OAB-BA secures injunction to restore lawyers' professional rights

The Brazilian Bar Association (OAB-BA) has secured a preliminary injunction via habeas corpus from the 1st Criminal Chamber of the Court of Justice of the State of Bahia (TJ-BA). This decision reverses a previous ruling from Salvador that had suspended the professional activities of three lawyers involved in ‘Operação Perjúrio’ (Operation Perjury).

Relator Judge Jatahy Júnior ruled that the suspension was disproportionate, noting that the Public Prosecutor's Office (MP-BA) had only requested searches, seizures, and asset freezes, rather than the suspension of legal practice. The court found that the initial ban excessively restricted the constitutional right to work by blocking access to electronic court systems, which would have impacted the lawyers' ability to manage cases entirely unrelated to the investigation.

While the professional practice of the lawyers is restored, the court maintained other precautionary measures, including searches, seizures, and asset freezes. The investigation aims to uncover a scheme involving the use of falsified documents, such as residency proofs and altered powers of attorney, to facilitate hundreds of lawsuits against financial institutions.