Brazilian judge denies free legal aid to worker suing Bradesco

A judge in Osasco, Brazil, has denied a request for free legal aid to an X-ray technician who is suing Bradesco. The technician, who earns a monthly salary of R$ 2,300, filed the lawsuit in Osasco—the bank's headquarters—rather than in his home city of Guarulhos.

Judge Raphael Martins de Oliveira ruled that by choosing to travel between the two cities for legal proceedings, the plaintiff demonstrated “economic capacity.” The judge noted that the round-trip public transport cost is approximately R$ 20, suggesting the plaintiff can afford the R$ 500 in court fees without compromising his livelihood. The plaintiff's defense has appealed the decision.

The lawsuit stems from a fraud incident involving a car negotiation. The technician is seeking to compel Bradesco to produce evidence to identify the perpetrator and to prove that the bank implemented adequate security measures when opening the account used in the crime.