The Brazilian legal system possesses features that attract the attention of international companies, particularly those with operations in the country. Combining accessibility with solid regulation, the Brazilian judiciary offers efficient mechanisms for conflict resolution, such as class actions and Small Claims Courts, as well as modern tools for mediation and conciliation. These characteristics place Brazil in a prominent position compared to other legal systems, particularly regarding the broad access to justice it provides.
However, the judicial landscape in Brazil also presents challenges that cannot be overlooked, especially for companies supplying goods and services. One of the most significant challenges is the phenomenon of mass litigation, which is widespread in the consumer sector. Repetitive lawsuits involving similar claims from numerous consumers are increasingly common and can result in severe financial and reputational consequences for companies.
For example, according to the Brazilian Association of Airlines (Abear), Brazil records 5,000 times more lawsuits than the United States. This amounts to one lawsuit for every 227 passengers in Brazil, compared to one for every 1.2 million passengers in the United States.
Therefore, while the broad access to justice represents an important achievement for the country, it also creates opportunities for abusive practices, such as predatory litigation, which involves filing a large number of lawsuits with little to no legal basis, aiming to pressure companies into quick financial settlements to avoid further losses. Such practices are particularly challenging for foreign companies, which may be unfamiliar with the nuances of the Brazilian legal system and unprepared to handle a high volume of similar lawsuits.
In this context, identifying warning signs is essential to prevent issues. Key indicators include a rise in consumer complaints, recurring claims of a similar nature, publicized grievances in the press and on social media, as well as the emergence of lawsuits involving similar facts and the participation of the same attorneys or law firms specializing in mass actions, particularly those with a history of predatory litigation. Actively monitoring these indicators allows companies to adopt a proactive and effective approach to managing potential crises.
To address this challenging environment, it is crucial to invest in best practices and adopt measures that strengthen the company’s position with both consumers and the judiciary. Ensuring that products and services comply with quality and safety standards is the first step, followed by improving consumer service channels to resolve issues quickly and prevent escalation to the judicial sphere. Additionally, implementing an active monitoring system for complaints and lawsuits helps companies anticipate trends and take preventive actions.
Relying on specialized legal teams familiar with the intricacies of the Brazilian market is another essential element. These teams can identify predatory practices and define strategies to combat them, including reporting such practices to the regulatory body overseeing the legal profession in Brazil and formally notifying judges handling the relevant cases.
By adopting a preventive and structured approach, companies can turn potential risks into opportunities to reinforce their commitment to consumers and ethical business practices. This not only minimizes negative impacts, but also solidifies a company’s position as a market leader in Brazil.