Dominican Republic enacts laws on corporate criminal liability and digital judicial services

The Dominican Republic has enacted two significant pieces of legislation. Law 88-26 provides an 18-month extension for the implementation of provisions within the new Penal Code regarding the criminal liability of legal entities. This extension moves the enforcement date from November 5, 2026, to May 5, 2028. Angelo Viro, president of the National Association of Herrera Companies and Industries (ANEIH), stated that the business sector required more time to establish the necessary internal prevention, supervision, and control procedures to comply with the new legal obligations.

Separately, Law 87-26 has been promulgated to update the use of digital media within the Judicial Power. The law prioritizes digital processing for judicial matters while maintaining the right to in-person access for citizens lacking technical means or connectivity. Key updates include the formalization of electronic judicial files, digital signatures for judges and officials, and the creation of a ministerial georeferencing system to support the work of bailiffs by recording real-time data.