Introduction to the New Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN)
The newly established Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN), now composed of nine ministers elected by popular vote for the first time in Mexico’s history, will hold sessions outside its usual locations in Mexico City. This change marks a significant shift in the court’s operations.
Session Regulations and Accessibility
The newly approved “Regulation of Sessions of the SCJN and Integration of Lists of Cases with Proposed Resolutions” consists of 23 articles and three transitional clauses. This regulation, unanimously approved with nine possible votes in a private session and published in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF) on day 2, outlines guidelines for extraordinary sessions held outside the main and alternative venues.
According to Article 9, ministers can request extraordinary sessions due to personal decision or public petition. The request must be submitted before the case instruction closure for constitutional controversies and actions of unconstitutionality or before the publication of the list in other cases, unless determined otherwise by the ministers. The plenary will resolve the matter in a private session with a simple majority vote.
If approved, the session’s date, time, and location will be determined to ensure its proper conduct and security.
Indigenous and Afro-Mexican Communities
The regulation emphasizes that when extraordinary sessions are held in indigenous or Afro-Mexican communities, the court, led by Minister Hugo Aguilar Ortiz from Oaxaca of indigenous origin, will coordinate with community authorities to respect their norms, customs, and organizational forms.
Session Schedule and Debate
The SCJN will now hold sessions from Monday to Thursday, with exceptional Friday sessions. Mondays and Tuesdays will focus on constitutional controversies and actions of unconstitutionality, while Wednesdays and Thursdays will address penal, civil, administrative, and labor matters, respectively.
Efficient Debate
The regulation allows public access to sessions, considering room capacity. It also sets time limits for debates. The presiding minister will grant the floor to the proposing minister for a maximum of ten minutes to present their proposal and corresponding resolution draft.
During the first and second rounds, ministers can speak for up to seven and five minutes, respectively. Afterward, the proposing minister will have five and three minutes for a joint response.
Automated Turnover System
The General Agreement No. 1/2025 (12a.) by the court’s plenary, regulating the reception, registration, and turnover of cases under its jurisdiction, was also published in the DOF. This agreement acknowledges that the new ministers are committed to ensuring prompt, expeditious, impartial, and transparent justice.
To achieve this, an automated system for case turnover will be implemented to ensure traceability and transparency. This will strengthen public trust in the SCJN and leverage technological advantages.
Previously, case turnover for the plenary and two chambers was manual until August 31.
Key Questions and Answers
- What changes has the SCJN implemented? The SCJN will now hold sessions across the country, implement an automated case turnover system, and allow public access to sessions with time limits for debates.
- Who is the presiding minister of the SCJN? Minister Hugo Aguilar Ortiz from Oaxaca, of indigenous origin, leads the SCJN.
- What is the purpose of the automated case turnover system? The system aims to ensure traceability, transparency, and efficient justice delivery.
- When and where will the SCJN hold sessions? The court will now hold sessions from Monday to Thursday, with occasional Friday sessions. Sessions will take place in various locations across the country.
