Mexico advances oral trials and defends legal research autonomy

Mexico has transformed its justice system by adopting oral trials as the core of courtroom proceedings. Nearly two decades after the shift, oral hearings are credited with increasing transparency, improving the quality of litigation, and making the process more human‑centred, as judges and lawyers now argue cases in real time before the public.

During the 85th anniversary of the Instituto de Investigaciones Jurídicas (IIJ), UNAM rector Leonardo Lomelí Vanegas called for the institute’s continued autonomy. He stressed that an independent legal‑research body is essential to scrutinise judicial reforms, protect fundamental rights and provide unbiased technical analysis of legislative changes affecting Mexico’s courts and electoral system.