STF Sets Up Consultative Study Group to Reform Brazil's Justice System

Overview

• The Supreme Federal Court created the Grupo de Estudos sobre Modernização do Sistema de Justiça by portaria that was published Friday and attached it to the Court’s Centro de Estudos Constitucionais.
• The body has a consultative, non‑decision making mandate and must deliver a final report with diagnosis, comparative references and reform proposals by the end of 2026.
• Fernando Facury Scaff was named president of the group and federal desembargador Ney de Barros Bello Filho was named relator; about 18 other members will include ministers, magistrates, professors and jurists.
• The initiative is part of a broader push under STF president Edson Fachin to strengthen legitimacy through a proposed code of ethics for ministers and CNJ measures to increase transparency in magistrates’ pay, including a unified payslip and scrutiny of so‑called 'penduricalhos' or supplemental payments.
• Officials plan to use the report to inform legislative and administrative changes, and the study’s outcome could shape rules on judicial conduct, pay disclosure and court governance that affect how citizens access and trust the justice system.