Gilmar Mendes slams STF peers on Master case and proposed ethics code

Minister Gilmar Mendes, the decano of Brazil's Supreme Federal Court (STF), used his appearance on TV Cultura's Roda Viva programme to attack colleagues. He said the timing of President Edson Fachin's proposal for a new STF code of ethics was poor, arguing that internal disputes involving ministers Alexandre de Moraes and Dias Toffoli made it unlikely to gather support. Mendes also denounced relator André Mendonça for a “gross error” after the judge spoke with a defence lawyer for ex‑banker Daniel Vorcaro in the large‑scale fraud investigation known as the Master case, insisting that a judge must not take part in plea‑bargaining negotiations.

Mendes compared the situation to the former Lava Jato investigations, suggesting that Mendonça might be trying to nullify the Master probe. Jurists pointed out that Mendes’ public comments may breach the Brazilian magistrates’ conduct law (Loman), which bars judges from commenting on pending cases.

At the same time, President Fachin is steering a separate agenda: he heads a working group tasked with drafting a comprehensive reform of the Brazilian judiciary, with a target to present the main proposals by 15 November. The reform plan covers digital transformation, AI governance, procedural simplification, transparency and institutional integrity. Fachin is also deciding which minister will oversee the “Dark Horse” case concerning money allegedly funneled by Senator Flávio Bolsonaro to a film, weighing Mendonça against Moraes as potential relator.

The public dispute highlights deep divisions within Brazil's highest court as it confronts high‑profile corruption scandals and internal governance reforms.