The Court of Appeals of Puerto Rico recently ruled on a case involving a group of vacation club members and the Sol Meliá V.C. Puerto Rico Corporation. This decision affects members of the Sol Meliá Vacation Club who have raised concerns about changes to their membership rights after the company underwent ownership changes following Hurricane María in 2017. The court's ruling is significant as it addresses the rights of consumers in contractual agreements and the ability to amend legal claims.
The case, Francisco Sobrino Y Otros v. Sol Meliá V.C. Puerto Rico Corp. Y Otros, was filed on June 5, 2026, under docket number TA2026CE00652. The petitioners, led by Francisco Sobrino, sought to challenge a lower court's decision that denied their request to amend their complaint against Sol Meliá. This denial came after the petitioners argued that they discovered new evidence related to their claims.
The dispute began in 2004 when Sol Meliá started offering memberships for its vacation club, promising various rights and benefits to members. However, after Hurricane María, the company was sold to Coco Condominium 1 LLC, and the vacation club was rebranded as the Coco Beach Vacation Club. Members were informed that their rights under the original vacation club would no longer apply, leading to the lawsuit filed by Sobrino and others in September 2020. They claimed breach of contract and sought to stop the company from altering their membership benefits.
The case progressed through the courts, with the petitioners facing challenges in gathering evidence and deposing key witnesses. The lower court issued several orders regarding the discovery process, ultimately setting a deadline for the completion of evidence gathering. Despite these efforts, the court denied the petitioners' request to amend their complaint to include additional defendants, citing the timing and potential prejudice to the other parties involved.
In its ruling, the Court of Appeals confirmed the lower court's decision. The court stated, "We do not find that the Court of First Instance erred or abused its discretion in denying the petitioners' request to amend the complaint." The panel, led by Judge Candelaria Rosa, emphasized that the petitioners had ample time to gather evidence and include relevant parties in their lawsuit. The court noted that the petitioners were aware of the individuals they wished to add as defendants for an extended period but failed to act in a timely manner.
The court also highlighted that allowing the amendment at this stage could cause significant delays in the litigation process, which has already been ongoing for over six years. The judges concluded that the lower court acted within its discretion and that the petitioners' lack of diligence contributed to the denial of their request.
This ruling has implications for other consumers involved in similar contractual disputes. It reinforces the importance of timely action in legal proceedings and the challenges that can arise when trying to amend claims after significant delays. The decision serves as a reminder for consumers to be proactive in protecting their rights and to act swiftly when they believe their contractual agreements have been violated.
Looking ahead, it remains unclear whether the petitioners will pursue further legal action or appeal the ruling. The court's decision is final unless challenged in a higher court. There are no indications of related cases pending that could affect this ruling, but it could set a precedent for future disputes involving consumer rights and contract amendments in Puerto Rico.