Precedents: Commercial and civil
32 results. Rulings of the Mexican Supreme Court, the federal courts and the Federal Administrative Court (TFJA) in our practice areas. Each with a brief explanation and, for the most relevant ones, our take.
Tax · Tax litigation · Amparo and constitutional · Foreign trade and customs · Labor and social security · Anti-money laundering · Administrative and other
Burden of proof in student loans. It must be allocated according to the criteria of ease and availability of evidence, in light of the structural imbalance in the underlying relationship.
Official heading (Spanish): CARGA DE LA PRUEBA EN CRÉDITOS EDUCATIVOS. DEBE DISTRIBUIRSE CONFORME A LOS CRITERIOS DE FACILIDAD Y DISPONIBILIDAD PROBATORIA, ATENDIENDO A LA ASIMETRÍA ESTRUCTURAL DE LA RELACIÓN SUBYACENTE.
In commercial enforcement suits over student loans, the burden of proof falls on the party with better access to evidence. Once the borrower offers reasonable proof, such as emails within the lender's system, the lender must rebut it.
Student loan. It constitutes a consumer contractual relationship marked by a structural imbalance between the parties.
Official heading (Spanish): CRÉDITO EDUCATIVO. CONFIGURA UNA RELACIÓN CONTRACTUAL DE CONSUMO CARACTERIZADA POR ASIMETRÍA ESTRUCTURAL ENTRE LAS PARTES.
A student loan, even when documented with promissory notes, is an adhesion consumer relationship with a structural imbalance. The court does not assess it solely under traditional commercial-law categories, which affects enforcement of those notes.
Student loan. Its nature as a purpose-bound financial instrument linked to the right to education prevents it from being analyzed as an ordinary credit transaction.
Official heading (Spanish): CRÉDITO EDUCATIVO. SU NATURALEZA COMO INSTRUMENTO FINANCIERO FINALISTA VINCULADO AL DERECHO A LA EDUCACIÓN IMPIDE ANALIZARLO COMO UNA OPERACIÓN CREDITICIA ORDINARIA.
A student loan is purpose-bound financing linked to the right to education. The promissory notes securing it must be assessed together with the underlying relationship, not as an ordinary credit transaction.
Nullity of legal acts. The obligation to return to each other what was received or obtained as a result of the declaration applies to both absolute and relative nullity.
Official heading (Spanish): NULIDAD DE LOS ACTOS JURÍDICOS. LA OBLIGACIÓN DE RESTITUIRSE MUTUAMENTE LO RECIBIDO O PERCIBIDO COMO CONSECUENCIA DE SU DECLARACIÓN ES APLICABLE TANTO A LA NULIDAD ABSOLUTA COMO A LA RELATIVA.
The duty to return to each other what was received under an annulled act (article 2239 of the Federal Civil Code) applies to both absolute and relative nullity. Factor this in before seeking to annul a contract.
Possession under a lease. It is not a personal right that ends with the tenant's death, so its restoration in compliance with an amparo judgment must be made in favor of the tenant's estate.
Official heading (Spanish): POSESIÓN DERIVADA DE UN CONTRATO DE ARRENDAMIENTO. NO CONSTITUYE UN DERECHO PERSONALÍSIMO QUE SE EXTINGA CON LA MUERTE DEL ARRENDATARIO, POR LO QUE SU RESTITUCIÓN EN CUMPLIMIENTO DE UNA EJECUTORIA DE AMPARO DEBE MATERIALIZARSE EN FAVOR DE SU SUCESIÓN.
Possession under a lease does not end with the tenant's death. If an amparo voids the eviction from commercial premises, possession must be returned to the estate through its executor.
Commercial proceeding. It is the proper route when a direct action is brought against the insurer to enforce a civil liability insurance contract under article 147 of the Insurance Contract Law.
Official heading (Spanish): VÍA MERCANTIL. PROCEDE CUANDO SE EJERCE LA ACCIÓN DIRECTA CONTRA LA ASEGURADORA PARA EXIGIR EL CUMPLIMIENTO DE UN CONTRATO DE SEGURO DE RESPONSABILIDAD CIVIL, EN TÉRMINOS DEL ARTÍCULO 147 DE LA LEY SOBRE EL CONTRATO DE SEGURO.
A damaged third party’s direct action against the insurer under article 147 of the Insurance Contract Law proceeds in commercial court even if moral damages are claimed, provided the insured’s liability is not in dispute. It matters to insured companies and their carriers.
