Legal Definitions - hombre bueno

Hombre bueno

A term from Spanish law, hombre bueno literally translates to "good man." It refers to an individual recognized for their integrity, sound judgment, and respected standing within their community. In legal contexts, this term can signify several roles:

• An impartial person chosen by parties in a dispute to act as an arbitrator, helping to resolve their differences outside of formal court proceedings.
• A judicial officer, such as a judge, who presides over legal cases.
• A reputable citizen whose character and honesty are well-regarded, making them a credible and competent witness in a legal matter.

Here are some examples illustrating the application of hombre bueno:

• Example 1 (Arbitrator): Two neighboring families in a rural community in a Spanish-speaking country have a long-standing disagreement over property boundaries. Instead of initiating a lawsuit, they mutually agree to ask a respected village elder, known for his fairness and deep understanding of local traditions, to hear both sides and propose a binding solution. This elder acts as an hombre bueno, chosen by the parties to impartially resolve their conflict based on his trusted judgment and community standing.
• Example 2 (Competent Witness): During a trial in a Latin American country concerning a local business dispute, the defense attorney calls upon the town's highly esteemed doctor, who has served the community for decades and is known for her unimpeachable honesty, to testify about the defendant's excellent reputation and character. The doctor serves as an hombre bueno because her widely recognized integrity and trustworthiness make her a highly credible and competent witness whose testimony would carry significant weight in court.
• Example 3 (Formal Arbitrator/Judge): When two large corporations in a Spanish-speaking nation face a complex contractual dispute, they decide to avoid protracted litigation. They jointly appoint a retired Supreme Court justice, renowned for his profound legal expertise and unbiased decision-making throughout his career, to arbitrate their case. In this scenario, the retired justice functions as an hombre bueno, selected by the parties for his integrity, legal acumen, and ability to render a fair and authoritative decision.