What to expect from Brazil’s Supreme Court in 2020?

Photo: Patricia dos Santos

The Brazilian judiciary year ended on December 19, with the final sitting of the Supreme Court. The year 2019 saw the land’s highest tribunal decide on a number of controversial issues, including the possibility of carrying out jail sentences after a single failed appeal, the constitutionality of sharing information between oversight bodies and law enforcement, and the criminalization of those who do not pay tax.

The court made over 110,000 decisions last year, including individual rulings and those rendered by the collective body of justices. This year, the Supreme Court will seek to take itself out of the spotlight somewhat, analyzing less controversial—yet still thorny—issues. The court will also change its composition throughout 2020, as Justice Celso de Mello will retire. The Supreme Court veteran was appointed in 1989, and it is as of yet unclear who will replace him.

The Brazilian Report has compiled a list of the most important issues on the Supreme Court agenda for this year, which you can read below.

Minimum prices for land cargo operations

The Supreme Court will address issues involving Brazilian truck drivers, which is a delicate matter since the 2018 truckers’ strike, which nearly brought the country to a standstill with food and fuel shortages in major cities. Alternative modes of cargo transport in Brazil, such as rail or water, are near non-existent, making truck drivers essential to moving goods around the country.

In a bid to end the strike in 2018, then-President Michel Temer instituted a minimum price table for freight operations, which is where the Supreme Court comes in this year. Cases have been filed questioning the validity of this measure, with some arguing it harms competition and free enterprise. Those who are in favor claim free enterprise and competition are not absolute, and may be tweaked to protect constitutional values, such as the principles of human dignity and the valuation of labor.

Assignment of oil fields

Brazil’s oil fields will also be...

Brenno Grillo

Brenno has worked as a journalist since 2012, specializing in coverage related to law and the justice system. He has worked for O Estado de S. Paulo, Portal Brasil, ConJur, and has experience in political campaigns.