Conflict of Interest Plagues Brazil's Superior Courts; TST Judges Accused of Selling Legal Courses

The integrity of Brazil's superior courts is once again under the spotlight, as a series of scandals involving conflicts of interest continue to surface. From alleged sentence-selling in the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) to questionable ties within the Supreme Federal Court (STF), and now the disconcerting revelation of courses being sold to lawyers at the Superior Labor Court (TST), the evidence points to a systemic erosion of ethical standards.

At the TST, it appears that a significant portion of the judiciary—14 out of 25 justices—allegedly supplement their income by offering paid courses that instruct lawyers on how to effectively present their cases. This practice, described by TST President Luiz Philippe Vieira de Mello Filho as "completely unethical," blurs the lines between legitimate judicial duty and undue influence. While Vieira de Mello Filho has been vocal in exposing this conflict, his surprise at the extent of the practice is questionable, given its apparent normalization within the court.

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Ministros dando palestras em cursos pagos por advogados, ensinando como atuar no tribunal, é completamente antiético

This situation is not merely an isolated incident but a symptom of a deeper malaise affecting Brazil's highest judicial bodies. The dynamic described, where judges profit from teaching lawyers how to win cases before them, fosters an environment ripe for partisanship and undermines public trust. As Folha de S.Paulo has consistently reported, codes of ethics alone are insufficient. Stronger regulations and a genuine commitment to transparency are urgently needed to curb the unchecked exercise of power and ensure that justice is served impartially, not as a commodity.

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Isso não é exercício legítimo do magistério, é lição de lobby indevido.