Legal reforms face scrutiny in Venezuela and Costa Rica

In Venezuela, the National Assembly has approved the first discussion of a partial reform to the Organic Law of the Supreme Tribunal of Justice. The proposal seeks to modify Article 65 regarding the composition of the Judicial Nominations Committee. Currently consisting of 21 members (11 deputies and 10 social representatives), the reform would increase the total to 23, raising social representation from 10 to 12 members to grant them a numerical majority. The project must now undergo study by a permanent commission, a public consultation, and a second discussion in the plenary before final sanction and publication.

In Costa Rica, the Costa Rican Bar Association has expressed strong opposition to Bill No. 25.747, which aims to promote free competition in professional services and modernize the membership regime. The Association argues that professional colleges serve a public interest by ensuring ethics, competence, and legal security. They contend that weakening these institutions without an equivalent oversight system could transfer professional risks to the citizenry and undermine the protection of fundamental rights and access to justice.