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Gilmar Mendes

His Excellency
Gilmar Ferreira Mendes
Gilmar Mendes audiência pública.jpg
Chief Justice of the Supreme Federal Court
In office
April 23, 2008 – April 23, 2010
Preceded by Ellen Gracie Northfleet
Succeeded by Cezar Peluso
Justice of the Supreme Federal Court
Assumed office
June 20, 2002
Nominated by Fernando Henrique Cardoso
Preceded by Néri da Silveira
Personal details
Born (1955-12-30) December 30, 1955 (age 61)
Diamantino, Mato Grosso, Brazil
Alma mater University of Brasília
Religion Roman Catholic

Gilmar Ferreira Mendes (born December 30, 1955) is a Brazilian Justice of the Supremo Tribunal Federal (Brazilian Supreme Federal Court), since being appointed by then President Fernando Henrique Cardoso in 2002. Mendes was also the Chief Justice for the 2008-2010 term and the Solicitor-General from 2000 to 2002.

Mendes was born in Diamantino, Mato Grosso. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Law from University of Brasília, received his Master's Degree in Law from the same university, another Master's Degree in Law from University of Münster (Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster) with the dissertation "Presupposed Admissibility of the Abstract Norm Control in the Federal Constitutional Court" (Die Zulassigkeitsvoraussetzungen der abstrakten Normenkontrolle vor dem Bundesverfassungsgericht) and a PhD in Law from the same university with the thesis "Abstract Norm Control in the Federal Constitutional Court and the Brazilian Supremo Tribunal Federal (Die abstrakte Normenkontrolle vor dem Bundesverfassungsgericht und vor dem brasilianischen Supremo Tribunal Federal).

Gilmar Mendes was assigned to the Supreme Court by presidente Fernando Henrique Cardoso. During his tenure, Mendes took the position of vice-Chief Justice (2006-2008) and then took oath as Chief Justice (2008-2010). Mendes was also president of the Nacional Justice Council (2008-2010), and implemented a national plan to modernize Brazilian Justice, which resulted in the judgement of 2.72 million old cases (dated before 2006). During his tenure, other measures were taken to enhance dynamism and efficiency in the Brazilian judicial system, such as the creation of the Electronic judicial process and the lower criminal and civil virtual courts, among others.

In addition to his role as a leading judge, Mendes has contributed to doctrine and research, having published many books, articles and participated in academic events.

Gilmar Mendes's name was the least supported nomination to the Supreme Court ever to be approved by the senate, with three times more senators voting against him than the next most rejected Justice, Eros Grau. Shortly before confirmation (still as Fernando Henrique Cardoso's attorney general), Mendes was accused of paying R$32K with funds from the Attorney General's office to a law school prep course, owned by Mendes.


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