Civil procedure Mexico

1. Latin American Law Civil procedureMexico Last updated 16 Nov 11

2. Today’s topics • Civilian civil procedure (Mexico) • Ordinary court “process” • Phases: pleading, investigation, decision • Role of judge / parties • “Loser pays” costs/fees • Appellate process • Review of facts and law / new evidence • Affirm, reverse, modify (not remand) • Judicial decisions • “Sentence” • Majority, concurring, dissenting decisions • Compare outcomes / convergence?

3. Value of knowing other legal systems • Model for borrowing • Gain perspective • Discover truths • Impose / power Is dispute resolution cultural?

4. Compare civil procedure … • Role of judge / rules of evidence – Trevor • Absence of jury – Francisco • Corruption - Robbie

6. True of false (Mexico) • the “trial” phase is a series of informal business-like meetings, with the judge as gatekeeper, fact-finder, decider • the parties are often surprised by evidence found by the judge, since the judge gathers evidence • judges can admit any evidence, including hearsay and confidential information, unless the evidence is illegal or immoral • evidence constitutes writings submitted by the parties to the judge, who may also take and summarize witness statements • there is a convergence in civilian process toward fewer and more concentrated proceedings (Stuttgart) • judges have a duty to move the process forward and give a clear decision, explaining evidence, legal issues, and their reasons • appellate courts review both factual and legal issues, and can admit new evidence • appellate courts can affirm, reverse, or modify the trial court’s judgment, but they cannot remand the case • courts only award attorneys fees/costs to the winner if there was bad faith, false evidence, non-meritorious claims, delay Settlement 1-T / 2-F / 3-T / 4-T / 5-T / 6-F / 7-T / 8-T / 9-T (unusual)

7. Loser pays in US Alaska’s “loser-pays” rule (which applies only to attorney fees) does not apply to defendants who, after refusing to settle for a specific amount, lose at trial and are held liable for less than the settlement offer. Indeed, the defendant in such a case is considered the “prevailing party,” and the plaintiff must pay the defendant’s attorneys’ fees despite having obtained a verdict against the defendant.

8. Role of parties/judge in US civil litigation …

9. Role of the judge? Taylor

10. Corruption in Mexican judiciary lack of trust 6% said “much trust” in Supreme Court (2001) two-thirds said little or no trust \ “Impunity and corruption” (UN report) Mexico ranked 55th (117 countries) in judicial independence allegiances to social and political actors / pressured by higher-ranking peers delays and bribes Federal Prosecution Office Council of the Federal Judgeship. disparity between federal and local courts Trevor Ostbye

11. Compare the outcomes ofthe two systems … War on terrorism Property rights

12. The Civil Law system is marginally better suited than the Common Law system for anti-terror prosecutions -- permitting more closed proceedings and less technically demanding evidentiary standards. But both are built upon the assumption that it is better to let the guilty go free than to convict the innocent. Only the law of armed conflict permits the flexibility needed to disrupt al Qaeda's operations on an international level. David Rivkin & Lee Casey Former Justice Dept attorneys

14. Lex Mundi Project “Consistent with the literature on comparative law, we find that judicial formalism is systematically greater in civil law countries, and especially French civil law countries, than in common law countries.” “Formalism is nearly universally associated with lower survey measures of the quality of legal system, including judicial efficiency, access to justice, honesty, consistency, impartiality, fairness, and even human rights.” Florencio López-de-Silanes

15. Is there convergence – what does this mean for civil litigation …

17. Why hasn’t Oquendo mentioned globalization’s effect on Latin American Law – the big elephant in the room? To foment trade, many new provisions in the Mexican Federal Code of Civil Procedure were literally copied from corresponding international conventions. Robbie Samuel

18. End

19. Legal fees … Honoré Daumier «My dear Sir, it is impossible for me to plead your case. The most important pieces are missing: money.» (1840)

20. The civil law judge is like the Administrative Law Judge in the United States. Consider gathering of evidence and appellate review. Though there are differences: meeting with parties, collecting information. Julia Di Vito

21. The Mexican Federal Code of Civil Procedure was amended in 2009 to include, among its 1000 articles, a “book” devoted to International procedure. Federal FRCP does not have special sections on international procedures. In fact, except for rules on minimum contacts and forum non conveniens, international aspects of case arent’ really addressed. Taylor Noland

23. Human Rights Watch: “Among Mexico’s most serious human rights problems are those affecting its criminal justice system. Persons under arrest or imprisonment face torture and ill-treatment, and law enforcement officials often neglect to investigate and prosecute those responsible for human rights violations.” Tom McNutt