Politics · Brazil · 8 hrs ago
Brazilian courts seek R$532.9 million for judicial benefits in 2026
Brazil’s Federal Justice Council and prosecutor’s office say they need R$532.9 million more in 2026 to pay benefits to judges and prosecutors.
The benefits, known as “penduricalhos,” include payments for unused leave and an additional amount based on years of legal work.
The extra costs followed Supreme Court decisions that set new rules for these payments.
The agencies say the money was not included in this year’s budget, and they want the government to provide it through emergency funding.
The Planning Ministry’s legal advisers say that obeying the court rulings alone does not justify using that funding mechanism.
The attorney general’s office has asked the Supreme Court for guidance on how the rulings can be carried out without enough money in the budget.
The request does not dispute the benefits, but seeks clarity on the funding steps the government should take.
The Federal Prosecutor General’s Office and Federal Justice Council say they need R$532.9 million in additional funding in 2026 for benefits paid to judges and public prosecutors.
The Federal Justice system estimates it needs R$208.9 million, while the Federal Public Ministry estimates an impact of R$324 million.
The agencies say the costs were not included in the 2026 budget and are seeking an extraordinary credit to fund the payments.
The Planning Ministry’s legal advisory office says compliance with Supreme Court rulings does not, by itself, justify opening an extraordinary credit.
The Attorney General’s Office has asked the Supreme Court to clarify how the rulings should be carried out when funds are insufficient.
- Who
- The Federal Prosecutor General’s Office and the Federal Justice Council are seeking funds. The Attorney General’s Office has asked the Supreme Court for guidance.
- What
- They say they need R$532.9 million in additional funding in 2026 for judicial benefits.
- When
- The funding is sought for 2026. The Attorney General’s Office filed its request on November 6.
- Where
- Brazil.
- Why
- The agencies say the costs arose after the 2026 budget was prepared and are not covered by it.
Federal Prosecutor General’s Office and Federal Justice Council
Planning Ministry legal advisory office
Funding mechanism
Federal Prosecutor General’s Office and Federal Justice Council
The agencies support opening an extraordinary credit to pay the benefits.
Planning Ministry legal advisory office
The legal advisory office says the obligation to follow the Supreme Court rulings does not by itself authorize an extraordinary credit.
Budget requirements
Federal Prosecutor General’s Office and Federal Justice Council
The agencies say the expenses were not included in the 2026 budget and that resources are insufficient.
Planning Ministry legal advisory office
The legal advisory office says constitutional requirements for an extraordinary credit must be demonstrated.
The Supreme Court issued rulings setting new rules for judicial benefits.
The Federal Prosecutor General’s Office and Federal Justice Council sent letters to the Attorney General’s Office saying the costs were not covered by the budget.
The Attorney General’s Office asked the Supreme Court for clarification on how to carry out the rulings with insufficient funds.
- Total requested
- R$532.9 million
- Federal Justice estimate
- R$208.9 million
- Federal Public Ministry estimate
- R$324 million
- Constitutional spending cap
- R$46,366.19
- Seniority allowance
- 5% of salary every five years, capped at 35%