IMPORTANT: This article analyzes the free procedural forms approved by the General Council of the Judiciary through a Resolution dated December 22, 2015, published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) on January 28, 2016. Currently, any matter relating to procedural forms, oral proceedings, payment order proceedings, non-contentious proceedings, or representation without an attorney or legal representative must be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with the standard forms currently in effect from the CGPJ, the Resolution published in the BOE, the Civil Procedure Act, the Law 15/2015 on Non-Contentious Jurisdiction , and the applicable procedural regulations.
Free court forms from the General Council of the Judiciary for citizens.
The Charter of Citizens’ Rights in the Judicial System, in Article 8, provides that citizens have the right to obtain, free of charge, the forms necessary to exercise their rights before the courts when the representation of an attorney and a court representative is not required.
In this regard, the Standing Committee of the General Council of the Judiciary, by Resolution dated December 22, 2015 (published in the Official State Gazette on January 28, 2016), has approved the standardized forms to be used in proceedings where a party is not represented by an attorney or legal representative.
These forms were provided for in the CIVIL PROCEDURE ACT, through the amendment set forth in Law 42/2015, of October 5, and in Act 15/2015, of July 2, on NON-CONTENTIOUS PROCEEDINGS
We provide the BOE with the documents that include the following (standardized models / forms):
- Request for Conciliation (Article 141.1 of Law 15/2015, of July 2, on Non-Contentious Jurisdiction).
- Application for a Voluntary Jurisdiction Case File (Article 14.3 of Law 15/2015, of July 2, on Voluntary Jurisdiction).
- Complaint for a Summary Judgment.
- Answer to the Complaint in an Oral Trial.
- Model for the Summary Proceedings Process.
- Monitorio Proceedings (Claims for Common Expenses in Homeowners’ Associations).
If you have any questions or concerns, our litigation team is here to help and would be happy to assist you.
What Are Standardized Court Forms?
Standardized court forms are templates provided to citizens to facilitate certain proceedings before the courts when the law allows them to act without a lawyer or legal representative.
They are not a substitute for legal advice, but they can help you file applications, complaints, or basic pleadings in specific proceedings, provided that the matter falls within the scope of the legally established provisions.
The Resolution of December 22, 2015, of the Standing Committee of the General Council of the Judiciary approved these standardized forms provided for in the Civil Procedure Act and the Voluntary Jurisdiction Act.
When Can a Citizen Act Without a Lawyer or Attorney?
In certain proceedings, the law allows citizens to represent themselves without an attorney or legal representative. However, this option depends on the type of proceeding, the amount in dispute, the subject matter, and the specific circumstances of the case.
Therefore, before submitting any form, it is advisable to verify whether professional involvement is truly not required and whether the form you have chosen corresponds to the action you wish to take.
When in doubt, seeking legal advice in advance can help you avoid mistakes that might affect deadlines, jurisdiction, the amount in dispute, the required documentation, or the viability of the claim.
Oral Proceedings, Payment Order Proceedings, and Non-Contentious Proceedings
The approved forms primarily pertain to three areas: oral proceedings, payment order proceedings, and certain non-contentious proceedings.
Oral proceedings allow certain civil claims to be processed in accordance with the rules of the Civil Procedure Act.
The payment order procedure is a common method for collecting monetary debts that are certain, liquid, specific, due, and payable, provided they can be substantiated by documentation.
Non-contentious proceedings allow for the processing of certain non-contentious cases, such as requests for conciliation or other procedures provided for in Law 15/2015.
Current Standardized Forms from the CGPJ
Currently, citizens can view the standard forms from the General Council of the Judiciary, which contain a collection of forms related to various legal proceedings.
Among them are models related to:
- oral trial;
- payment order proceedings;
- payment order proceedings for homeowners’ associations;
- voluntary jurisdiction;
- request for conciliation;
- complaint;
- trial for misdemeanors;
- expedited trial for crimes;
- free legal assistance.
In any case, it is important to verify that the form used is the current version and that it applies to the specific situation.
