Jaime Garrido and partners launches first digital tool for Binding Offers

Jaime Garrido, partner at CEL Abogados, has co-founded a new legal tech startup that introduces Spain’s first digital platform for managing binding offers, a mechanism recognised as an alternative dispute resolution method (MASC).

Since April 2025, nearly three million civil and commercial claims in Spain must comply with the new procedural requirement to attempt an appropriate dispute resolution method before filing in court. The reform places MASC — including mediation, conciliation, expert opinion, negotiation, and binding offers — at the centre of the civil and commercial justice process, with the aim of reducing court congestion and promoting settlement.

Garrido believes this mandatory framework could help shift the litigation culture that dominates Spain’s legal practice. “Many disputes could be resolved amicably without going to court, if lawyers clearly inform their clients of the costs, risks and time involved in litigation”, he says.

In this context, they have developed Binding Offers (Ofertas Vinculantes), an automated platform that enables users to issue and manage offers online at the click of a button. “Courts are heavily congested and technology can help provide more efficient, predictable solutions”, notes Garrido.

The platform, now operational and being tested by several law firms, allows users to manage offers both before filing a claim and during ongoing litigation. Identity verification through digital certificates ensures legal authenticity, while all communications are certified and traceable through eEvidence, a recognised provider of secure digital proof.