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21.
GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT
(See
Administrative Law and Government)
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22.
IMMIGRATION LAW
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22.1
General Population Act
(Ley General de Población)
D.O. of January 7, 1974
It entered into force on January 8, 1974
As amended by D.O. of November 8, 1996
It entered into force on November 9, 1996. |
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This
federal statute loosely corresponds to the Illegal Immigration
Reform and Immigrant Resposibility Act of 1996 (which entered
into force on April 1, 1997). Mexico’s General Population Act
(GPA) governs migration, immigration, emigration and repatriation,
and the corresponding sanctions when violations are committed. It
establishes the National Registry of Population (Registro Nacional
de Población) and the National Registry of Citizens (Registro
Nacional de Ciudadanos), and imposes a citizens’ identity
card (Cédula de Identidad Ciudadana); the Office of Migratory
Services (Servicios Migratorios) as part of the Secretariat
of the Interior (Secretaría de Gobernación); the legal status
of foreigners in Mexico, divided into a) Non-Immigrants (Artículos
82-94); b) Immigrants (Articles 95-109); and c)
Inmigrados (Lawful permanent residents, Artículos 110-114).
It also regulates emigration, inspections and surveillance, and sanctions.
Moreover, the statute formulates Mexico’s population policies
and creates the National Population Council (Consejo Nacional de
Población). |
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In
November of 1996, President Zedillo revised 16 sections (Artículos)
of the GPA and added two new chapters, titled: Chapter IX: "Immigration
Procedure" (Artículos 145-150), and Chapter X:
Verification and Surveillance Procedure (Artículos 151-157). Inter
alia, the new changes include the following: 1) Three new immigration
categories were added to the Non-Immigrants section: a) Religious
minister (Ministro de Culto o Asociado Religioso); and b) Press
Correspondent (Corresponsal); and c) "Assimilated"
(Asimilado). This foreign Non-immigrant is temporarily admitted
to Mexico to undertake "a licit and honest profession when they
have been already assimilated (sic) to the national environment"
and also comply with other requirements. 2) Some sanctions
were made stringer, in particular those related to alien smugglers.
And, 3) Two procedural chapters on administrative immigration matters
were created for the first time in the legislative history of Mexico.
The new chapters suggest a constructive movement in favor of recognizing
foreigners to possess some procedural due process. |
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22.2
Immigration Regulations, or Regulations of the General Population
Act of 1992
(Reglamento de la Ley General de Población)
D.O. of August 31, 1992.
It entered into force on September 30, 1992. |
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These
federal regulations are deemed to be of public order and detail major
areas of the General Population Act. Formed by 173 sections (Artículos),
these regulations govern the jurisdiction of the Secretariat of
the Interior (Secretaría de Gobernación) over these matters;
population policies; family planning; the National Population Council’s
functions; and migratory services. In particular, these regulations
govern the legal status of Non-Immigrants (Articles 82-94: Technical
or scientific visitors; visiting investors; professional visitors;
managers or executive visitors; counselors; political asylees; refugees;
students; distinguished visitors; local visitors); Immigrants
and Inmigrados (Lawful permanent residents, Articles 95-114:
retiree; investor; professional; executives and managers; scientists;
technicians; relatives; entertainers and athletes). Furthermore,
these regulations control certain legal acts and contracts entered
into by foreigners (such as marriage, adoption, divorce, marriage
annulments, etc); emigration; inspections and surveillance (Articles
140-147); sanctions (Articles 148-154); and certain administrative
appeals (Recurso de Revisión, Articles 155-163). |
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22.3
The Nationality Act
(Ley de Nacionalidad)
D.O. of June 21, 1993
It entered into force on June 22, 1993. |
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This
is a federal statute whose provisions are of public order and general
compliance throughout the Republic of Mexico. It parallels, in part,
the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act
of 1996 (which entered into force on April 1, 1997).Mexico’s
federal Nationality Act of 1993 regulates nationality, naturalization,
loss of nationality, recovery of nationality, administrative violations
and sanctions. The Secretariat of Foreign Affairs (SRE) exercises
jurisdiction over these matters. As a consequence of the amendments
recently made to Articles 30, 32 and 37 of the Federal Constitution,
the Nationality Act, jointly with close to fifty federal statutes,
are in the process of being amended. It is expected that significant
changes will be made to the new Nationality Act, to be published in
March of 1998. |
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22.4
Passport Regulations
(Reglamento de Pasaportes)
D.O. of July 9 and 17, 1990
It entered into force on July 20, 1990 |
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These
federal regulations govern the issuance of passports to Mexican citizens
and a document of identity for traveling purposes, issued to foreigners
