Revista de Ciencias Jurídicas

Obituary

In Tribute
Dr. Jorge Enrique Romero Pérez
12/13/1943 – 12/28/2025 (R.I.P.)
Honorary Former Director of our Journal of Legal Sciences

This issue No. 169 of the Journal of Legal Sciences, together with the Editorial Board, bids farewell with deep respect and admiration to our Former Director and Honorary Director (1974–2025), Dr. Jorge Enrique Romero Pérez, who: “Was a distinguished Costa Rican academic, professor, and jurist; he educated generations of professionals for more than three decades, leaving an indelible mark on the University of Costa Rica and on the country’s legal thought. His vocation for teaching, his commitment to knowledge, and his human qualities will always be his legacy.”
In our Journal, without any doubt, lies one of his most important legacies to Costa Rican law and an enduring mark of his legal wisdom.

On September 19, 2016, Professors Manuel Amador Hernández, Hernán Esquivel Salas, and Rita Maxera Herrera requested that the Assembly of the Faculty of Law grant Dr. Jorge E. Romero Pérez the status of Professor Emeritus, stating the following: “…he was our Dean and Director of the Institute for Legal Research, …he distinguished our Faculty with a long teaching career, during which he conducted extensive research and published important legal works in his area of expertise. In addition to many other distinctions, he held the title of Humboldt Professor. Finally, Mr. Jorge Enrique directed the Journal of Legal Sciences with perseverance and care for several decades.”

Dr. Romero Pérez earned his Licentiate degree in Law in 1969 at the University of Costa Rica, where he also studied Economics (1967–1970) and obtained a bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in Sociology (1982–1984). He completed his academic doctorate at the Complutense University of Madrid, and his degree was recognized in 1976.

He held the most important positions through which he contributed greatly to Costa Rican legal culture and education, among others: as an outstanding professor of the Faculty of Law for more than 45 years; as a member of the University Council and former president of the FEUCR (1970), where he stood out as a student leader in the protests against ALCOA. He was also Dean of the Faculty of Law (1989–1993), Director of the Institute for Legal Research (2002–2010), and the first coordinator of the Doctorate in Law program (2012–2016). He was particularly notable in his role as director-editor of the Journal of Legal Sciences (of the University of Costa Rica and the Costa Rican Bar Association) and as Honorary Director, which he exercised with great consistency, dedication, and care, turning it into one of the most prestigious journals, modernizing it and projecting it toward the future as an instrument for disseminating our culture and as a formative medium.

He published more than 70 legal works and more than 160 journal articles on topics related to Labor Law, Economic Law, Sociology of Law, Public Procurement, International Public Procurement Law, Law and Electronic Contracting, Administrative Law (general and specialized), State Reform, Domestic and External Debt, Political Parties and Political Power, Public Law, Public Employment, Labor Guarantees, the Social State, Democracy and Law, Constitutional Jurisprudence and Law, International Trade and Globalization, Environmental Law, and, in short, University Autonomy, among others.

In his academic activity as a professor and lecturer, he delivered workshops and seminars and participated in national and international conferences; in these, his work in defense of the Social and Democratic State governed by the Rule of Law stood out, and in particular his critique of globalization trends, leaving his mark on the strengthening of Costa Rican legal culture and the critical teaching of law.

In recognition of his contributions, he received, among others, the following honors: Humboldt Professor, as Researcher (2010); the Rodrigo Facio Brenes Award, as Distinguished Citizen (2010); and Distinguished Lawyer (2009) from the Costa Rican Bar Association.

He also completed fellowships at internationally renowned institutes and universities, including Lewis & Clark College (Portland, Oregon, USA) in 1983; Utrecht University (Netherlands, 2001–2003); Carlos III University of Madrid (2000–2001); Georgetown University and American University (Washington, D.C., 1988–1989); the University of Valladolid (Spain, 2002–2003); and the Ibero-American Institute in Berlin (Germany, 2011). As a result, his publications on European Administrative Law, Good Governance and Citizenship; Law and Globalization; State Reform; Environmental Law; Modernization of the State: democracy and law; the Crisis and External Debt in Latin America; Electronic Public Procurement in the European Community; and International Law of electronic public procurement stood out, reflecting a research experience and scholarly exchange in comparative legal culture.