Lease of premises located in shopping centers. The oral commercial proceeding is the proper route for disputes arising from such leases when entered into for commercial speculation [applicability of binding precedent 1a./J. 170/2023 (11a.)].
Official heading (Spanish): ARRENDAMIENTO INMOBILIARIO RESPECTO DE LOCALES UBICADOS EN PLAZAS COMERCIALES. PROCEDE LA VÍA ORAL MERCANTIL PARA RESOLVER LAS CONTROVERSIAS DERIVADAS DE LOS CONTRATOS RELATIVOS CUANDO SE CELEBREN CON PROPÓSITO DE ESPECULACIÓN COMERCIAL [APLICABILIDAD DE LA TESIS JURISPRUDENCIAL 1a./J. 170/2023 (11a.)].
Leases of premises in shopping centers entered into for commercial speculation are commercial acts, so disputes such as termination are heard in oral commercial proceedings. Landlords and tenants can use it to choose the right route and avoid dismissals.
Lapse of proceedings for inactivity in civil matters. It applies even if the defendant has not been served (conforming interpretation of article 130 bis, fifth paragraph, of the Code of Civil Procedure of the State of Campeche).
Official heading (Spanish): CADUCIDAD DE LA INSTANCIA EN MATERIA CIVIL. OPERA AUN CUANDO NO HAYA SIDO EMPLAZADA LA PARTE DEMANDADA (INTERPRETACIÓN CONFORME DEL ARTÍCULO 130 BIS, PÁRRAFO QUINTO, DEL CÓDIGO DE PROCEDIMIENTOS CIVILES DEL ESTADO DE CAMPECHE).
In civil matters, lapse of proceedings applies even if the defendant was never served, under a conforming reading of Article 130 Bis, fifth paragraph, of the Campeche Code of Civil Procedure. A plaintiff who abandons the case loses the instance, not the right.
Non-contractual civil liability. It is governed by the law of the place where the events occurred, regardless of whether jurisdiction to hear the case lies with the authority of another state.
Official heading (Spanish): RESPONSABILIDAD CIVIL EXTRACONTRACTUAL. SE RIGE POR LA LEY DEL LUGAR DE LOS HECHOS, INDEPENDIENTEMENTE DE QUE LA COMPETENCIA PARA CONOCER DEL ASUNTO LE CORRESPONDA A LA AUTORIDAD DE OTRO ESTADO
Non-contractual civil liability is governed by the law of the place where the events happened, even if a court in another state hears the case. For accidents or damage in multi-state operations, determine the applicable law by where the event occurred.
Surety bonds. The surety's liability derives from the respective bond agreement and from the court rulings that modify the secured obligation.
Official heading (Spanish): PÓLIZAS DE FIANZA. LA RESPONSABILIDAD DE LA AFIANZADORA DERIVA DEL CONTRATO DE FIANZA RESPECTIVO, ASÍ COMO DE LAS RESOLUCIONES JUDICIALES QUE MODIFIQUEN LA OBLIGACIÓN GARANTIZADA.
A surety's liability arises from the bond contract and from court rulings altering the guaranteed obligation, not from the instructions of the party that requested the bond. Review the bond's wording and scope carefully before contracting it.
Prohibition of exploitation of one person by another. When reviewing performance of a professional services agreement, the judge must verify that the agreed consideration does not breach it.
Official heading (Spanish): PROHIBICIÓN DE EXPLOTACIÓN DE LA PERSONA POR LA PERSONA. CUANDO SE ANALICE EL CUMPLIMIENTO DE UN CONTRATO DE SERVICIOS PROFESIONALES, LA PERSONA JUZGADORA DEBE VERIFICAR QUE LAS CONTRAPRESTACIONES PACTADAS NO LA INOBSERVEN.
When reviewing performance of a professional services contract, the judge must verify that the agreed consideration does not violate the prohibition of exploitation of persons by persons.
Prohibition of exploitation of one person by another. It may be analyzed in legal relationships between legal entities when the harm to dignity is projected onto the individuals who comprise them.
Official heading (Spanish): PROHIBICIÓN DE EXPLOTACIÓN DE LA PERSONA POR LA PERSONA. SU ANÁLISIS ES POSIBLE EN RELACIONES JURÍDICAS ENTRE PERSONAS MORALES, CUANDO LA AFECTACIÓN A LA DIGNIDAD SE PROYECTA EN LAS PERSONAS FÍSICAS QUE LA INTEGRAN.
The precedent allows courts to test contracts between companies against the ban on exploitation when a disproportionate economic advantage harms the dignity of the individuals behind them. It adds an argument against abusive clauses in business-to-business deals.
