Abstract

PINILLA GALVIS, Álvaro. Short insights regarding the existing rules on computation of time limits or legal periods. Rev. Derecho Privado [online]. 2013, n.24, pp.283-326. ISSN 0123-4366.

The Colombian Congress has been adopting different parameters that modified the calculation of statutes of limitations contained in the law, but in a manner which is partial and non conclusive, making room for discussion and debate for academics and generating case law that apply those rules disregarding conceptual ambiguity and improper law drafting technique. This paper shows the existence of several parameters distributed on many legal statutes and the need for interpretation and integration of those parameters in order to grant legal certainty and security for the calculation of statute of limitations and terms under a democratic and social rule of law. The articulation of all dispositions on this field closes loopholes on legislation allowing correct computation of legal terms of hours, days, months and years. Finally, rules and principles for the calculation of time limits and terms are analyzed in a case by case basis in order to provide guidance for lawyers and judges.

Keywords : legal terms and classifications; calculation of civil law time terms; the stability of rules for calculating legal terms and statutes of limitation; dies a quo; dies ad quem and term body; terms of years; months; days and hours.

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