Brazil's CNJ Proposes National Policy to Enhance Precatórios Transparency and Management

On October 20, 2026, Brazil's National Justice Council (CNJ) presented a comprehensive proposal for a National Judicial Policy aimed at improving the management and payment of precatórios — judicial payment orders for public debts. Spearheaded by Councilor Andréa Cunha Esmeraldo, the policy targets enhanced transparency, efficiency, and protection for vulnerable creditors while advocating the modernization of processes through technology.

The proposal addresses key systemic challenges such as delays in payments, inconsistent administrative practices across courts, and lack of standardized national data. It encourages alternative payment mechanisms including direct agreements, tax compensations, and transactions involving precatório credits, moving beyond the current reliance on budgeted resources by the Union, states, and municipalities.

Management and oversight responsibilities will rest with the National Forum of Precatórios (Fonaprec), supported by a dedicated monitoring committee. The CNJ plans a phased implementation starting in 2027, with annual performance reports to ensure ongoing progress. Furthermore, to promote best practices, the proposal establishes an annual National Week for Adequate Treatment of Precatórios and the CNJ Award recognizing innovative management efforts.

Esmeraldo emphasized the collaborative development of the policy through extensive institutional debate and a public hearing held in September 2026. While the draft does not amend existing CNJ regulations, it lays foundational guidelines for future procedural and regulatory reforms in precatório administration.

This initiative reflects a strategic effort by Brazil's judiciary to sustainably reduce the precatório backlog, ensure legal security, promote transparency, and foster inter-institutional cooperation in managing public judicial debt payments.