Brazil's Mato Grosso Public Ministry and National Justice Council Promote Consensual Dispute Resolution

On 15 March, the Ministry of Public Affairs of Mato Grosso (MPMT) and the National Justice Council (CNJ) were interviewed at the 58th Expoagro in Cuiabá. Sub‑procurator‑general Marcelo Ferra de Carvalho and CNJ advisor Ulisses Rabaneda discussed the "Ministério Público resolutivo" and the culture of autocomposition, emphasizing that consensual settlement of conflicts enhances citizens' well‑being.

Rabaneda said, “We wake up seeking happiness; we are not happy if we have conflicts,” linking personal happiness to conflict resolution. Ferra added that “the pursuit of being right does not always serve the parties; a consensual agreement often benefits everyone, including the Public Ministry.” The speakers highlighted Brazil’s over‑burdened judiciary—over 80 million cases in docket—and explained that the CNJ is encouraging consensus‑based solutions to free courts for more serious matters.

Both officials argued that collaborative, dialogue‑based approaches improve the effectiveness of public institutions and reduce the strain on the judicial system.