Claims against the estate in commercial insolvency proceedings. They are those incurred after the commencement of the proceeding and the insolvency declaration, except for labor and tax claims and claims secured by collateral.
Official heading (Spanish): CRÉDITOS CONTRA LA MASA EN EL CONCURSO MERCANTIL. SON LOS CONTRAÍDOS CON POSTERIORIDAD AL INICIO DEL CONCURSO MERCANTIL Y AL DICTADO DE LA SENTENCIA DE DECLARACIÓN, CON EXCEPCIÓN DE LOS CRÉDITOS LABORALES, FISCALES Y AQUELLOS CON GARANTÍA REAL.
Claims against the estate are those incurred after the commercial insolvency proceeding began and the declaration judgment was issued, except labor, tax and secured claims.
Out-of-jurisdiction witness testimony in oral executive commercial trials. It may be rejected when not offered in compliance with Article 1269 of the Code of Commerce.
Official heading (Spanish): PRUEBA TESTIMONIAL FORÁNEA EN EL JUICIO EJECUTIVO MERCANTIL ORAL. PROCEDE DESECHARLA CUANDO NO SE OFRECE EN TÉRMINOS DEL ARTÍCULO 1269 DEL CÓDIGO DE COMERCIO.
In an oral executive commercial trial, testimony from a witness residing outside the court's jurisdiction may be rejected if not offered per Article 1269 of the Code of Commerce, for instance without the written questions.
Nullity of electronic bank transfers. In an oral commercial trial, the holders of the destination accounts need not be summoned as third parties.
Official heading (Spanish): NULIDAD DE TRANSFERENCIAS ELECTRÓNICAS BANCARIAS. CUANDO SE DEMANDA EN EL JUICIO ORAL MERCANTIL ES INNECESARIO LLAMAR COMO TERCEROS A LOS TITULARES DE LAS CUENTAS DE DESTINO.
When seeking nullity of electronic transfers in an oral commercial trial, the holders of the destination accounts need not be summoned as third parties.
Direct action by an injured third party against the insurer under Article 147 of the Insurance Contract Law. The proper venue is civil, determined by the event giving rise to liability, not by the existence of an insurance contract.
Official heading (Spanish): ACCIÓN DIRECTA DEL TERCERO DAÑADO CONTRA LA ASEGURADORA EN TÉRMINOS DEL ARTÍCULO 147 DE LA LEY SOBRE EL CONTRATO DE SEGURO. LA VÍA PROCEDENTE ES LA CIVIL, PUES SE DETERMINA POR EL HECHO GENERADOR DE LA RESPONSABILIDAD Y NO POR LA EXISTENCIA DEL CONTRATO DE SEGURO.
An injured third party's direct action against an insurer (Article 147 of the Insurance Contract Law) goes through civil proceedings, because the venue depends on the event causing the liability, not on the insurance contract.
Service of process in civil cases. When served on someone other than a relative or domestic employee, the person receiving the notice must live at the address (Article 112, third paragraph, of the San Luis Potosí Code of Civil Procedure).
Official heading (Spanish): EMPLAZAMIENTO A JUICIO CIVIL. CUANDO SE PRACTIQUE CON UNA PERSONA DISTINTA AL PARIENTE O DOMÉSTICO DEL INTERESADO, ES INDISPENSABLE QUE QUIEN RECIBA LA CÉDULA DE NOTIFICACIÓN VIVA EN EL DOMICILIO (ARTÍCULO 112, TERCER PÁRRAFO, DEL CÓDIGO DE PROCEDIMIENTOS CIVILES PARA EL ESTADO DE SAN LUIS POTOSÍ).
If service is not made on a relative or domestic employee, the process server must confirm that the person receiving the notice lives at the address (Article 112, third paragraph, San Luis Potosí Code of Civil Procedure).
Supplementary application of the National Code of Civil and Family Procedure. It is improper at the federal level until the Code enters into force, per the second transitory article of its enacting decree.
Official heading (Spanish): SUPLETORIEDAD DEL CÓDIGO NACIONAL DE PROCEDIMIENTOS CIVILES Y FAMILIARES. ES IMPROCEDENTE EN EL ÁMBITO FEDERAL HASTA EN TANTO NO INICIE SU VIGENCIA, CONFORME AL ARTÍCULO SEGUNDO TRANSITORIO DEL DECRETO POR EL QUE SE EXPIDIÓ EL CITADO CÓDIGO.
