Advocat Garraf is the practice of an English-speaking Spanish lawyer, Esteban Cañaz Varela (Barcelona Bar, ICAB no. 48842), for British, Irish, American and other international residents and property owners in Sitges, Vilanova i la Geltrú and the Garraf. After five years working in Switzerland, he deals with clients directly in English, by appointment in Sitges or Vilanova, at the office in Vilafranca del Penedès, and by video call. Urgent criminal matters, divorce, buying or selling a property, inheritance, paperwork: call 618 799 647 or message WhatsApp for a same-day reply.
Why an English-speaking lawyer in Sitges
Sitges has one of the largest international communities in Catalonia: retirees living here all year, second-home owners, families, entrepreneurs. The legal problems are the same as any neighbour’s, but the language, the deadlines and an administration that rarely explains itself turn them into emergencies. A court interpreter is no substitute for a lawyer who explains, before the hearing, what is going to happen and what has to be decided.
Urgent criminal matters: summons, drink-driving, arrest
A foreign national has exactly the same rights as a Spaniard in criminal proceedings: a lawyer from the first moment, the right to remain silent, a free interpreter, consular notification. What changes is the need to understand what is being decided, and by when.
We handle minor offences and immediate trials, fast-track trials, drink-driving and police custody, complaints and statements. If you are abroad when the summons arrives at your Sitges address, we organise your appearance or, where possible, your representation.
A summons, a lawsuit or a deadline running?
Call now or message us on WhatsApp. Same-day reply and a fixed written quote within 24 hours.
Family: divorce, custody, international couples
Jurisdiction, the law applicable to the matrimonial property regime and maintenance, recognition of the judgment in the UK, Ireland or the US: we prepare uncontested and notarial divorces with agreements drafted to work on both sides of the border, and we act in custody and child relocation matters.
Buying or selling a property in Sitges
Before signing a deposit contract (contrato de arras), you need to check the land registry extract (nota simple), charges and mortgages, planning status, the habitability certificate, the energy certificate, community charges and the taxes on the transaction (ITP, or VAT and stamp duty, depending on the case), which we calculate before you sign. We accompany the international buyer or seller from the offer to the notarial deed and coordinate NIE, power of attorney and payments. We are not estate agents: our only job is to protect your interests.
Cross-border inheritance
When an international resident dies in Catalonia, or a Spaniard with assets in the UK or Ireland, the applicable succession law must be determined (as a rule, that of habitual residence, unless a will chose the national law under EU Regulation 650/2012), inheritance tax must be settled on time and assets registered. We handle wills, declarations of heirs, acceptance of inheritance and apostilled, translated foreign documents, in coordination with your solicitor at home.
Paperwork and administration
Registration at the town hall (empadronamiento), representation before councils and public bodies, claims against companies and insurers, residential leases, residents’ associations, neighbour disputes. When your matter needs a specialist (international tax, complex immigration), we say so and coordinate it.
A summons, a lawsuit or a deadline running?
Call now or message us on WhatsApp. Same-day reply and a fixed written quote within 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Do you really work in English, without an interpreter?
Yes. Esteban Cañaz Varela worked for five years in Switzerland and handles cases in English, French, Spanish and Catalan. Meetings, emails and explanations are in English.
I live in Sitges but will be in the UK when the hearing takes place. Can I be represented?
It depends on the procedure. In civil matters a power of attorney and a procurador are often enough; in criminal matters attendance is generally required, with exceptions and the possibility of requesting a video link. We tell you after reading the summons.
Do I need a NIE to buy or inherit?
Yes. The NIE is essential to sign a notarial deed and pay taxes. We explain the procedure or obtain it for you under a power of attorney.
Can I consult by video call?
Yes. For urgent matters and for clients who are not here, it is often the fastest option. The first conversation to understand your situation is free of charge.
Where is your office?
In Vilafranca del Penedès (C/ Amàlia Soler 146), about thirty minutes from Sitges. We meet clients in Sitges and Vilanova by appointment; we do not have a permanent office there.