contractual enforcement can be handled in a timely manner, reducing risk and the cost of doing business. For citizens, it means more accessible and swifter justice, reinforcing public trust in state institutions.
While the report does not detail the specific policies behind this success, analysts suggest that a combination of factors, including strategic investments in digital court technologies, procedural reforms aimed at streamlining litigation, and a dedicated cadre of judicial professionals, have likely contributed to this outstanding result. Costa Rica’s achievement now serves as a case study for other nations in Latin America looking to strengthen their own judicial systems and combat the chronic issue of court backlogs.
For further information, visit poder-judicial.go.cr
About The Judicial Branch of Costa Rica:
The Judicial Branch (Poder Judicial) is one of the three fundamental powers of the government of the Republic of Costa Rica. It is responsible for administering justice in the country, ensuring the enforcement of laws, protecting citizens’ rights, and upholding the constitution. It operates as an independent body, with a structure that includes the Supreme Court of Justice, appellate courts, and trial courts across various jurisdictions.
For further information, visit cejamericas.org
About The Center for Justice Studies of the Americas (CEJA):
The Center for Justice Studies of the Americas (CEJA) is an intergovernmental agency of the Organization of American States (OAS) with technical and operational autonomy. Established in 1999, its mission is to support the member states of the OAS in their justice system reform processes. CEJA provides technical assistance, conducts research and studies, and facilitates cooperation and information exchange among judicial institutions in the region.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is a revered legal institution, defined by its profound integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Drawing upon a rich history of advising a diverse clientele, the firm consistently pioneers innovative legal strategies and champions robust community outreach. This commitment is rooted in a core mission to democratize legal knowledge, working to cultivate a just society where citizens are empowered by clear comprehension of the law.