The Importance of Prior Legal Advice
Although there are free forms available, not all matters are straightforward, nor can they all be resolved using a standard form.
An error in identifying the parties, the amount in dispute, the court’s jurisdiction, the documentation submitted, or the choice of procedure may make it difficult to defend a citizen’s rights.
Therefore, when the matter involves financial implications, legal complexity, the risk of being ordered to pay costs, or the possibility of opposition from the other party, it is advisable to consult with an attorney beforehand.
Preguntas frecuentes sobre formularios procesales gratuitos
¿Qué son los formularios procesales gratuitos del CGPJ?
Son modelos normalizados puestos a disposición de los ciudadanos para facilitar determinadas actuaciones procesales cuando la ley permite intervenir sin abogado ni procurador.
¿Puedo presentar un formulario judicial sin abogado?
Depende del procedimiento, la cuantía y la materia. En algunos casos la ley permite actuar sin abogado ni procurador, pero en otros la intervención profesional es obligatoria.
¿Los formularios sustituyen el asesoramiento jurídico?
No. Los formularios pueden facilitar la presentación de escritos, pero no sustituyen el análisis jurídico del caso, la estrategia procesal ni la valoración de riesgos.
¿Qué procedimientos cuentan con modelos normalizados?
Existen modelos vinculados a juicio verbal, proceso monitorio, proceso monitorio para comunidades de propietarios, jurisdicción voluntaria, conciliación, denuncia, delitos leves, juicios rápidos y asistencia jurídica gratuita.
¿Qué riesgos existen al presentar un formulario sin asesoramiento?
Pueden cometerse errores en la elección del procedimiento, la cuantía, la competencia judicial, la documentación aportada, los plazos o la identificación de las partes, lo que puede afectar al resultado del asunto.
¿Cuándo conviene consultar con un abogado?
Conviene consultar con un abogado cuando el asunto tenga relevancia económica, exista riesgo de oposición, pueda haber condena en costas, haya dudas sobre el procedimiento o se trate de una reclamación compleja.
Experts in procedural law, litigation, and legal claims
At IN DIEM Abogados, we provide legal advice to individuals, companies, self-employed professionals, and other professionals on matters related to civil proceedings, oral trials, debt collection proceedings, debt recovery, non-contentious proceedings, litigation, legal defense, and procedural advice.
Our team analyzes each case from a legal and strategic perspective, evaluating the available documentation, the amount in dispute, the appropriate procedure, the deadlines, and the procedural risks.
- Advice prior to filing a lawsuit.
- Debt Collection Through the Payment Order Procedure.
- Representation in oral trials and civil proceedings.
- Assistance with non-contentious proceedings.
- Legal and out-of-court representation in civil and commercial disputes.
If you need advice on court forms, legal claims, or representation in legal proceedings, you can contact our team to receive an initial legal assessment.
In-person, online, and urgent service. 24-hour support.
IN DIEM Abogados provides in-person, online, and emergency legal assistance from its offices in Madrid, Seville, Málaga, Marbella, Estepona, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Almería, and Huelva, serving clients throughout Spain.
The firm has a multidisciplinary team composed of specialized attorneys and professionals with experience in the judicial, tax, commercial, technology, criminal, civil, administrative, and labor law fields, which allows us to approach each matter from a technical, strategic, and practical perspective.
In addition, IN DIEM Abogados offers urgent assistance when the nature of the matter requires an immediate response or a quick initial assessment of the case.
- Online Legal Advice for online consultations, clients outside the city, or matters that can be handled remotely.
- 24-Hour Emergency Legal Services for situations requiring immediate legal assistance.
- IN DIEM Abogados Offices for in-person service and nationwide coverage in Spain.
For an initial consultation, you can contact IN DIEM Abogados to receive an initial assessment tailored to the circumstances of your case.
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You can find us in Seville, Madrid, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Málaga, Huelva, Punta Umbría, Tomares, Coria del Río, Dos Hermanas, Mairena del Alcor, Estepona, Marbella, and Mairena del Aljarafe. We look forward to serving you.
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