who resident in Mexico. When enacted in 1990, the government of Mexico
indicated that this enactment responded to Mexico’s trend to
modernize its public administration and to simplify administrative
procedures. Formed by 32 sections (Articulos) , these regulations
address the procedure and requirements for the citizens of that country
to obtain a Mexican passport from the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs
(SRE). There are three kinds of Mexican passports: 1) ordinary (Artículos
7-17) ; 2) diplomatic (Artículos 18-22), and 3) official
(Artículos 23-27). SRE is also empowered to issue a "Document
of Identity for travelling Purposes" (Documento de Identidad
y Viaje) to foreigners who reside in Mexico and whom, for a various
reasons, cannot obtain an official passport from their country of
origin. |
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Other
regulations in this area, in particular a) Regulations for the Issuance
of Certificates of Mexican Nationality (Reglamento para
la Expedición de Certificados de Nacionalidad Mexicana, D.O. of
October 18, 1972) and b) Regulations to Articles 47
and 48 of the Nationality and Naturalization Act (Reglamento
de los Artículos 47 y 48 de la Ley de Nacionalidad y Natualización,
D.O. of September 8, 1940), both of which have been in force
until now, is expected to be modified as a consequence of the changes
made to Articles 30, 32 and 37 of the Federal Constitution.
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22.6
Act pertaining to Article 27 of the Constitution
(Ley Orgánica de la Fracción I del Artículo 27 de la Constitución
General)
D.O. of January 26, 1926
It entered into force on January 26, 1926 |
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This
short federal statute, formed by only 11 sections (Articles), governs
questions pertaining to the acquisition of immovable assets by foreign
individuals and Mexican companies with foreign investment within and
without the Restricted Zone, as derived from the prohibition enunciated
by Article 27 (I) of the Federal Constitution. Its provisions should
be read in conjunction with the tenor of the 1993 Foreign Investment
Act, as amended in 1996, and the 1989 corresponding Regulations, which
repealed this Act’s specific regulations. |
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23.
IMPORT-EXPORT
(See Customs Law)
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24.
INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY
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24.1
Act to Promote and Protect Industrial Property
(Ley de Fomento y Protección de la Propiedad Industrial)
D.O. of June 27, 1991.
It entered into force on June 28, 1991
As amended by D.O. of August 2, 1994
It entered into force on August 3, 1994 |
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The
provisions of this federal statute are considered of public order
and general observance throughout Mexico, without affecting the provisions
of international treaties to which Mexico is a party. It application
corresponds to the Federal Executive through the newly established
Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (Instituto Mexicano de
la Propiedad Industrial). This Act regulates inventions, utility
models and industrial designs; industrial secrets, patents, trademarks
and commercial names, as well as denomination of origin (Denominación
de origen), and establishes the administrative procedure
to be followed in relation with these questions. It also provides
for inspections, enumerates violations (Infracciones) and crimes
(Delitos) and imposes sanctions. This statute is composed
by 229 sections (Artículos). |
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24.2
Regulations on Industrial Property
(Reglamento de la Ley de la Propiedad Industrial)
D.O. of November 23, 1994
It entered into force on December 8, 1994 |
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These
regulations parallel the substance of the Industrial Property Act
whose application and interpretation corresponds to the Mexican Institute
of Industrial Property from an administrative viewpoint. The regulations
are composed of 79 sections (Artículos) addressing questions
such as applications, notifications, legal representation, official
files; inventions, utility models and industrial designs; licences;
trademarks and commercial names; administrative procedures; inspection,
surveillance and sanctions. |
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24.3
Stockholm Revisions to the Paris Convention of 1967
(Decreto por el que se Aprueban las Revisiones que se Hicieron
en Estocolmo, Suecia, el 14 de Julio de 1967 al Convenio de Paris
para la Protección de la Propiedad Industrial, suscrito el 20 de Marzo
de 1883).
D.O. of March 5, 1976
It entered into force on March 6, 1976 |
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24.4
Paris Convention of 1883
(Decreto por el que se Promulga el Convenio de Paris para la
Protección de la Propiedad Industrial, según fue Revisado en Estocolmo,
Suecia, el 14 de Julio de 1967
D.O. of July 27, 1976
It entered into force on July 28, 1976 |
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24.5
Lisbon Arrangement of 1958
(Decreto que Aprueba el Arreglo de Lisbora relativo a la Protección
de las Denominaciones de Origen y su Registro Internacional)
D. O. of December 31, 1962
It entered into force on January 1, 1963 |
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24.6
The Lisbon Arrangement of 1958
(Decreto por el que se Promulga el Arreglo de Lisboa relativo
a la Protección de las Denominaciones de Origen y su Registro Internacional)
D. O. of July 11, 1964 |
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24.
