Ley de Amparo
The Ley de Amparo (Amparo Law), most recently reformed in 2013, governs the constitutional remedy of amparo in Mexico. Amparo is a unique Mexican legal mechanism that allows individuals to challenge the constitutionality or legality of governmental acts and judicial decisions that violate their fundamental rights. The 2013 reform modernized the amparo proceeding by introducing collective amparo, direct amparo against general norms, and strengthened the enforceability of amparo judgments. Amparo is available in civil, criminal, administrative, and labor matters.
Legal area: Constitutional law establishes the framework of government, the division of powers, and the protection of fundamental rights.
Year enacted: 2013
Full text: https://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/htm/ley_amparo.htm
Key Provisions
- Art. 1: Right to amparo as a guarantee of rights (garantía de derechos)
- Art. 5: Legitimacy to file amparo (legitimación para interponer amparo)
- Art. 15-17: Direct amparo against general norms (amparo directo contra normas generales)
- Art. 28: Collective amparo (amparo colectivo)
- Art. 61-72: Amparo trial and proceedings (juicio de amparo)
- Art. 80-97: Interim relief (medios de protección)
- Art. 101-115: Amparo judgment and its effects (sentencia de amparo)
Significance
Amparo is one of Mexico’s most important legal institutions and has influenced the development of constitutional remedies throughout Latin America and the world. The 2013 reform was a landmark modernization, introducing collective amparo to protect groups of individuals and allowing direct challenges to general norms. Amparo has been used to protect fundamental rights including freedom of expression, due process, and the right to health, and plays a critical role in Mexican constitutional jurisprudence.