A Puerto Rico court recently reversed a lower court's decision in a case involving a dispute over real estate commissions. The ruling affects Edmarie De Jesús Sánchez and Luis Guillermo Méndez Lugo, who are both real estate brokers. The court's decision allows for further proceedings to determine the outcome of the case.
The case, Edmarie De Jesús Sánchez v. Luis Guillermo Méndez Lugo H/N/C My House Realty, was filed on August 26, 2026, under docket number TA2026AP00754. The dispute arose when Sánchez claimed that Méndez owed her money for real estate services rendered. The lower court had initially ruled in favor of Sánchez, ordering Méndez to pay her a total of $4,375, plus additional fees. However, Méndez appealed the decision, leading to the recent ruling by the Tribunal De Apelaciones De Puerto Rico.
The parties involved in this case are Edmarie De Jesús Sánchez, the appellant, and Luis Guillermo Méndez Lugo, the appellee, who operates under the name My House Realty. The dispute began when Sánchez filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court of Ponce on July 11, 2025. She alleged that she and Méndez had a contractual agreement regarding the distribution of commissions for real estate transactions. Sánchez claimed she was owed $4,375 after receiving a partial payment for her services. Méndez, on the other hand, denied owing the amount and argued that he had already paid her $5,000 for the commission.
The case progressed through the courts, with Sánchez filing a motion for summary judgment, which the lower court granted on May 26, 2026. The court ruled that Sánchez's claims were valid and that Méndez had failed to oppose her motion in a timely manner. The court ordered Méndez to pay the owed amount along with attorney's fees and interest. However, Méndez appealed this decision, arguing that the lower court had made several errors.
The Tribunal De Apelaciones reviewed the case and ultimately ruled in favor of Méndez. The court found that the lower court had erred by issuing a summary judgment before the 20-day period for Méndez to respond had elapsed. The court stated, "the TPI adjudicated prematurely the request for summary judgment and deprived the appellant of the opportunity that the Civil Procedure Rules recognized to present his opposition and the evidence he deemed pertinent." This ruling means that the case will be sent back to the lower court for further proceedings.
The impact of this ruling is significant for both parties. It allows Méndez to present his defense and any evidence he may have to support his claims regarding the commission dispute. The court's decision also emphasizes the importance of following procedural rules in legal proceedings, particularly regarding the timing of responses to motions. This ruling may set a precedent for similar cases in the future, highlighting the necessity for courts to adhere to established timelines and procedures.
Looking ahead, the case will return to the lower court for continued proceedings. Méndez will now have the opportunity to present his arguments and evidence regarding the commission dispute. There is no indication in the court filing that this ruling will be appealed further, but both parties may still seek to resolve the matter through negotiation or settlement.