Precedents: Administrative and other
35 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 · Commercial and civil
Right to one's own image. Articles 87 and 231, section II, of the Federal Copyright Law do not violate freedom of expression or of the press, nor the right of access to information.
Official heading (Spanish): DERECHO A LA PROPIA IMAGEN. LOS ARTÍCULOS 87 Y 231, FRACCIÓN II, DE LA LEY FEDERAL DEL DERECHO DE AUTOR NO VULNERAN LAS LIBERTADES DE EXPRESIÓN Y DE IMPRENTA, NI EL DERECHO DE ACCESO A LA INFORMACIÓN.
Using a person's image for direct or indirect profit requires their consent, and the IMPI penalty for failing to obtain it is constitutional. The only exceptions are a portrait that is a minor part of a group and a photo taken in a public place for news purposes.
Right to one's own image. Its protection in the case of private individuals.
Official heading (Spanish): DERECHO A LA PROPIA IMAGEN. SU PROTECCIÓN EN EL CASO DE PERSONAS PRIVADAS.
A private individual's image enjoys heightened protection against freedom of expression. Publishing it without consent is justified only when tied to a matter of public interest; commercial or entertainment interest is not enough.
Commercial infringements. Article 231 of the Federal Copyright Law does not violate the principle of legal certainty.
Official heading (Spanish): INFRACCIONES EN MATERIA DE COMERCIO. EL ARTÍCULO 231 DE LA LEY FEDERAL DEL DERECHO DE AUTOR NO VIOLA EL PRINCIPIO DE SEGURIDAD JURÍDICA.
Although article 231 of the Federal Copyright Law sets no limitation period, IMPI's power to sanction expires after 5 years under article 79 of the Federal Administrative Procedure Law, which applies on a supplementary basis.
Cap on rent increases. Article 2448 D, second paragraph, of the Civil Code for the Federal District, applicable in Mexico City, is constitutional.
Official heading (Spanish): LÍMITE AL INCREMENTO DE RENTAS. EL ARTÍCULO 2448 D, PÁRRAFO SEGUNDO, DEL CÓDIGO CIVIL PARA EL DISTRITO FEDERAL, APLICABLE PARA LA CIUDAD DE MÉXICO ES CONSTITUCIONAL.
Mexico City's cap on annual residential rent increases, which may not exceed the prior year's inflation as reported by Banco de México (article 2448 D of the local Civil Code), is constitutional. This affects leasing companies and real estate investors.
Digital registry of residential lease agreements. Article 2448 F, third and fourth paragraphs, of the Civil Code for the Federal District, applicable in Mexico City, admits an interpretation consistent with the Constitution.
Official heading (Spanish): REGISTRO DIGITAL DE CONTRATOS DE ARRENDAMIENTO DE CASA HABITACIÓN. EL ARTÍCULO 2448 F, PÁRRAFOS TERCERO Y CUARTO, DEL CÓDIGO CIVIL PARA EL DISTRITO FEDERAL, APLICABLE PARA LA CIUDAD DE MÉXICO, ADMITE UNA INTERPRETACIÓN CONFORME.
Mexico City's digital registry of residential leases is valid only if it collects neighborhood, borough, agreed rent and agreed increase. Party names, tax data, bank accounts, guarantees and other terms must be excluded.
Abuse of office. Any one of the conducts set out in article 57 of the General Law of Administrative Responsibilities is enough to establish this administrative offense.
Official heading (Spanish): ABUSO DE FUNCIONES. PARA QUE SE CONFIGURE ESE TIPO ADMINISTRATIVO BASTA LA MATERIALIZACIÓN DE CUALQUIERA DE LOS SUPUESTOS ESTABLECIDOS POR EL ARTÍCULO 57 DE LA LEY GENERAL DE RESPONSABILIDADES ADMINISTRATIVAS.
The administrative offense of abuse of functions is established when any one of the situations in Article 57 of the General Law of Administrative Responsibilities occurs. Not all are required.
Arbitration. Judicial precautionary measures that halt it or prevent the award may be suspended in amparo proceedings.