Among his published works, by way of example, are: The New General Law of Public Procurement in Costa Rica: Exposition and Commentary (San José, Isolma, 2021); Rule of Law and Taxes (San José, Editorial Isolma, 2019); Notes on the 2018 Elections: Sex, Religion, Human Rights and Politics (San José, Editorial Isolma, 2018); Special Administrative Law: Administrative Contracting (San José: Editorial Universidad Estatal a Distancia, 2016); The Public University in Costa Rica (Isolma); Defense of University Autonomy (Special Edition SIEDIN, 2010); Electronic Public Procurement: Costa Rica (San José: Editorial Universidad de Costa Rica, 2013); International Law of Electronic Public Procurement (San José: Editorial Universidad de Costa Rica, 2012); Electronic Credit and Debit Cards (San José: University of Costa Rica, 2011); Public Tendering in Costa Rica (San José: University of Costa Rica, 1975); Special Administrative Law: Administrative Contracting (San José: Distance University Press, EUNED, 2002); State Contracts (San José: EUNED, 1993); General Administrative Law (San José: Distance University Press, 1999 and 2002); Domestic Debt (Costa Rica): Legal Aspects (San José: EUNED, 1998); State Reform (San José: Universidad Estatal a Distancia, EUNED, 1993); Administrative Law: Essays (San José: EUNED, 2nd ed., 1993); The External Debt Crisis in Latin America (San José: University of Costa Rica, 1993); The Laws of Public Transportation (San José: National State Printing House, 1985); Administrative Law and the Costa Rican State (San José: University of Costa Rica, 1984); Anthology on Public Service (San José: University of Costa Rica, 1984); Legal Regulations on Paid Passenger Transport (San José: University of Costa Rica, 1983); Public Service (San José: University of Costa Rica, 1983); Notes on the Problem of the Political Constitution (San José: EUNED, 1981); Parties, Power and Law (San José: University of Costa Rica, 1979); Public Law II: Anthology. Presentation, selection and edition (San José: University of Costa Rica, 1978); Public Law I: Anthology. Presentation, selection and edition (San José: University of Costa Rica, 1977); Analysis of Costa Rica’s First Municipal Code (San José: IFAM, Institute of Municipal Development and Advisory Services, 1975); Course on Labor Law (San José: INA, National Learning Institute, 1968).

As a speaker, he had active participation in more than 100 international conferences and 55 national ones.

The Journal of Legal Sciences, which celebrates its 63rd Anniversary, as well as the Editorial Board and the Editorial Team, deeply regrets his passing and joins in the expressions of appreciation and gratitude toward him and his entire family.

In his farewell tribute, we recall Dr. Romero’s words in the presentation of Issue No. 24–1974: How can we deliver this issue No. 24 to the country without making the pen tremble with the warmth and memory of those who have given everything to carry the written legal message to successive generations of jurists and law students! How can the one who has now been entrusted with keeping the torch of a publication of this nature alive and blazing—in all its dimensions—not stand in solidarity with his colleagues and fellow citizens who gave their knowledge and soul to the editing of a legal journal! How, in short, can one not feel part of a team of Costa Ricans who believe in Law as the exaltation of freedom and human dignity!

Professor Romero dedicated himself to creating a scientific horizon at both the international and national level. In his teaching trips abroad and in his constant and tireless presence at Faculty Assemblies or meetings at the Costa Rican Bar Association, he eloquently and warmly made a point of handing, one by one, to each person present every physically published issue of his beloved Journal. Moreover, in almost every issue, Dr. Romero contributed his own academic and scientific views—like his predecessor, founding director Eduardo Ortiz—on current topics, with an intellectual critical spirit worthy of emulation.

As Professor Emeritus, he was tasked with sustaining and promoting the Journal in very difficult times, securing financing to support its publication, and engaging in dialogue and persuasion about its merits and continuity.

Thank you very much, Don Jorge E. Romero Pérez, for your legacy!

Dr. Enrique Ulate Chacón
Director-Editor