New Chief Supreme Court Justice advocates changes in judiciary

In her first speech as chief justice of the Supreme Court (STF), Justice Cármen Lúcia advocated deep changes in the judicial branch to address the widespread discontent of the Brazilian population with the country's judiciary.

In her view, a transformation of the judicial branch is “urgent and necessary” so that cases can be handled faster. According to the new chief justice, citizens demand that their rights be fulfilled.

“It ought to be recognized that citizens must not be satisfied with the judiciary. Judges are not either. In order to make the national judiciary meet the legitimate expectations of Brazilians as they should, it takes more, in my view, than just reforming it again,” the minister said.

Justice Lúcia broke with protocol and began her speech addressing the Brazilian citizens, whom she called “the utmost authority over all of us in civil service.” According to protocol rule, the president should address the attendees on the guest benches, among them President Michel Temer, the speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, and the president of the Senate.

Profile

Cármen Lúcia Antunes Rocha is 62 years old and ed the court after being appointed by former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in 2006.

In her court days, the minister keeps simple habits, like going to work on her own car. She is the only court member who chooses not to use an official vehicle with a chauffeur. The justice is single, has no children and lives in an official apartment provided by the Supreme Court in Brasília.

In the Supreme Court, the justice's work has been marked by the rigor with which she tries corruption cases, her firm stance regarding women's rights and her dealings with the res publica.

Translated by Amarílis Anchieta / Mayra Borges

Relacionadas

Cármen Lúcia takes office as Supreme Court chief justice