Official heading (Spanish): ARBITRAJE. LAS MEDIDAS CAUTELARES JUDICIALES QUE PARALIZAN SU CONTINUACIÓN O IMPIDEN LA EMISIÓN DEL LAUDO PUEDEN SER SUSPENDIDAS EN EL JUICIO DE AMPARO.
Amparo courts may suspend a judicial precautionary measure that halts an arbitration or blocks the award, because arbitration is a matter of public order tied to access to justice. This is a useful route against measures that stall arbitration.
Jurisdiction over indirect amparo against general rules on handling or safeguarding personal data. It lies with non-specialized District Courts when the challenge is not directly against public-information or data-protection laws and the act is not attributed to the oversight authorities.
Official heading (Spanish): COMPETENCIA PARA CONOCER DEL AMPARO INDIRECTO CONTRA NORMAS GENERALES QUE PREVEAN EL TRATAMIENTO O RESGUARDO DE DATOS PERSONALES. CORRESPONDE A LOS JUZGADOS DE DISTRITO NO ESPECIALIZADOS, CUANDO NO SE RECLAMEN DIRECTAMENTE LAS LEYES QUE REGULEN EL ACCESO A LA INFORMACIÓN PÚBLICA O PROTECCIÓN DE DATOS PERSONALES Y EL ACTO RECLAMADO NO SE ATRIBUYA A AUTORIDADES GARANTES EN LA MATERIA.
Indirect amparo against general rules on personal data handling or safeguarding goes to non-specialized District Courts, unless the challenge targets public-information or data-protection laws directly, or acts of the oversight authorities.
State patrimonial liability. Compensation for moral damages must be calculated in UMAs (Measure and Update Units), not minimum wages.
Official heading (Spanish): RESPONSABILIDAD PATRIMONIAL DEL ESTADO. LA INDEMNIZACIÓN POR DAÑO MORAL DEBE CALCULARSE EN UNIDADES DE MEDIDA Y ACTUALIZACIÓN (UMAS) Y NO EN SALARIOS MÍNIMOS.
Compensation for moral damages arising from State patrimonial liability is quantified in UMAs (Measure and Update Units), not in minimum wages.
Administrative appeal (recurso de revocación). Article 133-A, section I, subsection a), third paragraph, of the Federal Tax Code does not violate the principle of legal certainty.
Official heading (Spanish): RECURSO DE REVOCACIÓN EN SEDE ADMINISTRATIVA. EL ARTÍCULO 133-A, FRACCIÓN I, INCISO A), PÁRRAFO TERCERO, DEL CÓDIGO FISCAL DE LA FEDERACIÓN, NO VIOLA EL PRINCIPIO DE SEGURIDAD JURÍDICA.
Article 133-A, section I, subsection a), third paragraph, of the Federal Tax Code does not violate legal certainty. The criterion upholds the rule in the administrative appeal (recurso de revocación), so challenging it on this ground is unlikely to succeed.
Administrative appeal (recurso de revocación). Article 133-A, section I, subsection a), third paragraph, of the Federal Tax Code does not violate the right to be heard.
Official heading (Spanish): RECURSO DE REVOCACIÓN EN SEDE ADMINISTRATIVA. EL ARTÍCULO 133-A, FRACCIÓN I, INCISO A), PÁRRAFO TERCERO, DEL CÓDIGO FISCAL DE LA FEDERACIÓN, NO VIOLA EL DERECHO DE AUDIENCIA.
Article 133-A, section I, subsection a), third paragraph, of the Federal Tax Code does not violate the right to be heard, because that right is respected at a later stage. A denial-of-hearing argument against the rule is weakened.
Disqualification for risk of lost impartiality. It is well founded when the judge states that a party's lawyer is his or her rival in the 2024-2025 extraordinary election of federal judiciary posts, specifically for the judge's own court.
