The Puerto Rico Court of Appeals recently denied a petition for certiorari in the case of Las Nenas Realty Corporation v. Saleem Saba Saab, affecting the ongoing legal dispute over a contract and financial obligations. The ruling, issued on April 16, 2026, means that the initial court's decision stands, impacting the parties involved in the case.
The dispute began when Las Nenas Realty Corporation filed a lawsuit against Saleem Saba Saab and others on June 20, 2025, alleging breach of contract and seeking payment for services rendered. The case was initially heard in the Bayamón Superior Court, where the court had to address issues related to the proper notification of the defendants.
In response to the difficulties in serving the defendants, the plaintiff requested permission to serve the defendants via public notice, which the court granted. This method of service is typically used when the whereabouts of a defendant are unknown. The court allowed the publication of the notice, and the defendants were notified at their last known address.
Despite the plaintiff's efforts, the defendants did not respond to the lawsuit within the required timeframe. Consequently, the court noted their default and issued a ruling against them. The defendants later sought to overturn this ruling, claiming that the notification process was flawed and did not meet the legal standards necessary for proper jurisdiction.
On March 10, 2026, the Bayamón Superior Court denied the defendants' motion to vacate the judgment, stating that the notification process had been sufficient. The defendants then appealed this decision to the Puerto Rico Court of Appeals, arguing that the lower court had erred in its judgment.
The court, led by Judge MartÃnez Cordero, reviewed the appeal and ultimately ruled against the defendants. The court stated, "The petitioners have not persuaded us that the lower court's decision was manifestly erroneous or that it constituted a failure of justice." This ruling effectively upholds the previous court's decision and denies the defendants any relief from the judgment.
This ruling has significant implications for the parties involved. The defendants, Saleem Saba Saab and Jennifer Dawn Saab, must now comply with the court's judgment, which includes financial obligations to Las Nenas Realty Corporation. The ruling also reinforces the court's stance on the adequacy of service by public notice in cases where defendants cannot be located.
Going forward, this decision may influence how similar cases are handled in Puerto Rico, particularly regarding the standards for service of process and the courts' discretion in allowing appeals based on jurisdictional claims. The ruling could establish a precedent for future cases where defendants claim inadequate notification as a defense against default judgments.
As for the next steps, the defendants have the option to appeal this decision to the Puerto Rico Supreme Court. However, it remains unclear whether they will pursue this route or if there are any related cases pending that could further complicate the matter.