Civil and Family Lawsuits in Quintana Roo to Go Digital

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Starting Monday, the first phase of the National Code of Civil and Family Procedures will take effect in Cancún and Chetumal, allowing many lawsuits to be filed online with an electronic signature.

The move standardizes these judicial districts in Quintana Roo with other states that already use the new non-presidential procedural rules.

The system will launch in Playa del Carmen on September 7, and in the remaining municipalities with civil and family courts on November 9.

The change follows publication in the Official State Gazette on May 28, which repeals the Civil Procedure Code for the State of Quintana Roo that had governed disputes such as divorces, land conflicts, and inheritances since 1980.

“The Judicial Branch of the State of Quintana Roo, within its respective competencies, will carry out the necessary actions and measures to implement the National Code of Civil and Family Procedures, especially with digital and oral justice systems, in accordance with approved budget allocations,” the agreement states.

Pending cases under the old system will continue to be resolved under previous rules until concluded, according to the Quintana Roo Judicial Branch.

This represents the most significant innovation in local civil and family proceedings, as it eliminates the need to appear in court. However, the mechanisms for initiating legal actions will be more robust.

“The initial complaint or petition may be filed physically or electronically through the office or portal authorized by the Judicial Council, in accordance with the corresponding Organic Law,” states Article 151, Section I of the National Code.

It adds: “For online proceedings, the complaint and documents must always be submitted electronically, verifying in all cases that they have an electronic signature.”