In 2024, Mexico approved a sweeping judicial reform poised to reshape the country's legal system. The reform mandates the direct election of all federal and state justices, magistrates, and judges—marking a significant departure from the current appointment-based system. In the short term, the reform introduces uncertainty into Mexico’s judicial system, raising questions about continuity, legal coherence, the protection of rights, and the potential infiltration of the elections by organized crime. Over the longer term, these changes may undermine investor confidence, weaken contract enforcement, and complicate dispute resolution mechanisms critical to the North American economic relationship. As Mexico prepares for the 2026 USMCA review, the reform's impact on the rule of law could emerge as a central issue—potentially making the country a less predictable and less reliable trade and investment partner. This panel will explore the immediate and long-term implications of Mexico’s judicial reform, including its effect on judicial independence, legal certainty, and regional economic integration.
This event is made possible through the support of Vulcan Materials.
Saúl López Noriega and Javier Martín-Reyes discuss their newly released book titled "The Judicial Storm: Implications of Mexico’s 2024 Reform," a compendium of essays from Mexican legal experts on the process, impact, and long-term effects of the judicial reform.
Panel discussion with legal and policy experts on the results of the elections, what this means for Mexico in the short term, and how it will impact investor confidence in the long term.