The National Code of Civil and Family Procedure cannot be applied supplementarily at the federal level until it enters into force, under the second transitory article of its enacting decree.
Statute of limitations. The period during which judicial work was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic must be excluded from the computation (Article 1176 of the Federal Civil Code).
Official heading (Spanish): PRESCRIPCIÓN. DEBE EXCLUIRSE DEL CÓMPUTO DEL PLAZO RESPECTIVO EL PERIODO DE SUSPENSIÓN DE LABORES JURISDICCIONALES DERIVADO DE LA PANDEMIA POR EL VIRUS SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) (ARTÍCULO 1176 DEL CÓDIGO CIVIL FEDERAL).
When computing limitation periods under Article 1176 of the Federal Civil Code, the period of court suspension due to COVID-19 must be excluded. Check whether it affects collection or defense deadlines.
Precautionary orders retaining bank accounts in a small-claims commercial enforcement action. The revocation remedy must be exhausted before filing an indirect amparo.
Official heading (Spanish): PROVIDENCIAS PRECAUTORIAS DE RETENCIÓN DE CUENTAS BANCARIAS DICTADAS EN EL JUICIO EJECUTIVO MERCANTIL DE CUANTÍA MENOR. PREVIAMENTE A LA PROMOCIÓN DEL JUICIO DE AMPARO INDIRECTO EN SU CONTRA DEBE AGOTARSE EL RECURSO DE REVOCACIÓN.
Before filing an indirect amparo against precautionary bank-account holds in a small-claims commercial enforcement action, the revocation remedy must be exhausted. Skipping it risks dismissal of the amparo.
Handwriting-chemistry expert evidence (ink dating). Evidence consisting of applying hydrochloric acid to negotiable instruments to determine their age is inadmissible.
Official heading (Spanish): PRUEBA PERICIAL EN GRAFOQUÍMICA (DATACIÓN DE TINTAS). ES INADMISIBLE LA CONSISTENTE EN LA APLICACIÓN DE ÁCIDO CLORHÍDRICO SOBRE TÍTULOS DE CRÉDITO PARA DETERMINAR SU ANTIGÜEDAD.
Expert evidence that applies hydrochloric acid to a negotiable instrument to date its ink is inadmissible. Useful grounds to object when the age of a document is challenged.
Ink dating in questioned documents. Gas and liquid chromatography techniques are the scientifically validated methodologies for determining it.
Official heading (Spanish): DATACIÓN DE TINTAS EN DOCUMENTOS CUESTIONADOS. LAS TÉCNICAS DE CROMATOGRAFÍA DE GASES Y DE LÍQUIDOS SON LAS METODOLOGÍAS CIENTÍFICAMENTE VALIDADAS PARA SU DETERMINACIÓN
Gas and liquid chromatography are the scientifically validated methods for dating ink in questioned documents. Use this as a benchmark to assess or challenge expert evidence on document age.
Standard of proof in commercial trials. It is governed by preponderant probability and the adversarial principle.
Official heading (Spanish): ESTÁNDAR DE PRUEBA EN JUICIOS MERCANTILES. SE RIGE POR LA PROBABILIDAD PREPONDERANTE Y EL PRINCIPIO DISPOSITIVO.
Commercial trials apply a preponderant-probability standard: a fact is proven if, on a rational assessment of the evidence, it is more likely true than not. Each party must bring its own evidence.
Scientific expert evidence on written documents. Standards the judge must observe to admit it in commercial trials.
Official heading (Spanish): PRUEBA PERICIAL CIENTÍFICA EN DOCUMENTOS ESCRITOS. ESTÁNDARES QUE DEBE OBSERVAR LA PERSONA JUZGADORA PARA SU ADMISIÓN EN JUICIOS MERCANTILES.
To admit scientific expert evidence on written documents, the judge checks that the technique was empirically tested, peer reviewed, has a known error rate and controlling standards. It applies when offering or challenging experts.
Handwriting-chemistry expert evidence. Its definition, purpose and distinction from other forensic disciplines for document analysis.
Official heading (Spanish): PRUEBA PERICIAL EN GRAFOQUÍMICA. SU DEFINICIÓN, OBJETO Y DISTINCIÓN CON OTRAS DISCIPLINAS FORENSES PARA EL ANÁLISIS DE DOCUMENTOS.
Document chemistry is the study of written matter through chemical and instrumental analysis to identify or date inks. The ruling distinguishes it from other forensic disciplines used in document analysis.
