The São Paulo Court of Justice (TJ-SP) has significantly increased the extra financial benefits paid to its judges, despite efforts to suspend such payments by the Supreme Federal Court (STF). Over the past two years, the average extra compensation for an active judge has gone from R$ 23,000 to a staggering R$ 93,000, marking an increase of 304%, while the official inflation rate during this period was only 10.27%. This dramatic rise in extra payments has drawn attention and raises questions about fiscal responsibility and equity within the Brazilian judiciary.

This spurt in allowances coincides with a resolution from the National Justice Council (CNJ) that granted the judiciary authority to provide cash payments outside of the salary cap calculations for judges, as compensation for owed leave time. In 2022 alone, the total payroll expenses for active judges amounted to R$ 3.7 billion, of which R$ 2.5 billion was allocated to these extra payments. These figures highlight a burgeoning concern regarding the financial management of the judicial system in São Paulo, as they illustrate a pronounced discrepancy between judicial salaries and broader public sector earnings.

The implications of these increased payments extend beyond mere numbers; they reflect significant ongoing debates within Brazil regarding judicial reform, accountability, and the need to address not only the transparency but also the fairness of compensation practices in public service. As the TJ-SP seeks to maintain these benefits amidst legal challenges, this situation serves as a critical juncture for future discussions on the structure of judicial pay and the management of public funds in Brazil.