Our offices are located in Futura Business Plaza, Lindora, Santa Ana. Schedule a meeting today.
Simple Legal Consulting (SLC) is a law firm in Costa Rica helping individuals, families, investors, and businesses with immigration, real estate, corporate law, estate planning, and dispute resolution. We provide clear advice and personal attention through every chapter of your life in Costa Rica.
Vision. To establish ourselves as the boutique law firm of choice for a select group of discerning and reputable clients, fostering relationships built on trust, learning, and mutual pride.
Mission. To provide high-quality legal and consulting services that transform complex processes into clear, human, and well-executed pathways. We simplify business and personal matters, protect what truly matters, and act with unwavering integrity.
Life in Costa Rica. Made Simpler.
Moving to a new country. Buying a home. Starting a business. Planning for the future. Life brings important decisions, and sometimes unexpected changes.
At Simple Legal Consulting (SLC), we support individuals, families, investors, and businesses through each chapter of life in Costa Rica. We help you understand your options, protect your interests, and move forward with clear advice and personal attention. Our work is to simplify the complex, safeguard your interests with integrity, and guide you with rigor, strategy, and humanity.
Many clients come to us with questions, incomplete information, or frustrating past experiences. We begin by listening, clarifying your legal situation, and explaining your options in plain language. From there, we outline a practical path tailored to your circumstances, with honest advice and realistic timelines.
Live in Costa Rica. Make Costa Rica your home. We guide you through visas, residency, and citizenship, helping you choose the right path and understand each step along the way.
Buy & Build Properties Safely in Costa Rica. Understand your investment before you commit. We check a property’s legal status, review contracts, and help identify risks before you buy or build. Make informed decisions from the start. Explore our practical resources on living and investing in Costa Rica, including our Practical Guide for Property Buyers.
Start a Company. Give your business a solid legal foundation. We help you establish your company, structure ownership, prepare contracts, and manage the legal obligations that come with running it.
Private Clients. Take care of what matters to you. From opening a bank account to marriage, family matters, asset protection, wills, and estate planning, we provide personal legal support as your needs evolve.
Resolve a Legal Problem. When life takes an unexpected turn, know where you stand. We explain your options and represent your interests through negotiation, litigation, and arbitration.
Expert Legal Solutions for Corporations, Investors & Expats in Costa RicaHerman Duarte, founder of Simple Legal Consulting (SLC).Strategic legal counsel for those who demand clarity, precision, and unwavering protection of their interests.
Herman is a Salvadoran, Swiss, and Costa Rican attorney, naturalized by choice and love for Costa Rica, and the founder of Simple Legal Consulting (SLC). With over 15 years of international legal experience - since 2010-, he has earned a reputation as a trusted advisor in the fields of immigration, corporate law, real estate, and dispute resolution. His approach blends legal precision with strategic thinking and genuine human care, making him a key partner for investors, entrepreneurs, and individuals seeking legal clarity and protection in Costa Rica.
He is licensed to practice law in El Salvador (2010) and Costa Rica (2013). His academic background includes an LL.B. from ESEN, a degree validation from the University of Costa Rica, an LL.M. in International Law from Stockholm University, and an MSc. in Human Rights from the London School of Economics, the latter awarded through the prestigious Chevening Scholarship, the most important award in the UK.
At the helm of Simple Legal Consulting, Herman leads a boutique firm built on trust, transparency, and results. His areas of focus include:
Corporate structuring and business advisory
Immigration and residency (investors, rentistas, digital nomads, executives, families, etc.)
Real estate transactions and foreign investment (free trade zone regime, investment protection)
Strategic criminal and civil litigation, arbitration, and negotiation
Regulatory compliance and complex contract review
Over the years, Herman has advised clients across industries such as technology, fintech, real estate, tourism, agriculture, healthcare, education, and entertainment. Known for his ability to turn complex legal challenges into clear strategies, he communicates with precision and delivers with results.
Herman is also the author of two books and over 200 legal publications, and has been a featured speaker at legal forums in more than 14 cities such as London, New York, Paris, and San José. He remains deeply committed to staying ahead of legal and regulatory developments so his clients benefit from cutting-edge insight and informed legal strategies.
“Every client has a vision. My role is to protect it, shape it, and give it a strong legal foundation. I only take on matters where I know I can make a real difference.”
With Herman Duarte, you don’t just get legal advice—you gain a trusted partner who protects your interests as if they were his own.
📩 Request a Consultation – Let’s Find the Right Legal Strategy for You.
WHY CLIENTS TRUST US
Every client comes looking for something different: security, order, speed, protection, clarity.
What they all find is a way of working that is serious, human, and transparent.
We explain the complex in simple terms
If you can’t understand your own process, something is wrong.
We turn technical language into clear, direct guidance.
We work fast
We don’t abandon cases or leave emails unanswered.
Efficiency is a core part of our practice.
We are direct and transparent
We prefer the truth from day one.
No inflated expectations, no surprise endings.
We think strategically
Your case is not a formality; it is part of your life, your plan, or your business.
We make decisions with your long-term interests in mind.
