ILN: Establishing A Business Entity: An International Guide

[ESTABLISHING A BUSINESS ENTITY IN COSTA RICA] 127

2.3 Responsibility The shareholders´ legal responsibility in the Corporation is limited to the amount of capital shares belonging to each. 2.4 Administration A Board of Directors composed of at least a President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall administer the corporation. The representation and typically a total power of attorney are granted to the President under the Commercial Code. Still, such powers of attorney may be limited in their amount and functions as the shareholders decide. Other powers of attorney may be granted to other members of the Board. The positions outlined above are the minimum necessary to establish the entity; nevertheless, this does not exclude the possibility of appointing vice presidents, vocals (members at large), etc. 2.5 Comptroller It is required to appoint a Comptroller that will supervise the actions of the Board of Directors. Thus, the Comptroller cannot be related to any of the members of the Board of Directors. Also, the Comptroller cannot be a shareholder and will have no power of attorney to act on behalf

empowered to decide on all matters, including any amendments or modifications to the articles of incorporation, increasing, or reducing the Corporation’s Share Capital, granting powers of attorney, appointing and revoking persons as members of the Board of Directors, etc. 2.8 Minority Rights The protection of minority shareholders is stipulated in Title I, Third, and Seventh Chapters of the Commercial Code. Said regulation establishes as “minority shareholders” those owning shares equal to or less than ten percent (10%) of the share capital. Based on the above, the following details the rights of minority shareholders: ● Right to examine books, correspondence, and other documents of the corporation. Also, they may examine documents and contracts of those transactions that involve the acquisition, sale, mortgage, or pledge of company assets that represent a percentage equal to or greater than 10% of the total asset. In this sense, minority shareholders representing at least 10% of the share capital can appear before a judge to order an audit of the company. ● Right to request information during shareholders' meetings, such as, but not limited to, reports and clarifications regarding topics that are on the agenda. If this information is requested by Shareholders representing at least 10%, there will be no excuse for not providing the information on said grounds. ● Right to receive a report on the results of the company's annual fiscal year (approval of the financial statements) presented by the directors at the ordinary (annual) shareholders meeting.

of the corporation. 2.6 Email address

If none of the Directors vested with the Corporation's legal representation are domiciled in Costa Rica, the Corporation must appoint an email address to receive all administrative and judicial notifications on behalf of the company. This was previously handled by the Resident Agent who had to be a lawyer with an open office in Costa Rica, but the figure was eliminated in 2025. 2.7 Shareholders´ Assemblies The shareholders´ assembly is the maximum body of authority of the corporation, and it is

ILN Corporate Group – Establishing a Business Entity Series

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