Quevedo & Ponce - Noticias Legales
Protection Action in Defense of Galapagos Turtles and Iguanas: Guaranteeing the Rights of Nature and Biodiversity
- June 11, 2024
- Quevedo & Ponce
In 2022, it was discovered that endemic species from the Galapagos archipelago were being illegally traded in countries such as Uganda, Mali, and Switzerland, as well as on online platforms.
Faced with this alarming situation, our partner Milton Castillo filed a protection action that resulted in a favorable ruling. This ruling orders the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition of Ecuador (MAATE) to manage the transfer of the following species from Appendix II to Appendix I in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES):
- Amblyrhynchus cristatus
- Conolophus marthae
- Conolophus subcristatus
- Conolophus pallidus (Iguanas)
- Chelonoidis nigra (Galapagos Tortoise)
Species listed in Appendix I of CITES cannot be commercially traded and can only be exported for research purposes, thus providing a higher level of protection compared to species in Appendix II, which can still be traded under strict international parameters.
Judge Viviana Pila, in her ruling, emphasized the violation of the precautionary principle established in the Constitution of Ecuador, highlighting the need to prevent potential harm and protect the rights of nature.
At Quevedo & Ponce, we are deeply committed to the fight against the illegal trafficking of species in the Galapagos Islands. This issue not only threatens the rich biodiversity of the archipelago but also endangers the survival of unique species worldwide. We work tirelessly to ensure that the Galapagos archipelago continues to be a symbol of Ecuador’s extraordinary biodiversity.
Más Artículos
Extinction and Remission of Obligations before the Municipality of Quito: Scope of Metropolitan Ordinance No. 096-2025
Metropolitan Ordinance No. 096-2025 establishes a special regime in Quito for the extinction of tax and non-tax debts not exceeding one unified basic salary, and for the full remission of interest, fines, and surcharges on overdue obligations, provided certain requirements are met and payment of the capital is made by June 30, 2025. This measure aims to facilitate the economic regularization of taxpayers and local entities.
The Constitutional Court guarantees the right to maternity leave even in the event of the newborn’s death
The Constitutional Court, through Judgment 878-20-JP, determined that the rights of a judge on maternity leave were violated when her leave was suspended following the death of her child.
Patent Developments: Legal Innovation for a Sustainable Future
Intellectual property is a fundamental pillar for the development of innovation and sustainable economic growth. At the core of this discipline are patents, an essential mechanism for protecting inventions and encouraging investment in research and development. However, the current technological and global environment presents new challenges and opportunities worth analyzing.
Resolution No. 06-2025 of the National Court of Justice defines and clarifies terms for the application of Article 55 of the Organic General Code of Processes, pertaining to citations by notices
Resolution No. 06-2025, issued by the National Court of Justice, establishes new criteria to ensure the effective application of citation by notices, as provided under Article 55 of the Organic General Code of Processes, in light of the difficulties encountered by judicial citation officers in the process.
Citation by notices presupposes that personal service could not be effected, but it also constitutes a preliminary step prior to citation through mass communication media, as stipulated by law.
Compliance with the annual obligation of submitting financial statements to the Superintendence of Companies
In Ecuador, companies supervised by the Superintendence of Companies, Securities, and Insurance must submit their financial information annually by April 30th. This duty includes financial statements and other relevant documents, which must be approved by the general meeting before submission. The non – accomplishment of the legal requirements may arise in significant financial penalties.