7 Approval of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
(Decreto por el que se Aprueba el Convenio que establece la
Organización Mundial de la Propiedad Intelectual, firmado en Estocolmo,
Suecia, el 14 de Julio de 1967)
D.O. of January 21, 1975 |
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24.8
WIPO Agreement
(Decreto por el que se Promulga el Convenio que establece la
Organización Mundial de la Propiedad Intelectual, firmado en Estocolmo,
Suecia, el 14 de Julio de 1967)
D.O. of July 8, 1975 |
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24.9
Tequila Declaration
(Declaración General de Protección a la Denominación de Origen
"Tequila")
D.O. of October 13, 1977
Norma Oficial (NOM) established by D.O. of April 19,
1978 |
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24.10
Olinalá Resolution
D.O. of November 28, 1994 |
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24.11
Mezcal Resolution
D.O. of November 28, 1994 |
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24.12
Talavera Resolution
D.O. of March 17, 1995 |
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24.
13 Adoption of Symbol NOM (Norma Oficial Mexicana)
D.O. of October 28, 1977 |
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24.14
Approval of the Treaty on Patent Cooperation
D.O. of July 25 and December 31, 1994 |
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24.15
Mexican Institute of Industrial Property
(Decreto por el que se Crea el Instituto Mexicano de la Propiedad
Industrial)
D.O. of December 10, 1993
It entered into force on December 11, 1993 |
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The
IMPI was created by this 1993 presidential decree pursuant to Article
7 of the Industrial Property Act of 1991. The IMPI is a descentralized
entity, with legal status and its own patrimony. Its major objective
is to give technical and professional support to the administrative
authorities and to provide a guidance and advisory service to private
individuals in order to attain a better utilization of the industrial
property system. Administratively, the IMPI is within the scope of
the Secretariat of Commerce and Industrial Development (SECOFI). The
IMPI has its own internal regulations (D.O. of November 23,
1994). |
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25.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
(See Industrial Property)
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26.
LABOR LAW AND PROCEDURE
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26.1
Federal Labor Act
(Ley Federal del Trabajo)
D.O. of April 20, 1970
It entered into force on May 1, 1970
As amended by D.O. of January 21, 1988
It entered into force on January 22, 1988 |
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This
federal statute derives from Article 123 of the Federal Constitution
of Mexico. Composed by 1010 sections (Articles), this statute
governs all legal aspects of a labor relationship, both from a substantive
and procedural viewpoints: general principles, individual relations,
working conditions, rights and obligations of employees and employers,
women’s work, minors’ work, collective labor relations,
labor risks, labor authorities, Arbitration and Conciliation Boards,
procedural law in labor cases, enforcement and liabilities and sanctions.
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27.
LETTERS ROGATORY
(See
Conflict of Laws)
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28.
"MAQUILADORAS"
(See Assembly Plants)
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29.
MINING LAW
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29.1
Mining Act
(Ley Minera)
D.O. of June 26, 1992
It entered into force on September 26, 1992
As amended by D.O. of December 24, 1996
It entered into force on December 25, 1996 |
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This
federal statute derives from Article 27 of the Federal Constitution
(Ley Reglamentaria) and its content is of a public order, to
be observed throughout the Republic of Mexico. The Federal Executive,
through its Secretariat of Energy, Mines and Parastate Industry, is
empowered to apply and interpret this Act. It is formed by 59 sections
(Artículos) regulating these areas: 1) Definitions; 2) Concessions,
grants and mining reserves; 3) Legal rights derived fom concessions
and mining grants (Asignaciones mineras); 4) Obligations imposed
by concessions and grants; 5) Nullity of titles, cancellation, suspension
and annulment (Insubsistencia) of mining rights; 6) Mexico’s
Public Registry of Mining; 7) Mining cartography; and 8) Inspections,
sanctions and administrative appellate motions (Recursos). This
Act does not regulate oil and hydrocarbons, radioactive minerals,
salt, and other mineral substances and products; these specific areas
are governed by individual federal statutes. |
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29.2
Mining Regulations
(Reglamento de la Ley Minera)
D.O. of March 29, 1993
It entered into force on March 30, 1993. |
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These
federal regulations, formed by 97 sections (Artículos), closely
parallel the content of the Mining Act, detailing and expanding its
provisions. |
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29.