Federal Electricity Commission (CFE). Acts arising from electricity supply contracts, following the constitutional reform to Articles 25, 27 and 28 published on October 31, 2024, may be challenged through commercial proceedings.
Official heading (Spanish): COMISIÓN FEDERAL DE ELECTRICIDAD (CFE). LOS ACTOS DERIVADOS DE LOS CONTRATOS DE SUMINISTRO DE ENERGÍA ELÉCTRICA A PARTIR DE LA REFORMA A LOS ARTÍCULOS 25, 27 Y 28 DE LA CONSTITUCIÓN FEDERAL, PUBLICADA EN EL DIARIO OFICIAL DE LA FEDERACIÓN EL 31 DE OCTUBRE DE 2024, SON IMPUGNABLES EN LA VÍA MERCANTIL.
Following the constitutional reform to Articles 25, 27 and 28 published on October 31, 2024, acts arising from electricity supply contracts with the CFE are challenged through commercial proceedings.
Notorious fact. Invoking it in a judgment does not remove from another case an objection of obscure complaint that was not raised as a defense in the answer.
Official heading (Spanish): HECHO NOTORIO. AL INVOCARSE EN UNA SENTENCIA NO TIENE EL ALCANCE DE SUSTRAER UNA EXCEPCIÓN DE OSCURIDAD DE LA DEMANDA DE OTRO ASUNTO, QUE NO FUE PLANTEADA COMO DEFENSA EN EL ESCRITO DE CONTESTACIÓN DE LA DEMANDA.
A court's reliance on a notorious fact does not make an obscure-complaint objection available in another case if it was not raised in the answer. Defenses must be asserted in the answer.
Closing arguments in oral commercial trials. Preclusion bars introducing evidentiary matters at that stage.
Official heading (Spanish): ALEGATOS EN EL JUICIO ORAL MERCANTIL. EL PRINCIPIO DE PRECLUSIÓN IMPIDE QUE EN ESA ETAPA DEL PROCEDIMIENTO SE INCORPOREN CUESTIONES PROBATORIAS.
Evidentiary matters not offered at the proper stage cannot be introduced in closing arguments of an oral commercial trial, due to preclusion. Offer evidence on time.
Closing arguments in oral commercial trials. The judge is not obliged to consider them when rendering judgment.
Official heading (Spanish): ALEGATOS EN EL JUICIO ORAL MERCANTIL. LA PERSONA JUZGADORA NO ESTÁ OBLIGADA A TOMARLOS EN CONSIDERACIÓN AL DICTAR SENTENCIA.
In an oral commercial trial, the judge is not required to consider the parties' closing arguments when rendering judgment.
Trademark confusion. The comparison must specify the similarities to determine the degree of confusion that may arise.
Official heading (Spanish): CONFUSIÓN ENTRE MARCAS.- LA COMPARACIÓN DEBE PRECISAR SUS SEMEJANZAS PARA DETERMINAR EL GRADO DE CONFUSIÓN, QUE EN SU CASO SE PRODUZCA
A finding of confusion between trademarks must be convincingly reasoned, for example when comparing a one-word mark with a composite sign sharing an identical word. It helps to challenge conclusory rulings.
Trademarks. Graphic similarity amounting to confusion.
Official heading (Spanish): MARCAS. SIMILITUD GRÁFICA EN GRADO DE CONFUSIÓN.-
Seeking to register a sign confusingly similar to a registered and valid mark triggers the prohibition of article 90, section XVI of the Industrial Property Law. Run prior-rights searches before filing.
Subject-matter jurisdiction. When COFEPRIS issues an act on a health registration linked to an intellectual property right, the Specialized Chamber in Intellectual Property matters hears it.
Official heading (Spanish): COMPETENCIA MATERIAL. TRATÁNDOSE DE UN ACTO EMITIDO POR LA COMISIÓN FEDERAL PARA LA PROTECCIÓN CONTRA RIESGOS SANITARIOS, RELATIVO A UN REGISTRO SANITARIO VINCULADO CON UN DERECHO DE PROPIEDAD INTELECTUAL, CORRESPONDE SU CONOCIMIENTO A LA SALA ESPECIALIZADA EN MATERIA DE PROPIEDAD INTELECTUAL.-
When a COFEPRIS ruling on a health registration includes an IMPI report on an intellectual property right, the Specialized Chamber on intellectual property hears it. It affects pharmaceutical companies.
Prepared by Artegia for information only; not legal advice. Headings in English are unofficial translations. The official text is the one published in the Semanario Judicial de la Federación or the TFJA journal.