ARRIETA, MANTILLA & ASOCIADOS offers an experienced team with in-depth knowledge of the public sector in Colombia.

Carlos Gustavo Arrieta, one of the founding partners, has acted as agent of the Colombian Government in two claims filed by Nicaragua before the International Court of Justice – ICJ –, regarding a territorial dispute in the Caribbean. These are unique cases, since they are the only state-state international dispute faced by Colombia presently.

Yady Villaquirán has relevant experience in administrative, constitutional, and international law. Matters that she has developed in the Firm but also, being a professor of Public Contracts at Universidad Católica de Colombia (2020), Introduction to Law (2007), and Securities (2007) at Colegio de Estudios Superiores de Administración (CESA).

Our focus and significant clients

At a national level, the Firm provides assistance to private companies on administrative and constitutional matters which include, judicial review claims before the Constitutional Court and “Tutelas” (special constitutional procedures).

Moreover, we advise different companies and public entities on administrative procedures before national authorities, which include fiscal liability procedures, administrative fines in the fuels and hydrocarbon sector, and the analysis and participation in the issuance of rules and decrees by the government.

On the regulatory side, the Firm represents Comunicación Celular S.A. – Comcel S.A. –, part of the America Movil group of Mexico and the largest cellphone company in Colombia, in issues before the Commission for the Regulation of Communications and the Ministry of Technologies and Communications. Furthermore, the Firm has a deep knowledge of the Mining and Hydrocarbons sector, which is supported by an extensive experience working with leading companies such as Drummond Ltd., Cerrejón Zona Norte S.A., Carbones del Cerrejón Limited, Cerro Matoso S.A. and Ecopetrol S.A., among others.

Another important aspect of public law handled includes public procurement, public contracts, and projects. Our lawyers have participated in the planning and preliminary stages of a series of large projects in Colombia. Additionally, we act throughout the execution of public contracts and the relationship with the contracting entity and the Colombian State in general. Due to our close relationship with mining sector, we have had an active role regarding the infrastructure associated to the mining business (trains and ports).

In addition to the previous matters, the Firm acts as the attorney in different judicial review procedures of administrative acts taken by the government before the Colombian administrative jurisdiction. In these matters the Firm currently provides legal advice to relevant clients such as British American Tobbaco and Celsia S.A.