Official heading (Spanish): IMPEDIMENTO POR RIESGO DE PÉRDIDA DE IMPARCIALIDAD. ES FUNDADO CUANDO LA PERSONA JUZGADORA MANIFIESTA QUE LA PERSONA ABOGADA DE UNA DE LAS PARTES DEL ASUNTO SOMETIDO A SU CONOCIMIENTO CONCURRE COMO SU CONTRINCANTE EN EL PROCESO ELECTORAL EXTRAORDINARIO PARA LA ELECCIÓN DE DIVERSOS CARGOS DEL PODER JUDICIAL DE LA FEDERACIÓN 2024-2025, PRECISAMENTE PARA EL ÓRGANO DEL CUAL ES TITULAR.
A judge's disqualification is well founded when the judge explains that a party's lawyer is a rival in the 2024-2025 extraordinary judicial election for the same court, since impartiality is at risk.
Private contracts executed abroad. A taxpayer who wants them to have tax effects in Mexico must show they have a "certain date" under Mexican civil law.
Official heading (Spanish): CONTRATOS PRIVADOS CELEBRADOS EN EL EXTRANJERO. SI LA PERSONA CONTRIBUYENTE PRETENDE DARLES EFECTOS FISCALES EN TERRITORIO NACIONAL, DEBEN CUMPLIR CON EL REQUISITO DE SER DE "FECHA CIERTA", EN TÉRMINOS DE LA LEGISLACIÓN CIVIL MEXICANA.
A private contract signed abroad has tax effects in Mexico only if it has a certain date under Mexican civil law. Companies should notarize or otherwise register such contracts in time to prove them to the SAT.
Appeal in administrative litigation in San Luis Potosí. Article 152, section II of the local Administrative Procedure Code, by requiring the matter to be important and transcendent and the appellant to justify it, violates effective judicial protection.
Official heading (Spanish): RECURSO DE APELACIÓN EN EL JUICIO CONTENCIOSO ADMINISTRATIVO EN EL ESTADO DE SAN LUIS POTOSÍ. EL ARTÍCULO 152, FRACCIÓN II, DEL CÓDIGO PROCESAL ADMINISTRATIVO LOCAL, AL EXIGIR QUE EL ASUNTO SEA DE IMPORTANCIA Y TRASCENDENCIA Y QUE EL RECURRENTE LO JUSTIFIQUE, VIOLA EL DERECHO A LA TUTELA JUDICIAL EFECTIVA EN SU VERTIENTE DE ACCESO A LA JURISDICCIÓN.
Article 152, section II of San Luis Potosí's Administrative Procedure Code requires the matter to be important and transcendent and the appellant to justify it. The precedent finds this violates effective judicial protection.
Principle of legitimate expectations. Elements to weigh in determining whether the administration's acts violate it.
Official heading (Spanish): PRINCIPIO DE CONFIANZA LEGÍTIMA. ELEMENTOS QUE DEBEN PONDERARSE PARA DETERMINAR SU TRANSGRESIÓN EN LOS ACTOS DE LA ADMINISTRACIÓN.
Defendant authorities may violate the principle of legitimate expectations. To determine this, the case's normative and material elements are weighed. It helps when the SAT departs from a consistent practice or position the taxpayer relied on.
Public documents. They have full probative value.
Official heading (Spanish): DOCUMENTOS PÚBLICOS.TIENEN VALOR PROBATORIO PLENO.
Public documents carry full probative value, so a flat denial is not enough to undermine them. To rebut them, offer contrary evidence or prove they are false.
Timeliness of the complaint. For its calculation, the time spent on a procedure that ended with a finding that the route was improper, leaving the parties' rights intact, is not counted.
Official heading (Spanish): OPORTUNIDAD DE LA DEMANDA. PARA SU DETERMINACIÓN NO DEBE COMPUTARSE EL TIEMPO DE TRAMITACIÓN DE UN PROCEDIMIENTO QUE CONCLUYÓ CON LA DETERMINACIÓN DE IMPROCEDENCIA DE LA VÍA Y DEJÓ A SALVO LOS DERECHOS DE LAS PARTES.-
When assessing whether a complaint is timely, the time spent in a procedure that ended with a finding that the route was improper, preserving the parties' rights, is not counted. Resolving the dispute prevails over formalities.