We take care of our clients
Legal matters often create anxiety.
Our goal is for you to feel supported, not confused or alone.
We do not exaggerate results
Honesty is essential.
We never promise what we cannot deliver.
We avoid unnecessary expenses
We do not send you into procedures or steps that add nothing.
Our job is to protect you, not complicate your life.
How We Work: Integrity and Precision
Our process is designed to give you clarity from the start, reduce uncertainty, and move forward in an organized way. Each stage aims to prevent mistakes, anticipate risks, and ensure you understand what is happening, where your case stands, and what comes next.
1. You tell us about your case — in a free first consultation
We listen before anything else.
No assumptions, no rushed conclusions, no generic answers.
We analyze your real situation, your objectives, your timelines, and your concerns.
Every process begins with an honest and simple conversation.
2. We explain your options without embellishment
Legal clarity only exists when someone tells you the truth.
You won’t see complicated speeches or unrealistic scenarios.
We explain what is possible, what is not, what makes sense, and what carries risk.
With realistic timelines and concrete steps.
3. We design a clear roadmap and review risks
We turn complexity into an organized work plan.
We identify risks, review documents, anticipate obstacles, and outline the safest route forward.
The goal is to save you time, money, and energy by avoiding unnecessary processes.
4. We guide you through every stage until the final resolution
We stay by your side throughout the entire process.
We respond quickly, keep you updated, coordinate documents, prepare strategies, and handle unexpected issues.
Your case is never passed around — we personally accompany each phase until we reach the final result.
NEWS
Media presence, conferences, and publications
We believe in critical thinking, legal education, and the responsibility of contributing to public conversation.
That is why we share analysis, opinions, and specialized content on migration, investment, human rights, regulation, urban development, technology, arbitration, public reform, and topics relevant to investors and expatriates.
Here you will find articles published in La República, La Prensa Gráfica, interviews with LexLatin, lectures delivered at international universities, participation in forums on legal technology, digital nomads, arbitration, and commentary on significant judicial decisions.
This section reflects not only experience but also independent judgment and a clear point of view.
The combination of legal practice, research, and public commentary has positioned Herman as a respected voice in migration, corporate, and international law in the region.
Presence in Media, News and Conferences
📍 Expert Guidance for Costa Rican Immigration
We specialize in Costa Rican immigration law, representing both companies and individuals before the General Directorate of Migration and Foreigners (DGME).
✅Residency Applications: We assist with temporary and permanent residency under the following categories:
Investor – $200,000+ investment in real estate, securities, or business.
Rentista – Proof of $2,500/month passive income for the next 2 years.
Pensionado – Pension income of $1,000+ per month.
COMEX Residency – For executives working in multinational companies.
Company Manager – Business owners setting up operations in Costa Rica.
✅ Digital Nomad Visa: For remote workers earning $3,000+ per month, offering tax exemptions and ease of doing business while working from Costa Rica.
With clear guidance and strategic support, we simplify the complexities of immigration law, ensuring a smooth and stress-free process.
📩 Request a Consultation – Let’s Begin Your Residency Process
📍 Exclusive Legal Services for Investors & Businesses in Costa Rica
At Simple Legal Consulting (SLC), we specialize in protecting and empowering investors by providing high-level corporate and investment legal solutions.
✅ Company Formation & Corporate Structuring – We establish Costa Rican corporations tailored to your business needs, if you want to create one, just fill out this form and we can fix it in one week.
✅ Due Diligence for Investments & Real Estate – Comprehensive legal risk assessments before purchasing property or companies (Download Our Free Practical Guide).
✅ Free Trade Zone Authorization – We handle applications for tax-exempt operations under the Free Trade Zone regime.
✅ Ongoing Legal Advisory – Dedicated support in commercial, labor, and tax matters to ensure smooth business operations.
✅ Fixed-Fee Legal Subscription – Enjoy predictable legal costs with our monthly-renewable corporate legal packages—tailored for businesses that value stability and efficiency.
With exclusive, personalized legal counsel, we protect your investments, minimize risks, and ensure long-term success in Costa Rica.
📩 Request a Consultation – Secure Your Business & Investments Today
⚖️ High-Level Legal Representation – Arbitration, Litigation & Human Rights Advocacy
At Simple Legal Consulting (SLC), we provide elite legal representation for clients who require discreet, strategic, and results-driven advocacy in high-stakes disputes.
✅ Premier Arbitration & Litigation Counsel – We handle complex cases in criminal, commercial, labor, and constitutional law, ensuring aggressive and effective representation.
✅ Strategic Dispute Resolution – Our proactive, solution-oriented approach minimizes risks while securing favorable outcomes.
✅ International Human Rights Advocacy – We represent clients before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and United Nations expert mechanisms, ensuring their rights are upheld at the highest level.
✅ Exclusive Legal Representation – We selectively take on cases where our expertise delivers the strongest impact, ensuring personalized, dedicated attention to every client.
When the stakes are high, elite legal representation makes the difference.
📩 Request a Confidential Consultation – Protect Your Rights with Expert Counsel