Commercial litigation in Brazil for foreign companies
Strategy and local representation in commercial disputes before Brazilian courts, with English-language reporting and coordination with teams abroad.
5,0 · 18 Google reviewsA foreign company facing a dispute in Brazil must quickly identify the document received, the court, deadlines, procedural representation and available evidence. The first task is to stabilise the matter; the next is to build a strategy aligned with the contract, facts and Brazilian procedure.
Commercial disputes that may require Brazilian counsel.
- Contract breachClaims for performance, termination, damages, penalties and interpretation of commercial obligations.
- Defence of a commercial claimReview of service, preliminary issues, merits, evidence and response strategy in Brazil.
- Urgent measuresAssessment of interim relief to preserve rights, documents, assets or contractual continuity.
- Distribution and partnership disputesExclusivity, termination, territory, commissions, stock, competition and transition.
- International evidence and documentsOrganisation of foreign records, translations, authentication and witness evidence as appropriate.
- Cross-border coordinationEnglish reporting and alignment with in-house counsel and lawyers in other jurisdictions.
Commercial litigation does not mean every business dispute.
This page covers commercial and contractual disputes before Brazilian courts. Pure debt collection, employment litigation, internal shareholder disputes and intellectual property remain subject to their own pages and strategies.
Procedural deadlines should not be calculated solely from the day a document reached headquarters. Service, publication, court holidays, representation and the applicable procedural rule must be confirmed in the case record.
No strategy can be promised before the proceeding and central documents are reviewed. The initial assessment identifies immediate measures, missing information and the available defensive or claimant options.
How we run the work.
- Protect the deadlineWe confirm the document, case, form of service and relevant procedural trigger.
- Review and risk mapWe organise claims, grounds, contracts, documents and points requiring evidence.
- Approved strategyWe present options, dependencies, procedural costs and the next milestones for decision.
- Representation and evidenceWe file the approved measures and conduct the necessary documentary and oral evidence.
- Reporting and decisionsWe keep the company informed in English and flag decisions requiring business input.
What to bring to the first conversation.
Documents that speed up the review
You do not need everything organised before speaking to us. These items help define scope and priorities.
- Service document or case number
- Agreement and amendments
- Notices and communications
- Chronology of events
- Delivery and payment records
- Witness identification
- Policies or technical documents
- Related earlier decisions
Informational content under Brazilian Bar Association Rule 205/2021. Engagement is subject to case review and a written proposal; no outcome is promised.
What clients say on Google.
“From the very start I was looked after exceptionally. The team is attentive and explains every step.”
Amanda M. · Google“Excellent, highly qualified professionals. I highlight the professionalism, the service and the honesty.”
Rita G. · Google“Very polite, patient, always with precise, accurate answers. I recommend them with no reservations!”
Thais T. · GoogleReal client reviews published on Google.
Who leads this area.
Partner in charge of the corporate practice (OAB/SP 344.334). Postgraduate in Business Law (FGV), advising on the drafting and negotiation of commercial contracts, corporate matters, trademarks and data protection. Member of AASP and of the AIPLA. Fluent in English.
Meet Renato FalchetHow this page relates to other services.
Debt recovery, shareholder disputes, employment and trademarks have separate pages. This page remains limited to commercial litigation.
Common questions.
What should we do after receiving Brazilian court papers abroad?
Preserve the document and attachments and send them for immediate verification. The court, case number, form of service, date and content should be checked before deciding which deadline or measure applies.
Does the foreign company need a representative in Brazil?
The company must appoint counsel qualified in Brazil and prove the relevant signing and representation powers. Foreign corporate documents and powers of attorney may require an apostille or legalisation and translation. If a company based abroad brings a claim without Brazilian real estate sufficient to secure costs and the opposing party’s court-awarded legal fees, security under Civil Procedure Code art. 83 must also be assessed, including exemptions under treaties and for enforcement proceedings or counterclaims.
Can the proceeding be managed in English?
Communication with the company can be in English, but court proceedings use Portuguese. For filing foreign-language documents, Civil Procedure Code art. 192 requires a Portuguese version transmitted through diplomatic channels or the central authority, or prepared by a sworn translator. Formalities and any exceptions must be checked for the particular document and proceeding.
Can we seek urgent relief?
Yes, where the legal requirements are met and the evidence supports urgency and the asserted right. Viability depends on the facts, relief requested and demonstrable risk.
Does this page also cover debt collection?
Debt collection and recovery have their own page. Where a matter involves a broader contractual controversy, we determine the correct route after reviewing the claims and documents.
Do you guarantee timing or outcome?
No. Duration and outcome depend on the court, evidence, counterparty and judicial decisions. Our proposal describes the work, identified risks and next steps without promising a result.
Has your company received court papers or encountered a dispute in Brazil?
Send us the document received, the agreement and the available chronology. The first review checks deadlines, scope and immediate measures.