Brazil's top judge advocates for judicial discretion, warns against individual prominence

Supreme Court President Edson Fachin urged judges to exercise discretion and avoid individual protagonism, stating that "institutional silence often outweighs individual protagonism." Speaking at a judicial ethics conference in Brasília, Fachin emphasized that judicial authority is built on the quality of decisions, not the frequency of public statements.

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Many times institutional silence is worth more than individual protagonism.

"Serenity and discretion, prudence and restraint are virtues that build trust. Every judge must be an entrepreneur of trust," Fachin said. He noted that judges are observed not only for their rulings but also for their public statements and silences, as these actions shape public perception of the judiciary. He asserted that every hearing, sentence, decision, and public gesture communicates an image of justice to society, making institutional responsibility a constant companion for magistrates.

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Not all visibility strengthens institutions. The authority of a judge is not born from the frequency of their statements, but from the quality of their decisions.

Fachin also highlighted the indivisible nature of integrity, stating that transparency and probity in both public and personal life are crucial for earning public trust. "Independence and impartiality cannot be personal privileges. Integrity is indivisible," he declared. He argued that crises are not fueled when acts are transparent and honest, and that trust is earned, not decreed.

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Serenity and discretion, prudence and restraint are virtues that build trust. Every judge must be an entrepreneur of trust.

The president of the Supreme Court further stressed that "people come and go" and "no one is above institutions." He believes that the judiciary thrives in an environment that embraces criticism, transparency, accountability, and power control. "The magistracy is also a career of responsibilities. Independence, impartiality, efficiency, probity, intellectual discipline are not values that restrict a judge's freedom; on the contrary, they are conditions for their moral authority," he concluded, adding that honesty and probity must be practiced, not just spoken.

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Every hearing, every sentence, every decision, every public statement, every gesture. Everything communicates, educates, projects a certain image of justice itself to society.