TJMA suspends payments above the constitutional ceiling after decision by the STF Disclosure The current administration of the Maranhão Court of Justice (TJMA) reported that it suspended payments above the constitutional ceiling following a decision by the Federal Supreme Court (STF). According to the Court, the payments analyzed were authorized during the administration of judge Froz Sobrinho. According to the clarifications presented to the ministers, the TJMA informed that the current management, led by judge Ricardo Duailibe, determined the suspension of payments that exceed the constitutional ceiling until the Supreme Court establishes a definitive understanding on the issue. The measure was adopted in compliance with the STF's determination and as a way of ensuring legal certainty in the face of the national discussion on the payment of certain remuneration and compensation amounts within the scope of the Brazilian Judiciary. ? Click here and subscribe to the g1 Maranhão channel on WhatsApp The statement sent by the current administration also clarified situations previously authorized in the Court, during the administration of judge Froz Sobrinho. Among the cases analyzed is the payment of approximately R$270,000 identified on a magistrate's paycheck. According to the information presented to the Supreme Court, this is a specific situation, resulting from the accumulation of administratively recognized funds, and not a current practice of the Court. In addition to this episode, six other cases of payments above the ceiling were also identified in the survey sent to the STF. The Court explained that the amounts were paid based on administrative rules in force at the time and national regulations from the National Council of Justice (CNJ), an understanding also adopted by other state courts. Upon assuming the Presidency of the TJMA, Judge Ricardo Duailibe adopted the necessary measures to adapt internal procedures to the new guidelines established by the Supreme Court, including the preventive suspension of questioned payments until the Court's final decision. With the measures adopted, the TJMA informed the Supreme Court that it continues to fully comply with court orders and will await the Court's final decision to apply the new parameters. Read the note in full below: "The Court of Justice of the State of Maranhão, taking note of the decision of the Honorable Mr. Minister Alexandre de Moraes, of the Federal Supreme Court, in which he ordered the presentation of detailed information on remuneration and compensation amounts paid in the months of April, May, June and July of this year, informs that it will provide all the information that was requested, within the deadline indicated, as required, highlighting its commitment to complying with the decisions of the Supreme Court Federal and with transparency in management." Understand the case Ministers Alexandre de Moraes, Cristiano Zanin, Flávio Dino and Gilmar Mendes, of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), gave this Monday (6) a 48-hour deadline for the presidents of seven courts of justice to explain the payment of the so-called "penduricalhos" – compensation funds that exceed the constitutional remuneration ceiling. The ministers took the decision after a report in the newspaper "Folha de S.Paulo" which pointed out that several state courts had disrespected the understanding that limits the penduricalhos signed by the STF in a trial that took place on March 25th of this year. According to the report, remuneration and compensation payments would have been authorized which, together, would exceed the limits set by the Supreme Court, reaching amounts of up to R$495 thousand in some cases. The ministers ordered the immediate summons of the presidents of the Courts of Justice of the following units of the federation: Federal District; Goiás; Maranhão; Paraná; Rio de Janeiro; Rio Grande do Norte; Rondônia. The courts have 48 hours to comply with the determination. If the order is not complied with, those responsible may be immediately removed from their management position, in addition to being subject to criminal, civil and disciplinary action. According to the orders, institutions must provide data on amounts and funds paid to each active magistrate, retirees and pensioners, for the months of April, May, June and July 2026. They must also indicate, individually, the remuneration and compensation amounts. And attach copies of the payroll for the months mentioned to the files. Alexandre de Moraes and Flávio Dino in images from 2025 Rosinei Coutinho/STF and Gustavo Moreno/STF What the courts say The Court of Justice of the State of Rondônia (TJRO) sent a note about the case. See in full: "The Court of Justice of the State of Rondônia (TJRO) clarifies that the reports published on the salaries of the judiciary in Rondônia were based on a mistaken premise. The payments made to the judiciary comply with the decision of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), the Joint Resolution published by the National Council of Justice (CNJ) and the National Council of the Public Ministry (CNMP), the internal administrative controls and the rules of transparency applicable to public administration. limit in Rondônia would be approximately R$ 62 thousand, based on a mistaken premise, as it disregards the Appreciation Portion for Length of Legal Activity in Career (PVTAC) - recognized by the STF and regulated by the Joint Resolution due according to the time of effective legal activity. This portion has its own nature and is not to be confused with the additional amount for time of service. and by Joint Resolution CNJ/CNMP nº 14/2026, considering the installments admitted nationally and the corresponding legal and functional requirements. The TJRO emphasizes that there was no creation of local advantage, payment without a normative basis or adoption of any measure intended to circumvent the decision of the Federal Supreme Court. Payroll is processed based on legal criteria, submitted to its own administrative controls and made available on official transparency channels. The Court reaffirms its commitment to complying with judicial decisions, the uniform application of national standards and the provision of correct information to society. Regarding the Supreme Court's determination, the Court will provide, within the established deadline, all the clarifications and documents requested."