Ley 712 de 2001

This provision is the preamble of Law 712 of 2001, which states that it reforms the Labor Procedure Code and includes publication and repeal notices.

Este artículo indica que los asuntos de la Jurisdicción Ordinaria en sus especialidades laboral y de seguridad social se tramitan conforme a este Código, y que el Código pasa a llamarse "Código Procesal del Trabajo y de la Seguridad Social".

The ordinary labor and social security courts have competence to hear the listed labor, union, social security, arbitration, review, and related enforcement matters.

El lugar competente para conocer del asunto se fija por el último lugar donde se prestó el servicio o por el domicilio del demandado, a elección del demandante.

Before filing certain contentious actions against public bodies, the administrative claim must be exhausted first.

En procesos contra la Nación, conoce el juez laboral del circuito del último lugar donde se prestó el servicio o del domicilio del demandante, a elección del demandante; si no existe juez laboral del circuito en el lugar, conoce el juez civil del circuito.

For lawsuits against a department, venue is with the labor court of the circuit at the last place where the service was performed in that department or its capital, at the plaintiff’s choice; if there is no such labor court, the civil circuit judge hears the case.

For lawsuits against a municipality, the labor circuit judge at the place where the service was provided is competent; if there is no labor circuit judge there, the local civil circuit judge hears the case.

Para demandas contra entidades del sistema de seguridad social integral, conoce el juez laboral del circuito del domicilio de la entidad o del lugar de la reclamación, a elección del demandante.

Los jueces laborales del circuito conocen los casos laborales según la cuantía: en única instancia si no exceden de 10 salarios mínimos legales mensuales más altos vigentes, y en primera instancia los demás. Si no existe juez laboral del circuito, conoce el juez civil del circuito.

This article sets which Colombian labor courts can hear specific appeals, reviews, annulments, complaints, and competence disputes, and it assigns who issues the judgments and interlocutory orders.

El Ministerio Público puede intervenir en los procesos laborales conforme a la ley.

This provision lists what a labor/social security complaint must include.

El demandante puede acumular varias pretensiones en una misma demanda si se cumplen ciertos requisitos, y también hay reglas especiales para prestaciones periódicas, varios demandantes y demandas ejecutivas.

A demand must include the listed attachments, and if the defendant’s legal existence/representation proof cannot be attached, that fact may be sworn and is not a reason for return; the judge must take steps to obtain it.

If the judge finds the claim does not meet the required requirements, the judge must return it to the claimant, who then has 5 days to fix the defects. The claimant may also amend the claim once within 5 days after the transfer period ends.

If the plaintiff says under oath that the defendant’s address is unknown, the judge must appoint a curator ad litem and serve the defendant by edict. The judge may not issue judgment until service is completed.

If the defendant does not answer or appear after personal service, the case continues without a new summons; if the claimant does not appear, the case also continues. After six months without any notification step, the judge must file the case or continue only with the main claim.

La parte demandada debe contestar la demanda con datos, respuestas claras sobre los hechos, fundamentos de defensa, solicitud de pruebas y excepciones; además debe adjuntar ciertos documentos y subsanar defectos en 5 días si el juez los señala.

El juez debe decidir las excepciones previas en la oportunidad prevista, y las excepciones de mérito se resuelven en la sentencia. La cosa juzgada y la prescripción pueden proponerse como previas en los casos indicados; si el demandante debe contraprobar, presenta la prueba en el acto.

Regulates how court notices must be delivered, including personal service, oral notice in hearings, notice by posted states, by edict, and by conduct suggesting notice was received.

Las actuaciones judiciales en las instancias deben hacerse oralmente en audiencia pública, con algunas excepciones, y el juez puede limitar el tiempo de intervención.

El juez debe fijar la fecha y hora de la siguiente audiencia antes de terminar cada audiencia; hay límites y reglas sobre suspensiones y aplazamientos.

The judge must personally take all evidence. If that is impossible because of location, the judge may commission another judge to take it.

Simple copies of specified documents are treated as authentic, and in general documents or simple copies filed as evidence are treated as authentic unless they are being used as an executive title.

Las partes pueden pedir la exhibición de documentos, de forma conjunta o separada de la inspección judicial.

Si una parte impide que se practique una inspección ordenada, puede quedar perjudicada con la presunción de hechos en su contra y, si no procede la confesión, con multa.

If a third party’s refusal prevents a judicial inspection without justified cause, a brief fine of 3 monthly legal minimum wages is imposed in favor of the Superior Council of the Judiciary.

This article says which appeals may be brought against judicial orders and notes that it is repealed from 2 April 2026.

This provision lists which first-instance orders can be appealed and sets how and when the appeal must be filed and processed.

The extraordinary review appeal is available against final judgments issued by the Labor Chamber of the Supreme Court, the Labor Chambers of the Superior Tribunals, and Labor Judges of the Circuit in ordinary proceedings.

This article lists the grounds on which a judgment may be reviewed, including false documents, false testimony, a judge’s criminal act, and professional misconduct by a judicial agent or mandatary.

A recurso may be filed within six months after the criminal judgment becomes final, but it cannot go beyond five years from the labor judgment or conciliation, as applicable.

To file the review appeal, the appellant must submit a petition to the competent authority and include the required identifying details, case information, documentary evidence, and extra copies.

La Corte o el Tribunal debe revisar la demanda y decidir si la admite; si se rechaza, al apoderado del recurrente se le impone multa, y contra esa decisión no cabe recurso.

La sentencia de segunda instancia y los autos apelados deben ajustarse a las materias del recurso de apelación.