Principle of legitimate expectations. Elements to weigh in determining whether the administration's acts violate it.
Official heading (Spanish): PRINCIPIO DE CONFIANZA LEGÍTIMA. ELEMENTOS QUE DEBEN PONDERARSE PARA DETERMINAR SU TRANSGRESIÓN EN LOS ACTOS DE LA ADMINISTRACIÓN.-
Defendant authorities may violate the principle of legitimate expectations. To decide, the TFJA weighs the case's normative and material elements. It is a useful tool when the authority departs from its earlier practice.
Specialized Chamber for Environmental and Regulatory Matters. It has jurisdiction over a negative tacit ruling on a request related to a gas station operating permit before the Energy Regulatory Commission.
Official heading (Spanish): SALA ESPECIALIZADA EN MATERIA AMBIENTAL Y DE REGULACIÓN. ES COMPETENTE PARA CONOCER DE LA RESOLUCIÓN NEGATIVA FICTA, QUE SE CONFIGURE RES- PECTO A UNA SOLICITUD QUE GUARDE RELACIÓN CON EL PERMISO PARA OPERAR UNA ESTACIÓN DE SERVICIO DE GASOLINA ANTE LA COMISIÓN REGULADORA DE ENERGÍA.-
The Specialized Chamber for Environmental and Regulatory Matters hears actions against a negative tacit ruling on requests related to a gas station operating permit before the Energy Regulatory Commission.
Indirect amparo against general norms. When the responsible authority admits applying the norm in its justified report, the norm may be challenged in an amplification of the claim.
Official heading (Spanish): JUICIO DE AMPARO INDIRECTO CONTRA NORMAS GENERALES. CUANDO EN EL INFORME JUSTIFICADO LA AUTORIDAD RESPONSABLE ADMITE SU APLICACIÓN, PUEDEN RECLAMARSE EN LA AMPLIACIÓN DE LA DEMANDA.
A justified report in which the authority admits applying a general norm can be the first act of application. The applicant may then challenge the norm by amplifying the indirect amparo claim, without filing a new suit.
Inadmissibility of indirect amparo. Jurisprudence 2a./J. 43/2020 (10a.) does not make it inadmissible for failure to exhaust remedies; it only grants the right to bring a nullity action to those who, under Article 27 of the Law on Coordinated Energy Regulatory Bodies, could only file amparo.
Official heading (Spanish): IMPROCEDENCIA DEL JUICIO DE AMPARO INDIRECTO. LA TESIS DE JURISPRUDENCIA 2a./J. 43/2020 (10a.) NO TIENE COMO EFECTO ESTABLECERLA POR INOBSERVANCIA AL PRINCIPIO DE DEFINITIVIDAD, SINO SÓLO OTORGAR EL DERECHO DE HACER VALER EL JUICIO DE NULIDAD A QUIENES CONFORME AL ARTÍCULO 27 DE LA LEY DE LOS ÓRGANOS REGULADORES COORDINADOS EN MATERIA ENERGÉTICA, ÚNICAMENTE PUEDEN PROMOVER EL AMPARO.
Jurisprudence 2a./J. 43/2020 (10a.) does not make indirect amparo inadmissible for failure to exhaust remedies; it only grants a nullity action to those who, under Article 27 of the Coordinated Energy Regulators Law, could only seek amparo.
Jurisdiction over indirect amparo against the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) response to a request to update a retail fuel sales permit at a service station. A District Court in administrative matters specialized in economic competition, broadcasting and telecommunications has jurisdiction.
Official heading (Spanish): COMPETENCIA PARA CONOCER DEL JUICIO DE AMPARO INDIRECTO PROMOVIDO CONTRA LA RESPUESTA A UNA SOLICITUD DE ACTUALIZACIÓN DE PERMISO DE EXPENDIO AL PÚBLICO DE PETROLÍFEROS EN ESTACIÓN DE SERVICIO, EMITIDA POR LA COMISIÓN REGULADORA DE ENERGÍA (CRE). CORRESPONDE A UN JUZGADO DE DISTRITO EN MATERIA ADMINISTRATIVA ESPECIALIZADO EN COMPETENCIA ECONÓMICA, RADIODIFUSIÓN Y TELECOMUNICACIONES.
