Court Reporting in Honduras

Honduras is not a party to The Hague Evidence Convention, but does permit the taking of voluntary depositions of U.S. citizen willing witnesses.

Honduras is not a party to The Hague Evidence Convention, but does permit the taking of voluntary depositions of U.S. citizen willing witnesses. Voluntary depositions of non-U.S. citizens can only be taken pursuant to a letters rogatory requesting judicial assistance from Honduran courts, however. The requirements for taking depositions of U.S. citizens in Honduras are straightforward and easy to follow using the Planet Depos checklist specific to Honduras depositions.

Allowing enough time (approximately 4-6 weeks is ideal) for scheduling depositions overseas is extremely important because of the logistics associated with the scheduling and planning processes; however, Planet Depos is accustomed to handling last-minute coverage. Counsel will determine whether their witness is willing to be deposed. If so, both parties can stipulate and begin the process of setting up the deposition.

If the witness is unwilling and must be compelled to testify, a letter rogatory is required. For additional information regarding service of process, including steps for a letter rogatory, visit the International Judicial Assistance Website for the Bureau of Consular Affairs.

1. Select the deposition services needed:
   • U.S.-trained court reporter
   • U.S.-trained legal videographer
   • Any language interpreter
2. What is the location of the deposition in Honduras?
   • Do you need Planet Depos to reserve a conference room for you?
3. If not participating in person, do you require videoconferencing services? (If not, please skip to the next item on the checklist.)
   • Do you need a location in Honduras?
   • Will you need a location in the U.S.?
   • Can you attend from your firm’s videoconference suite?
   • Ask about Planet Depos’ Mobile Videoconferencing capabilities!
   • Document production:
     • Do you need assistance with exhibit printing?
4. Select your deposition date
   • • Start time
     • End time
5. Visa restrictions:
   • There is no visa required for travel to Honduras for U.S. citizens.
6. Make travel arrangements
   • • Contact Planet Depos for information about corporate discounts with our partner hotels
     • Flight
     • Car rental
     • Hotel accommodations
7. Have you filled out the Planet Depos Standing Order Form? It’s an easy process that takes less than 60 seconds and will let us know:
   • • Transcript turnaround time (regular or expedited)
     • Who should receive the rough ASCII and final transcript
     • The number of realtime laptops needed
     • Preferred video format (DVD, MPEG1, Loaded DVD, Synchronized Viewer)
8. Send out Notice of Deposition to all counsel, your witness, and Planet Depos
9. Send prep materials to Planet Depos for reporter’s deposition preparation
   • • Notice of deposition
     • Complaint
     • Subpoena
     • Previous transcript(s)
     • Word index
10. Obtain emergency contact information for Planet Depos representatives
11. Provide emergency contact information for counsel
12. Travel safely to Honduras and contact Planet Depos with any questions once you’ve arrived!

With teams living nearby, Planet Depos offers 24/7 assistance for all of your deposition needs in Honduras. Our teams have been covering depositions in Honduras for over 15 years, and are therefore considered one of the leading experts in anything pertaining to covering depositions there. We will be more than happy to share this expertise and guide you through the scheduling process, travel and document assistance in Honduras.

Entry Requirements for Honduras

There are no special visas required to visit Honduras, but you will need to show proof of return or onward travel. You will need a passport valid for at least 6 months, and one blank page for the entry stamp. (Planet Depos recommends when traveling internationally having at least 6 months validity on your passport and at least 2 blank pages for visa stamps.) You will also need to check any countries you pass through for any transit visa requirements, if you are not on a direct flight to Honduras.

For more information, you can also contact the Honduran Embassy (3007 Tilden St NW Washington DC 2008)

Flying to Honduras

There are three major international airports in Honduras:

• Ramon Villeda Morales International Airport (SAP) – San Pedro Sula
• Toncontin International Airport (TGU) – Tegucigalpa
• Juan Manuel Galvez International Airport (RTB) – Roatan

Airlines flying to Honduras include:

• United
• American Airlines
• Delta Airlines

Travel in Honduras

For updated travel alerts and information, please visit the State Department’s webpage

You can also download the SmartTravel App created by the U.S. State Department for your smartphone.

Staying in Honduras

Honduras offers many locations in her bigger cities where depositions may be taken. For example, the capital Tegucigalpa has many brand name hotels to choose from for your lodging and conference room needs. We are more than happy to assist with conference room needs and hotel recommendations.

Medical Information for Honduras

Honduras’ medical care varies quite a bit in quality and availability. Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula offer the best medical care in the country, but outside of these two cities, medical care is inadequate to handle complex cases.

For updated health information, including health travel alerts and immunizations, please visit Honduras-specific website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Money Matters

The currency in Honduras is the Honduran Lempira. The exchange of foreign currency should be done in banks. You can also use ATMs, which are plentiful in the big cities. Most stores will accept Visa and Master Card.

For up-to-date information on the local conversion rate, please visit a reputable currency converter website such as OANDA which also offers an app for smartphones.

Weather

Honduras enjoys a tropical climate which is mostly favorable year-round. The north tends to be hot and humid, and the south is hot and dry. Coastal regions are cooler thanks to sea breezes, and the central regions are coolest, because of their higher elevations. August to December is the wet time of year.

Important Websites & Resources

Embassy of the United States in Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Travel Apps on iOS

App Store for your Android

Interesting Honduras fact

In Yoro, you can experience lluvia de peces (fish rain), when fish literally fall from the sky.