Is legal knowledge your passion? Right here stands the Instituto de Investigaciones Jurídicas. It is part of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México UNAM. People call it simply “Jurídicas”.
The Instituto de Investigaciones Jurídicas is dedicated to high-level legal research. It focuses on solving Mexico’s national problems. The institute also actively promotes legal knowledge. It organizes congresses seminars and conferences. These events foster academic exchange with foreign legal experts.
The Instituto de Investigaciones Jurídicas has a varied collection of journals and books. These publications cover diverse areas of law. Areas include administrative law environmental law and civil law. It also includes commercial law constitutional law and international law. Public and private information law new technologies and electoral law are covered too. Public opinion and political science are other areas.
The Instituto de Investigaciones Jurídicas was founded May 7 1940. Its founder was Felipe Sánchez Román y Galifa. It was initially named the Institute of Comparative Law. It belonged to the National School of Jurisprudence back then. The institute gained autonomy December 15 1948. It became part of UNAM as a university entity. The institute was renamed Instituto de Investigaciones Jurídicas December 15 1967. Javier Barros Sierra UNAM’s Rector proposed the name change.
The Instituto de Investigaciones Jurídicas has had several locations throughout its history. From 1940 to early 1941 it was in the “Jacinto Pallares” classroom. This classroom belonged to the National School of Jurisprudence. It then occupied a rented office on Artículo 123 street. It was in downtown Mexico City until 1945. In 1945 it moved to the annex of the National School of Jurisprudence. This was in the Palacio de San Ildefonso until 1954. From 1954 to 1986 it was located in the Torre de Humanidades. Today the Instituto de Investigaciones Jurídicas is in the Ciudad de la Investigación en Humanidades. This is within UNAM’s Ciudad Universitaria.
Gustavo Baz Prada UNAM’s Rector appointed Felipe Sánchez Román y Gallifa as its first director September 12 1940. Sánchez Román y Gallifa resigned before a year had passed. Agustín García López became the next director. Currently Mónica González Contró holds the position.
The Instituto de Investigaciones Jurídicas maintains relationships with national and foreign universities. It also collaborates with government agencies. These include the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Public Education. The National Human Rights Commission is another partner. The National Electoral Institute is a partner too. Also the Electoral Tribunal of the Federal Judiciary. The Attorney General’s Office is also a partner. It also collaborates with state governments and courts.
Through its research publications and collaborations the Instituto de Investigaciones Jurídicas contributes significantly to legal knowledge and its application in Mexico. The Instituto de Investigaciones Jurídicas remains a vital center for legal study and development.