Brazil's Justice Council Ends Compulsory Retirement for Judges

Brazil's National Justice Council approved Tuesday the elimination of compulsory retirement as the maximum disciplinary punishment for judges, replacing it with a proposal for loss of office that requires final Supreme Court approval for dismissal. The new rule, which amends a 2011 resolution, mandates immediate suspension of the judge upon application of the penalty, with salaries adjusted proportionally to contribution time until the Supreme Court's final decision. The process involves local court action, mandatory council review, and a federal attorney general's lawsuit before the Supreme Court rules. From September 2025 to July 2026, the council concluded 24 disciplinary proceedings, applying 13 compulsory retirements and removing 14 judges for serious misconduct. The new maximum penalty applies to severe offenses including negligence, incompatible conduct, and receiving undue advantages.