The following persons cannot acquire by purchase, even at public or judicial auction, neither in person nor by an agent:
(1) The guardian, with regard to the property of the person or persons who may be under his/her guardianship.
(2) Agents with regard to the property the administration or sale of which may have been entrusted to them.
(3) Executors and accountant-distributors regarding the property entrusted to their care.
(4) Public officials regarding the property belonging to the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the municipalities, agencies and instrumentalities and also of public institutions whose administration has been entrusted to them.
This provision shall apply to judges and experts who, in any manner whatsoever, intervene in the sale.
(5) Judges, members of the department of public prosecution, clerks of superior and inferior courts, and officials of justice, the property and rights in litigation before the court in whose jurisdiction or territory they exercise their respective duties, this prohibition including the act of acquiring by assignments.
From this rule shall be excepted the cases in which hereditary action among coheirs are involved, or assignments in payment of debts, or security for the goods they may possess.
The prohibition contained in this subsection (5) shall include the lawyers with regard to the property and rights which may be the subject of the litigation, in which they may take part by virtue of their profession and office.
History —Civil Code, 1930, § 1348; Sept. 13, 1996, No. 227, § 1.