Pro bono Legal Services & Animal Law

Animal Law refers to all the laws and statutes that regulate the relationship between human beings and other animals, in particular, those which limit the use, exploitation and ownership of these sentient beings, in order to guarantee the welfare of each individual animal and/or protect their life and physical integrity.

We in Murlà & Contreras Advocats S.L.P. are conscientious of the need for the welfare and protection that animals require in any field. As such we offer our services to individuals, animal protection associations and NGOs, veterinarians, livestock farmers, professional associations, public administrations and any individuals who, for one reason or another, deal with animals or seek to guarantee them a level of well-being and protection in accordance with the currently valid laws.

We here in Murlà & Contreras Advocats, S.L.P. are pioneers in the study and application of Animal Law: Carlos Contreras, our founding partner, holds the first Doctorate cum laude in Animal Law in Spain. Dr. Contreras has extensive experience in the study of Animal Law, with several publications to his name, including:

CONTRERAS, C., Régimen jurídico de los animales en Chile, Colombia y Argentina. Ed. Tirant Lo Blanch (València 2016) ISBN: 978-84-9086-437-1 (Llibre)
CONTRERAS, C., Panorama del Derecho Animal en Latinoamérica, en, Biblioteca de Gobernanza y Derecho Animal. P. 185-242. Editorial Marcial Pons (Madrid 2015) ISBN:9788416402212 (Capítol de llibre)
CONTRERAS C., Los animales de compañía en el sistema integrado de transporte público colectivo de Barcelona, en, Animales y Derecho. P. 138-146 Ed. Tirant Lo Blanch (València 2015) ISBN13:9788490538579 (Capítulo de Libro)

For her part, our partner, Nuria Murlà founded Galgos 112, in 2008, one of the leading associations to protect greyhounds and hunting dogs in Europe.

This association has rescued more than 5,000 dogs subject to mistreatment, exploitation and abandonment, placing them in families around the world as companion animals. Her experience in managing this type of association and her excellent academic training endow her with a very significant advantage over other professionals in the field of Animal Law. Since our office was founded, we have served as the legal team collaborating with Galgos 112, providing pro bono legal services. We are proud to contribute altruistically with our expertise to a cause as noble as the protection of animals.

The experience and know-how of our office in this matter is reflected not only in the favorable results for our clients in the courts, but also in the publications of our partners, both as individuals as well as in joint publication, in national and international journals and other media.

We here in Murlà & Contreras Advocats, S.L.P. have a global vision of Animal Law. We are knowledgeable of the legislation applicable to animals at the local, autonomous community, state, European and international level and we continue training every day to maintain our advantageous position in the legal defense of animals and those who care for them.

We here in Murlà & Contreras Advocats, S.L.P. take on any case or controversy of a private or public nature, in which any of the following are involved:

Companion animals

More than half of the residents in Barcelona live together with companion animals. Currently, there is no law office which is dedicated exclusively to Animal Law matters. Consequently, Murlà & Contreras Advocats S.L.P., offers a much needed service.

Civil Law

Companion animals, neighborhood communities and rental contracts: We can help you when they tell you that having a companion animal in your community or rented apartment is prohibited.
Companion animals in divorce proceedings or separation: We can request custody for your companion animal, in addition to handling the divorce proceedings.
Wills in favor of companion animals: We help you to create clauses in wills to benefit animals.
Civil liability due to veterinary negligence: Compensation due to damage and harms. Veterinary and etiological expert opinions.
Extra-contractual civil liability due to damages caused by companion animal: Traffic accidents, bites and damages to persons or other animals.
Drafting adoption contracts and corrective actions in case of non-compliance: Advice to associations and individuals who want to adopt a companion animal.

Criminal Law

Drafting complaints and presenting claims: For crimes of Abuse and abandonment of companion animals (arts. 337 and 337 bis of the Criminal Code).
Defense: In cases where one has acted to save the life or protect the physical integrity of a companion facing abuse or abandonment.

Administrative Law

Processing permits and licenses to establish animal refuge centers: In accordance with article 204 of the Ordinance on the protection, ownership and sale of animals of Barcelona, refuge centers for companion animals must comply with the requirements established in its specific regulation and the regulation on zoo centers. As such, we review the regulations and perform the necessary processes to establish a companion animal refuge center.
Processing the documentation necessary to travel with companion animals: Travel in airplane (transatlantic journeys). Processes with airlines and animal entry and exit permits.Traveling with companion animals is regulated by community and national health regulations. As such, we process all the certificates and permits which accredit that the companion animal complies with the entry health requisites, given that non-compliance can lead to the animal being sent to quarantine or back to the country of origin.

Others

Training and education courses: On the responsible ownership of companion animals, welfare of companion animals and management of cat colonies.
Legal Reports: Research work on the legal problems related with companion animals.

Farm or production animals

There is an extensive amount of regulation approved by the European Union that affects farm animals. In particular, the European Union has established minimum principles and standards with regards to production animals concerning breeding, transport and slaughter. However this regulation is not applied or implemented as it should be.

Civil Law

Civil liability due to veterinary negligence: Compensation due to damage and harms. Veterinary and etiological expert opinions.
Extra-contractual civil liability due to damages caused by farm animals: Traffic accidents and damages to persons or other animals.

Criminal Law

Drafting complaints and presenting claims: For crimes of Abuse and abandonment of companion animals (arts. 337 and 337 bis of the Criminal Code).
Defense: In cases where one has acted to save the life or protect the physical integrity of a companion facing abuse or abandonment.

Administrative Law

Complaints and sanctioning procedures: We lodge administrative complaints and we initiate sanctioning procedures due to violations of the regulations on the breeding, transport and slaughter of production animals of any species.
Assessment and processing the documentation necessary for the transport of production animals: Internal transport and transport within the European Union. Import and export of production animals. Traveling with production animals is regulated by community and national health regulations. As such, we process all the certificates and permits which accredit that the animals comply with entry health requirements.
Processing permits and licenses to establish a sanctuary for farm animals: Sanctuaries for farm animals are legally considered as a mass farming operation. As such, all the regulations from the Department of Agriculture and Livestock and the regulation regarding zoo centers are applicable.

Others

Advice to farmers: We advise agents involved in farming so that they can correctly apply national and community regulations concerning animal welfare, to avoid penalties.

Education and training courses: On the interpretation and application of the current legislation concerning farm animals and their welfare.

Legal Reports: Related to the application and interpretation of the legislation regarding farm animals and their welfare.

Wild Animals

Wild animals are connected with human beings in different ways. For example, they are connected through the trade of exotic species, zoo centers, sanctuaries and exhibits, shows with wild animals, hunting and managing invasive species. Therefore there is a great deal of legislation which must be applied and respected.

Civil Law

Civil liability due to veterinary negligence: Compensation due to damage and harms. Veterinary and etiological expert opinions.
Extra-contractual civil liability due to damages caused by wild animals in the possession of individuals: Traffic accidents and damages to persons or other animals.

Administrative Law

Complaints and sanctioning procedures: We lodge administrative claims and we start sanctioning proceedings due to violations of the regulations that govern the trade of endangered species, zoo centers, exhibits and shows with animals, hunting and managing invasive species.

Assessment and processing import permits and performing customs processes for species contained in the annexes of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Others

Assessment: For the agents involved in the activity in question so that they can correctly apply national and community regulations related to the welfare of wild animals.
Education and training courses: On the interpretation and application of the current legislation about wild animals and on the welfare of the animals kept in captivity.
Legal Reports: On the legal problems related to the application and interpretation of legislation concerning wild animals.