An indirect amparo against the CRE's response to a request to update a retail fuel sales permit at a service station goes to a District Court in administrative matters specialized in competition, broadcasting and telecommunications.
Compliance with final judgments in an administrative action. The reviewing body must examine compliance ex officio, regardless of whether the complaint appeal under Article 324 of the Guanajuato Code of Administrative Procedure and Justice is filed.
Official heading (Spanish): CUMPLIMIENTO DE SENTENCIAS EJECUTORIAS DICTADAS EN UN JUICIO CONTENCIOSO ADMINISTRATIVO. EL ÓRGANO REVISOR DEBE ANALIZAR, DE OFICIO, SU DEBIDO CUMPLIMIENTO, CON INDEPENDENCIA DE SI SE INTERPONE EL RECURSO DE QUEJA PREVISTO EN EL ARTÍCULO 324 DEL CÓDIGO DE PROCEDIMIENTO Y JUSTICIA ADMINISTRATIVA PARA EL ESTADO Y LOS MUNICIPIOS DE GUANAJUATO.
The reviewing body must examine ex officio whether final administrative judgments in Guanajuato were properly complied with, even if no complaint under Article 324 of the state Code of Administrative Procedure and Justice is filed.
Lis pendens (litispendencia).
Official heading (Spanish): LITISPENDENCIA.-
Lis pendens requires two pending cases with identical claims and parties. It is not ruled out because one of them is suspended. Before opening a second case on the same matter, confirm no other is pending.
Documentary evidence. The Regional Chamber's failure to request it from a non-party authority, when the plaintiff lawfully asks, is a procedural violation.
Official heading (Spanish): PRUEBA DOCUMENTAL. LA OMISIÓN DE LA SALA REGIONAL DE REQUERIR SU EXPEDICIÓN A UNA AUTORIDAD QUE NO ES PARTE EN EL JUICIO, CUANDO MEDIE SOLICITUD LEGAL DEL ACTOR, CONSTITUYE UNA VIOLACIÓN AL PROCEDIMIENTO.-
If the Regional Chamber fails to request a document from a non-party authority when the plaintiff lawfully asked, it commits a procedural violation. Expressly request such documents in the complaint and ground the request.
Conventionality and unconstitutionality review. It requires specifying the general norm or human right in dispute.
Official heading (Spanish): CONTROL DE CONVENCIONALIDAD E INCONSTITUCIONALIDAD. PARA SU ANÁLISIS SE REQUIERE QUE SE ESPECIFIQUE CUÁL ES LA NORMA GENERAL O DERECHO HUMANO QUE ESTÁ EN DISCUSIÓN.-
For the Tribunal to conduct conventionality or constitutional review, the complaint must identify the general norm or human right at issue. A bare claim that a norm is unconventional is not enough.
Payment demand on bonds issued in favor of the Federation, states and municipalities. Article 282, section III, of the Law of Insurance and Surety Institutions, by allowing a nullity action against it, recognizes the right of defense.
Official heading (Spanish): REQUERIMIENTO DE PAGO DE FIANZAS OTORGADAS EN FAVOR DE LA FEDERACIÓN, DE LAS ENTIDADES FEDERATIVAS Y DE LOS MUNICIPIOS. LA FRACCIÓN III DEL ARTÍCULO 282 DE LA LEY DE INSTITUCIONES DE SEGUROS Y DE FIANZAS, AL PREVER LA PROCEDENCIA DEL JUICIO DE NULIDAD EN SU CONTRA, RECONOCE EL DERECHO DE DEFENSA.
Article 282 of the Law of Insurance and Surety Institutions recognizes sureties' right of defense: they may file a nullity action before the TFJA against a demand for payment of the bond.
Ex officio constitutionality and conventionality review. It does not mean it must always be exercised regardless of the formal and substantive prerequisites for the admissibility and viability of the actions brought.
