The president of the Supreme Court of Justice (STJ) and the Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSM) defended this Thursday, October 16, in parliament, that the STJ should decide fewer appeals and criticized the creation of specialized courts.
Heard by deputies within the scope of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs, Rights, Freedoms and Guarantees, regarding the CSM’s annual report, João Cura Mariano said that “having the right to a third opinion [STJ] It’s a luxury that most European countries don’t have.”
João Cura Mariano explained that, currently, there are 60 judges at the Supreme Court of Justice and argued that there could be fewer, if the appeal to this instance had more rigorous criteria, and that “the role of the Supreme Court of Justice is to create guidelines”.
Questioned by the deputies of this commission about the creation of specialized courts, the president of the CSM and the STJ admitted that it could be harmful, for example, to have judges who only judge cases of domestic violence. “I completely disagree with specialized courts”he considered.
The topics discussed in this Thursday’s hearing also included measures that can be taken through the Assembly of the Republic to speed up work in the courts, with the president of the STJ warning of the need for changes in the investigation phase. “Currently, it is used as a first trial, the person is almost tried twice”, he added.
João Cura Mariano also mentioned the technological issue in the courts, considering that this area has not been the target of major investment and criticized the fact that the process systems are under the control of the Ministry of Justice. “It is unacceptable that the Government can control the judges’ processes”, he warned, adding that “the system should not be in the Ministry of Justice, but in the districts”.
The CSM’s annual report, the reason that took the president and vice-president of this body to parliament today, was delivered to the Assembly of the Republic in July, and revealed that, in relation to the number of judges, in 2024, there was the “most pronounced drop in the last five years”, with 1,716 judges in full service, less than the 1,739 in 2023.
In 2024, 57 magistrates left office due to retirement, in addition to one departure due to dismissal, four deaths and one voluntary dismissal from office, in a total of 63 departures from the judicial judiciary.
The post Fewer Appeals at the Supreme Court of Justice appeared first on Veritas News.
