case underlined that the Banco de Montevideo had not proved “that the ‘intellectuality’
of the plaintiffs was above average, to allow them to be aware of the increased risks of
the operation with the TCB.” 203 In another of these cases, the court took into account
“that these were not professional investors, but merely depositors.”204
114. Also, in at least six other cases before the ordinary jurisdiction, in which the
Banco de Montevideo was not found responsible, the courts examined and confirmed the
bank’s obligation to provide truthful and complete information to its clients, under either
the norms of the Commercial Code, for consumer protection, or the commission
contract. However, these cases were dismissed by the courts owing to lack of evidence
or because the plaintiffs had not in fact alleged the said situations or non-compliance.205
B.
RIGHT TO BE HEARD AND GUARANTEES OF DUE PROCESS OF LAW
115. The Court notes that, in this case, no violation has been alleged regarding the
creation of the special administrative procedure under article 31 of Law 17,613, or with
regard to the requirements established in this norm in order to benefit from it.206 In the
instant case, the Court is called upon to determine whether, in the procedures in which
the said norm was applied, the guarantees of due process and judicial protection of the
alleged victims were violated. It is not incumbent on this Court to determine whether or
not the alleged victims in the instant case comply with the requirements of article 31 of
Law 17,613, or whether their petitions should have been considered favorably.
Consequently, the different situations in which the alleged victims could be classified as
regards the merits of their petitions are not relevant to this Court. These different
situations could be relevant in the domestic sphere to determine whether they should be
money safeguarded so that he can withdraw it and buy a business and, therefore, can be classified as a bank
client who has no knowledge of the banking markets and their risks,” while the Court of Appeal agreed with
the court of first instance that the average bank client is unaware of the norms and instruments that regulate
the financial sector.
203
Proceedings entitled “Adrien Clavijo Paulina v. Banco de Montevideo in liquidation et al. – Recovery of
pesos – Damages.” File No. 2-59458/2005. Judgment No. 15 of the First Court of First Instance for insolvency
proceedings of April 24, 2007, and Judgment No. 92 of the 2nd Civil Court of Appeal of April 16, 2008 (file of
attachments to the answer, volume III, attachment 27, folios 14008).
204
Proceedings entitled “Marenales Escrich, Jorge et al. v. Banco de Montevideo S.A. (in liquidation) et
al. – Other Proceedings.” File No. 2-3004/2006. Judgment No. 138 of the 6th Civil Court of Appeal of July 16,
2010 (file of attachments to the answer, volume V, attachment 27, folio 15005).
205
Cf. Proceedings entitled “Leite Rivero, Carlos v. Banco de Montevideo S.A. in liquidation et al. – Other
Proceedings – Compliance with contract plus Damages.” File No. 2-25764/2006. Judgment No. 1 of the First
Court of First Instance for insolvency proceedings of March 9, 2009, and Judgment No. 89 of the 3rd Civil
Court of Appeal of April 13, 2010 (file of attachments to the answer, volume V, attachment 27, folios 15091 to
15119); Proceedings entitled “Pereira Da Silva, Probo v. Banco de Montevideo S.A. (in liquidation) et al. –
Reimbursement of funds – Damages.” File No. 2-60.855/2004. Judgment No. 178 of the 4th Civil Court of
Appeal of July 22, 2009 (file of attachments to the answer, volume V, attachment 27, folios 14899 to 14909);
Proceedings entitled “Luzardo Zafi, Ma. Rosa et al. v. Banco de Montevideo S.A. in liquidation et al. –
Damages.” File No. 2-25200/2006. Judgment No. 12 of the First Court of First Instance for insolvency
proceedings of August 6, 2010 (file of attachments to the answer, volume IV, attachment 27, folios 14351 to
14366); Proceedings entitled “Demicheri, Luis Julio and Alvaro Julio v. Banco de Montevideo S.A. and Central
Bank of Uruguay – Recovery of pesos, Damages.” File No. 41-172/2003. Judgment No. 110 of the 3rd Civil
Court of Appeal of May 23, 2008 (file of attachments to the answer, volume IV, attachment 27, folios 14391 to
14400); Proceedings entitled “Castellano Martínez, Gabriel et al. v. Banco de Montevideo S.A. (In liquidation)
et al. – Non-compliance with contract. Damages.” File No. 2-695/2005. Judgment No. 14 of the First Court of
First Instance for insolvency proceedings of April 19, 2007, and Judgment No. 51 of the 1st Civil Court of
Appeal of March 26, 2008 (file of attachments to the answer, volume IV, attachment 27, folios 14603 to
14636), and Proceedings entitled “Supervielle, Ma. Mercedes v. Banco de Montevideo et al. – Contractual
liability.” File No. 2-225759/2006. Judgment No. 20 of the First Court of First Instance for insolvency
proceedings of November 20, 2008, and Judgment No. 168 of the 2nd Civil Court of Appeal of May 26, 2010
(file of attachments to the answer, volume VI, attachment 27, folios 15439 to 15480).
206
In this regard, the representatives even stated during the public hearing before the Court that they
“had never doubted the legality of the Law, or the contents of article 31.”
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