Judicial Reform in Mexico: An In-Depth Look at the 2024 Judicial Reform
The 2024 judicial reform in Mexico promised a profound transformation of the federal justice system. Among its key components is the creation of the Judicial Administration Council (JAC), replacing the Federal Judiciary Council to take over operational management of the new judicial power.
A New Institutional Engineering
The JAC was designed as a collegiate body with five members: three appointed by the Supreme Court, one by the Executive, and another by the Senate. This formula aims to balance powers, though it has faced criticism for opaque appointments and the political closeness of certain profiles.
The newly appointed members are:
- José Alberto Gallegos Ramírez: Previously the head of Administration and Finance at the Institute for Returning Stolen Goods to the People.
- Néstor Vargas: Former legal director of the Secretariat of Government.
- Berenice Romero: Former magistrate at the Federal Court of Administrative Justice.
- Lorena Josefina Pérez Romo: Former penal magistrate.
- Catalina Ramírez Hernández: Specialist in indigenous peoples’ defense law.
The JAC’s responsibilities include:
- Budget and territorial management of courts and tribunals
- Directing the judicial career, including training, evaluation, and promotion
- Ensuring security for judges in high-risk contexts
- Supervising the National School for Judicial Training and the Federal Institute of Public Defense
- Managing nearly 75,000 million pesos
The total budget for the new judicial power in 2026 is $85,960,228,646 MXN, a 15.6% increase from the previous year.
Challenges and Concerns
The JAC’s installation session was held behind closed doors, causing internal tensions within the Supreme Court. Ministers like Lenia Batres expressed disagreement with the lack of transparency, while civil organizations questioned the suitability of certain appointments, such as President Néstor Vargas, who was accused but later exonerated of inappropriate conduct.
The JAC’s success hinges on three critical factors:
- Technical capacity to redesign the judicial map without improvisations
- Political will to resist pressures and preserve functional autonomy
- Accountability mechanisms ensuring objective evaluation
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the Judicial Administration Council (JAC)? The JAC is a newly established body responsible for managing and overseeing the operational aspects of Mexico’s federal judicial system.
- Who are the members of the JAC? The JAC comprises five members: three appointed by the Supreme Court, one by the Executive branch, and another by the Senate. Recently appointed members include José Alberto Gallegos Ramírez, Néstor Vargas, Berenice Romero, Lorena Josefina Pérez Romo, and Catalina Ramírez Hernández.
- What are the JAC’s responsibilities? The JAC is responsible for budget and territorial management of courts and tribunals, directing the judicial career, ensuring security for judges in high-risk contexts, supervising judicial training institutions, and managing the judicial budget.
- What challenges does the JAC face? The JAC has faced criticism for opaque appointments and political closeness. Its installation session was held behind closed doors, causing internal tensions within the Supreme Court. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the suitability of certain appointments.
- What factors will determine the JAC’s success? The JAC’s success depends on its technical capacity, political will to preserve autonomy, and the presence of accountability mechanisms ensuring objective evaluation.
