Both Board members will begin their three-year terms on January 1, 2027, contributing to JSCA’s institutional mission of promoting the modernization of justice systems and strengthening the rule of law throughout the Americas.
The General Assembly also announced that a third vacancy on the Board of Directors will be filled in September by the OAS Permanent Council. Nominations from Member States will be accepted until August 21.
Patricia Elizabeth Gámez
Patricia Elizabeth Gámez is a Guatemalan attorney with a distinguished career in the judiciary and institutional strengthening. She currently serves as President of the Guatemalan Bar and Notaries Association (Colegio de Abogados y Notarios de Guatemala – CANG), where she has promoted initiatives aimed at strengthening the rule of law, modernizing judicial systems, and advancing accessible, independent, and efficient justice.
She brings more than 15 years of experience as a criminal court judge, providing her with extensive knowledge of the operation of justice systems and the challenges involved in ensuring effective access to justice.
Following her election, Gámez stated that she assumes this responsibility “with full conviction,” reaffirming her commitment to regional cooperation, the exchange of experiences, and the pursuit of innovative solutions to strengthen justice across the Americas. She also noted that joining the Board of Directors represents an opportunity to continue working toward stronger, more transparent, and more citizen-centered institutions.
Santiago Pereira Campos
A renowned Uruguayan scholar and expert in procedural law and judicial reform, Santiago Pereira Campos has built an extensive career in academia, institutional development, and international cooperation.
He currently serves as President of the Ibero-American Institute of Procedural Law, is a Council Member of the International Association of Procedural Law, and is a Full Professor of Procedural Law at the University of Montevideo. He also directs the University’s Master’s Program in Procedural Law and Litigation, as well as its Graduate Program in Applied Procedural Law.
His primary research focuses on justice system reform, particularly the relationship between procedural law and public policy. He has served as a consultant for international organizations including the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and JSCA, while also advising judicial reform processes across the region.
He also serves as an arbitrator in complex dispute resolution proceedings, coordinates the Uruguayan Network for Plain Legal Language, and is a member of the Latin American Chair on Plain Legal Language.
His appointment to the Board of Directors also marks his return to JSCA, where he previously served as a Board member from 2012 to 2017, including a term as Chair of the Board.
With these appointments, JSCA’s Board of Directors gains the expertise of two distinguished professionals with extensive experience in the judiciary, academia, public policy, and international cooperation, further strengthening the institution’s work to promote more efficient, accessible, and innovative justice systems throughout the Americas.