Mediation In
Estación Camacho, Zacatecas

State Laws

Zacatecas operates under the national Mexican mediation framework and the Alternative Dispute Resolution laws. The Zacatecas State Court implements these frameworks at state level. The Mexican Civil Procedure Code encourages mediation before litigation. The General Law on Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms (LGMASC), in force since January 2024, sets national bases for mediation, conciliation and negotiation, with facilitators certified by the federal or state judiciaries; the Supreme Court confirmed its constitutionality on 10 February 2026. The National Code of Civil and Family Procedures, last reformed on 15 January 2026, embeds conciliation within oral civil and family proceedings and enters into force in Zacatecas under a declaratoria issued by the state congress at the judiciary's request; absent a declaratoria it applies automatically nationwide no later than 1 April 2027.

Court-Mandated Programs

Pre-litigation mediation is encouraged under state court regulations. The Zacatecas State Court conducts mediation through judicial mediation centres. Mediation schemes exist at the State Court level and in major districts including Zacatecas city.

Licensing Requirements

Mediators are accredited through the Zacatecas State Court mediation centre system. The federal judiciary maintains a national register of qualified mediators. Mediators must be trained and registered with the State Court mediation programme. Under the LGMASC, mediators and other facilitators practising in Zacatecas must be certified by the state judiciary or another competent certifying authority.

Local Court Systems

Zacatecas has the Zacatecas State Court (Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Zacatecas) at the apex in Zacatecas city, followed by first instance courts and peace courts. Each level has dedicated mediation facilities. The State Court coordinates mediation activities across all court levels.

Legal Framework

Mediation in Mexico follows the General Law on Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms (Ley General de Mecanismos Alternativos de Solución de Controversias), published in January 2024. This law establishes a comprehensive framework for various ADR methods including negotiation, conciliation, arbitration, and mediation. The law was enacted in compliance with the 2017 constitutional amendment that made Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms a constitutionally protected practice. The law defines mediation as a voluntary procedure where parties come together to settle disputes, either entirely or partially, facilitated by an impartial third party known as the mediator or facilitator. The law outlines requirements, responsibilities, and sanctions for facilitators, procedures for certification, training, and supervision, provisions regarding confidentiality, impartiality, and handling of conflicts involving children or vulnerable groups. It also addresses online dispute resolution, enforcement of agreements, and transitional provisions. Both Federal and State Congresses were granted one year to harmonise their legislation with the new ADR framework. The National Code of Civil and Family Procedures (Código Nacional de Procedimientos Civiles y Familiares) was last reformed on 15 January 2026 and embeds conciliation within oral proceedings. The Federal Administrative Justice Tribunal adopted the Reglamento del Centro Público de Mecanismos Alternativos de Solución de Controversias under Acuerdo SS/9/2025, published in the Diario Oficial de la Federación on 12 May 2025. The CNMASC issued guidelines on Sistemas de Convenios (agreement management systems) on 24 February 2025.

While Mexico operates under this legal framework, The Olive Branch's remote mediators bypass local court backlogs by providing swift, confidential, and mutually agreed-upon resolutions online.

Court System

Courts in Mexico vouch for the use of mediation to solve civil, commercial, family, and criminal (damages) disputes, but ADR only applies if the parties agree. Courts cannot compel parties to use ADR to solve disputes. There are currently positions both in favour of and against establishing mediation as a procedural requirement, meaning exhausting mediation before being able to go to court. Mediation that has been supported by Mexican courts has its own set of rules. Local courts can intervene to assist arbitration proceedings by adopting provisional interim measures or obtaining evidence. The Mexican legal system actively promotes ADR as faster, more flexible, and less adversarial than formal litigation. While the degree of adoption varies across sectors and regions, ADR has gained significant prominence, especially in commercial and cross border contexts. The National Code of Civil and Family Procedures integrates conciliation into oral civil and family proceedings, so judges direct parties towards agreed settlement during the hearing process.

Mediator Regulations

The General Law requires mediators to be certified for public or private practice. The National Council of Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms (Consejo Nacional de Mecanismos Alternativos de Solución de Controversias - CNMASC) serves as the governing body for ADR public policy in Mexico. The law details requirements for certification, training, and supervision of facilitators. Mediators are responsible for assessing whether a conflict can be effectively resolved through mediation, ensuring compliance with relevant legal frameworks, validating agreements, and informing parties about the implications of the mediation process. The law establishes both public and private centres for ADR and creates a national registry of certified facilitators. Municipal mediators are being certified by state judicial powers, with 269 municipal mediators certified by the Judicial Power of the State of Mexico.

Cultural Approach

Mexico has a developing culture of mediation supported by the new constitutional recognition of ADR mechanisms. The cultural preference for peaceful resolution and prevention of future conflicts aligns with mediation principles. The CNMASC promotes mediation as the future in dispute resolution, emphasising that talking helps people understand each other. The law aims to promote access to justice, efficiency, and fairness in resolving conflicts outside traditional court proceedings. However, there is currently a lack of awareness and understanding about mediation and its benefits in some sectors. Some common misconceptions exist about the effectiveness of voluntary processes. The cultural approach is shifting toward greater acceptance of ADR as the legal framework strengthens and public awareness increases.

Typical Costs

The General Law on ADR Mechanisms establishes procedures for costs and fees. Mediation is generally viewed as faster, more flexible, and less adversarial than formal litigation, resulting in cost savings. The law provides for both public and private ADR centres, with costs varying by institution and case complexity. Private mediation charges fees based on case complexity and mediator expertise. Public ADR centres may provide services at lower costs. The cost savings compared to litigation are significant, with mediation typically resolving disputes more quickly. The law addresses the handling of sanctions and costs in the enforcement of agreements. Municipal mediation services are provided through certified municipal mediators.