Quintana Roo Judicial Chief Seeks Budget Increase for Court Reforms

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — The president of Quintana Roo’s Superior Court of Justice (TSJ) announced plans to request additional funding, saying the current 1.13 billion peso budget for 2026 is insufficient to implement judicial reforms and expand court services across the state.

Heyden Cebada Rivas confirmed the court will seek a budget increase to consolidate the Judicial Discipline Tribunal and its administrative body, both created through last year’s judicial reform. He said officials are analyzing the needs of these new bodies and addressing outstanding issues with some courts that weren’t included in the original budget.

The court is working with the state’s Finance and Planning Department (Sefiplan) and the State Congress to discuss the most pressing operational requirements, Cebada Rivas said.

He also noted that the judicial branch is preparing for the implementation of the National Code of Civil and Family Procedures and requires a new building in Puerto Morelos, the only municipality without a judicial headquarters.

“We’re making the necessary arrangements to obtain a property, secure permits, and begin work in the short term to have a building that represents the Judicial Branch,” Cebada Rivas said. “At the same time, we’re expanding the functions of the new Bacalar Court to reduce the workload and case volume handled in the state capital.”

He added that converting the Bacalar court to a mixed jurisdiction will directly benefit residents of the “Pueblo Mágico” and surrounding communities, who will no longer need to travel to Chetumal for hearings.

Despite financial limitations, Cebada Rivas said the court has maintained training programs for judicial personnel to improve public service and advance certification in vicarious violence cases, aiming for a more efficient, professional, and humane justice system.