3 Mining Manual for the Public
(Manual de Servicios al Público en Materia Minera)
D.O. of April 7, 1993
It entered into force on April 8, 1993 |
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Basically,
this Manual establishes the administrative paths and official forms
(Formularios) that must be followed and used in relation with
any inquiry or motion involving the Mining Regulations. It enumerates
the issues and the corresponding geographical offices throughout the
Republic of Mexico (Delegaciones) with mining jurisdiction
over technical works, surveys, etc. The Manual contains numerous official
formats to be used on mining issues. |
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29.4
Other administrative rules
A Acuerdo de Adscripción de Unidades Administrativas,SECOFI,
D. O. Of October 3, 1995
B Acuerdo Desregulatorio, SECOFI
D.O. of June 28, 1996
C Acuerdo Delegatorio, SECOFI
D.O. of July 24, 1996 |
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31.
NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENTS
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31.1
General Act of Instruments and Operations of Credit
(Ley General de Títulos y Operaciones de Crédito)
D.O. of August 27, 1932
It entered into force on September 15, 1932. |
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Title
I of this federal statute regulates the Mexican credit instruments,
in particular bills of exchange, promissory notes, checks, certificates
of participation, certificates of deposit and pledge bonds. Chapter
VII of this Title is devoted to the application of foreign
laws (Artículos 252-258). Title II governs credit operations
such as loan of securities (Reporto), deposit, discounts,
several kinds of credit operations, guaranties (Prenda) and
trusts contracts (Fideicomisos). This statute
is formed by 359 sections (Artículos).
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32.
OIL AND GAS
(See Administrative Law and Government)
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33.
PATENTS
(See Intellectual Property)
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34.
POWERS OF ATTORNEY
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34.1
Civil Code of the Federal District, Articles 2553-2554 and 2546 et
al.
(See Civil Code of the Federal District, Conflict of
Laws) |
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34.2
See the respective Civil Code of the State in question.
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35.
PUBLIC NOTARIES
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35.1
Notariate Act of the Federal District
(Ley del Notariado para el Distrito Federal)
D.O. of January 8, 1980
It entered into force on January 9, 1980 |
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This
local statute regulates the activities of Public Notaries in the Federal
District. This Act is formed by 154 sections (Artículos) governing
the appointment of public notaries, notarial documents, monitoring
and inspection of notaries, revocation and cancellation of the public
notary patent, the local Archive of Notaries, the Association of Notaries
(Colegio de Notarios) and notarial fees. |
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35.2
See the corresponding Notariate Act of the State in question. |
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36.
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
(See Industrial Property)
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37.
TRADEMARKS
(See Industrial Property)
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38.
TAX LAW
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39.
TORT LAW
(Extra-contractual liability)
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39.1
Civil Code of the Federal District (Mexico City), Articles 1910-1934
(Código Civil para el Distrito Federal en Materia Común y para
toda la República en Materia Federal)
D.O. of May 26, 1928
It entered into force on October 1, 1932 (D.O. of September 1, 1932). |
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In
essence, Mexico does not have a counterpart to the U.S. Tort Law.
However, Articles 1910-1934 of the Federal Civil Code (and the corresponding
articles in the 31 Civil codes of each State) refer to a number of
legal issues involving "Extracontractual liability" (Obligaciones
que Nacen de los Actos Ilícitos). To determine the amount of indemnity
due for damages and losses (Articles 2108 and 2109, Federal Civil
Code), the code requires to be supplemented by the pertinent provisions
of the Federal Labor Act. |
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39.2
Federal Labor Act, Articles 472-504 and 513-514
(Ley Federal del Trabajo)
D.O. of April 20, 1970
It entered into force on May 1, 1970
As amended by D.O. of January 21, 1988
It entered into force on January 22, 1988 |
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In
civil liability cases, the victim’s indemnity is calculated on
the specific type of incapacity established by this federal statute,
namely: 1) Temporary incapacity (Article 478); 2) Partial permanent
incapacity (Article 479); 3) Total permanent incapacity (Article
480); and, 4) Death (Article 500). Basically, this calculation
is to be based on the daily salary of the victim, multiplied by four,
and then multiplied by the number of days mandated by the Act.
The statute provides a ceiling of 1,095 days (Article 495).
Duly proved damages and losses should also be added. |
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40.
VISAS
(See Immigration Law)
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Author
& General Coordinator:
JORGE A. VARGAS
Professor of Law,
University of San Diego School of Law
Published by ©West
Group (1998)
To purchase this book
please click on icon below:
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