Alfredo Gutiérrez Ortiz Mena (born 14 October, 1969) is a Mexican lawyer who has served as minister of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) since December 2012.
[1] Prior to joining the public sector, Alfredo Gutiérrez Ortiz Mena gained extensive experience in both national and international law firms.
[4] Gutiérrez Ortiz Mena spearheaded the implementation of electronic invoicing, which not only increased transparency and security in fiscal transactions but also profoundly modernized tax administration, enabling millions of taxpayers to fulfil their obligations more easily and efficiently.
[5] Complementing this effort, he promoted the advanced electronic signature (FIEL), a tool that digitalized the majority of tax procedures, eliminating the need for taxpayers to physically visit SAT offices.
Thanks to the widespread adoption of electronic invoicing and the creation of interconnected databases, the SAT was able to detect and combat tax fraud and illicit practices in international trade more effectively, contributing to the rule of law and protecting public resources.
[13] In summary, Alfredo Gutiérrez Ortiz Mena's leadership at the SAT was characterized by a profound modernization of the institution, driven by technological innovations, improved operational efficiency, and greater transparency in fiscal and customs processes.
[17] Justice Gutiérrez Ortiz Mena has been a pioneer in implementing a gender perspective in Mexican jurisprudence,[18] proposing a systematic approach to its application in judicial decision-making.
This approach has had a significant impact on cases involving child custody,[19] workplace equality, and gender-based violence, strengthening the protection of women's rights in Mexico.
Specifically, he has proposed standards to ensure that prosecutors fulfil their duty to investigate with a gender perspective, as established in the Mariana Lima Buendía case,[20] and that judges take these factors into account in their rulings.
He has also highlighted the importance of the right to truth (Karla Pontigo case)[21] and developed standards affirming that women's criminal responsibility must be determined free of stereotypes and with an awareness of the structural conditions shaping their realities.
With this focus, he has developed legal standards that advance family law, emphasizing the importance of recognizing relationships of dependency and care, and promoting the recognition of cohabitants' rights.
Specifically, he has addressed issues such as the standard for adequate material and formal defence,[35] the right to cross-examine witnesses, and the problematic nature of suggestive identification procedures.
[39] He has also issued landmark rulings on consular assistance,[40] the best interests of children and adolescents,[41] the rights of persons with disabilities,[42] freedom of speech,[43] non-contractual liability for medical negligence,[44] and reparations through amparo proceedings.
[45] Throughout his tenure on the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation, Alfredo Gutiérrez Ortiz Mena has made significant contributions to advancing human rights protections, while promoting a more inclusive and equitable approach to constitutional interpretation.
His work is distinguished by a steadfast commitment to fundamental principles such as justice, equity, and human dignity, consistently applying progressive interpretations of both national and international standards.
Additionally, he promoted the construction of SAT buildings with LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification,[46] such as the facility in Mexicali, Baja California, setting a sustainability standard for other offices nationwide.
He has emphasized that suspension rules in amparo cases must align with the principles of the Escazú Agreement, allowing such measures to become tools for early protection to prevent, mitigate, or repair environmental damage.
His rulings have addressed the protection of vulnerable ecosystems, state responsibility in cases of pollution, and the importance of prior consultation with indigenous communities affected by projects impacting their territories.