Official heading (Spanish): CONTROL DE CONSTITUCIONALIDAD Y CONVENCIONALIDAD EX OFFICIO. NO IMPLICA QUE DEBA EJERCERSE SIEMPRE, SIN CONSIDERAR PRESUPUESTOS FORMALES Y MATERIALES DE ADMISIBILIDAD Y PROCEDENCIA DE LAS ACCIONES INTENTADAS.
Ex officio constitutionality and conventionality review is not always exercised: courts must first address the formal and substantive requirements for the action's admissibility. Meet those requirements so your argument is examined.
Ex officio constitutionality and conventionality review. Methodology for carrying it out.
Official heading (Spanish): CONTROL DE CONSTITUCIONALIDAD Y CONVENCIONALIDAD EX OFFICIO. METODOLOGÍA PARA REALIZARLO.
Judges must follow a set methodology when conducting ex officio constitutionality and conventionality review of applicable rules. The criterion structures the analysis and allows parties to demand that courts follow it.
Relative legislative omission of mandatory exercise. It does not arise when the duty to legislate emerges after the law blamed for the deficiency or non-compliance.
Official heading (Spanish): OMISIÓN LEGISLATIVA RELATIVA DE EJERCICIO OBLIGATORIO. NO SE ACTUALIZA CUANDO LA OBLIGACIÓN DE LEGISLAR SURGE CON POSTERIORIDAD A LA LEY A LA QUE SE ATRIBUYE SU DEFICIENCIA O INCUMPLIMIENTO.
There is no relative legislative omission when the duty to legislate arises after the law blamed for the deficiency. Claiming omission requires that the mandate existed when the legislature acted.
Relative and absolute legislative omissions of mandatory exercise. Distinguishing features for challenging them in amparo.
Official heading (Spanish): OMISIONES LEGISLATIVAS RELATIVAS Y ABSOLUTAS DE EJERCICIO OBLIGATORIO. NOTAS DISTINTIVAS PARA COMBATIRLAS EN EL JUICIO DE AMPARO.
To challenge an absolute legislative omission in amparo, the plaintiff must target the legislature's total inactivity; for a relative one, the challenge is to the rule that regulates incompletely or deficiently. Define the omission's nature carefully.
Right to defend human rights. It is an autonomous human right recognized by the constitutional regularity parameter.
Official heading (Spanish): DERECHO A LA DEFENSA DE LOS DERECHOS HUMANOS. CONSTITUYE UN DERECHO HUMANO AUTÓNOMO RECONOCIDO POR EL PARÁMETRO DE CONTROL DE REGULARIDAD CONSTITUCIONAL.
Defending human rights is an autonomous human right recognized under the constitutional regularity parameter. Individuals and groups can invoke it when protecting their rights.
Principle of eventuality. Its concept and scope in judicial proceedings.
Official heading (Spanish): PRINCIPIO DE EVENTUALIDAD. SU CONCEPTO Y ALCANCE EN LOS PROCESOS JURISDICCIONALES.
The principle of eventuality places on parties the burden of raising and submitting all arguments and evidence in the proper procedural phase. What is not raised in time may be lost.
Public order. It is an indeterminate legal concept that must be defined and assessed according to the specific circumstances of each case.
Official heading (Spanish): ORDEN PÚBLICO. ES UN CONCEPTO JURÍDICO INDETERMINADO QUE DEBE SER PRECISADO Y VALORADO DEPENDIENDO DE LAS CIRCUNSTANCIAS ESPECÍFICAS DE CADA CASO CONCRETO.
Public order must be defined and assessed according to the specific circumstances of each case, as it is an indeterminate legal concept. Useful when arguing suspensions and other interim measures.
Ceases to exist as a result of the September 15, 2024 constitutional reform of the Judiciary.
Official heading (Spanish): DESAPARECE A RAÍZ DE LA REFORMA CONSTITUCIONAL AL PODER JUDICIAL DEL 15/09/2024
The record states that this criterion ceases to exist following the September 15, 2024 constitutional reform of the Federal Judiciary. Confirm its current status before relying on it.
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.