Mexico - September 2024

On 15 September, a constitutional reform affecting the judiciary was enacted. The reform introduces the election by popular vote of all federal judges, including Supreme Court justices, Electoral Tribunal magistrates, and state judges. It also changes the Supreme Court’s organization and creates a Judicial Discipline Tribunal and an administrative organ of the judiciary that will replace the Judiciary Council (currently in charge of discipline and administration of the federal judiciary). The practice of ‘faceless judges’ may be introduced for cases related to organized crime. Experience and eligibility requirements have been relaxed and the length of tenure and remuneration amended. The introduction of these elections will be phased, beginning in 2025. Proponents of the reform argue it will address judicial corruption and nepotism and say that the prohibition of public or private funds for campaigns will ensure the integrity of the process. Legislation regarding what campaigns will consist of is still pending. Critics say it risks judicial independence, politicization of justice and further influence of organized crime in the justice system.

Sources:  Diario Oficial de la Federación, Milenio, Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, France 24