U.S. evidence for foreign cases · Get My Discovery — a d/b/a of the Law Office of Derek J. Soltis  ·  Léalo en español →
§ 1782 · Mexico

U.S. evidence for your Mexican litigation

Mexican civil procedure offers limited discovery, and a Mexican court can't easily compel a bank or company in the United States. With so much trade and banking running across the border, the evidence you need is often U.S.-held — and 28 U.S.C. § 1782 reaches it.

For parties before the Mexican courts, obtaining documents or testimony from a third party located in the United States is difficult through the Mexican forum alone. Section 1782 lets a party in Mexican proceedings ask a U.S. federal court to compel that evidence for use back home.

Why Mexican litigants use § 1782

Common Mexican scenarios

Commercial disputes before the Mexican courts needing documents from a U.S. company; fraud, diversion-of-funds, and asset tracing where money was routed through U.S. correspondent or border banks; and enforcement of a Mexican judgment against assets in the United States.

Does it qualify? After ZF Automotive (2022), § 1782 covers foreign court and government/regulatory proceedings — litigation before the Mexican courts squarely qualifies. It generally does not cover private commercial arbitration, though a related court action may. See the arbitration note.

How it works

We act as your U.S. counsel: we confirm fit, identify the right U.S. federal district (where the evidence-holder is found), prepare and file the application — usually ex parte — and see it through to production. You and your Mexican lawyers keep the matter; we handle the U.S. side. For firms, see For Foreign Counsel.

Have a Mexican case that needs U.S. evidence?

Tell us about the proceeding and what you're trying to obtain. We'll give you a candid read on whether § 1782 fits.

Request a consultation Guía en español

Related: The Complete Guide to § 1782 · Rastreo de activos (ES) · How an application is filed

This page is attorney advertising and provides general information about 28 U.S.C. § 1782; it is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Availability is fact-specific and varies by U.S. federal district. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Get My Discovery is a d/b/a of the Law Office of Derek J. Soltis, admitted in New York (Reg. #5175971).