The Judiciary in Mexico in 2025: Transformations, Challenges, and Perspectives.

Starting on June 1, 2025, Mexico will undergo an unprecedented transformation in its judicial system. For the first time, citizens will directly elect federal judges, magistrates, and Supreme Court justices, as a result of the judicial reform approved in September 2024. This change seeks to democratize justice, but it has also sparked debates about its impact on judicial independence and the effectiveness of the system.

The 2024 judicial reform introduced significant changes in the structure of the Federal Judiciary:

• • Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN): The number of justices was reduced from 11 to 9, with 12-year non-renewable terms. The Court will now only meet in plenary sessions, eliminating its former chamber-based organization.
  • Popular Election of Judges and Magistrates: All federal judicial positions—from justices to district judges—will be filled by popular vote. Justices will serve 12-year terms, while judges and magistrates will serve 9-year terms with the possibility of one re-election. Candidates are nominated by the three branches of government and vetted by evaluation committees.
  • New Bodies Replacing the Federal Judiciary Council:
    • Judicial Administration Body:
      Responsible for judicial career and administrative matters, excluding the SCJN and Electoral Tribunal.
    • Judicial Disciplinary Tribunal:
      Tasked with investigating and sanctioning judges and magistrates for administrative or performance-related misconduct.

On June 1, the first judicial elections under this new framework will be held. A total of 881 federal positions will be decided, including:

• • 9 SCJN justices
  • 17 magistrates for the Federal Electoral Tribunal
  • 5 magistrates for the Judicial Disciplinary Tribunal
  • 850 circuit and district judges and magistrates

Additionally, nearly 2,000 local judicial positions will be up for election across 19 states.

Despite its stated goals of democratizing justice and fighting corruption, the reform has drawn criticism and presents several challenges:

• • Judicial Independence at Risk: National and international organizations have raised concerns that the popular election of judges could compromise their impartiality and subject them to political pressures.
  • Complexity of the Electoral Process: With over 18,000 registered candidates for 881 positions, voters may struggle to make informed decisions, potentially affecting the quality of the vote.
  • Citizen Participation: Voter turnout is expected to be low—estimated between 8% and 18%—raising questions about the legitimacy of the process.

The implementation of this reform represents a democratic experiment without precedent in Mexico. While it aims to bring the judicial system closer to citizens and increase its legitimacy, it also presents serious risks for the independence and effectiveness of the Judiciary.

The success of this transformation will depend on several factors:

• • The ability of the National Electoral Institute to organize transparent and efficient elections.
  • The informed participation of the electorate.
  • The impartial and professional conduct of newly elected judges and magistrates.

In this context, civil society, academia, and the media must play an active role in monitoring and evaluating the process to ensure that the reform’s goals are achieved without compromising the foundational principles of the rule of law.

Conclusion:

The judicial reform that will come fully into effect following the June 1, 2025 elections marks a turning point in the history of Mexico’s judicial system. While its aim is to make justice more accessible, democratic, and transparent, it also raises serious questions about judicial independence, the preparedness of elected judges, and the operational viability of the new model.

In this profound period of change, citizens need trustworthy, impartial, and professional legal guidance more than ever. Understanding how these changes will affect judicial processes, constitutional rights, and both individual and corporate legal protections will be critical in the years ahead.