Cármen Lúcia takes office as Supreme Court chief justice

Supreme Court (STF) Justice Cármen Lúcia is to swear in today (Sep. 12) as head of the court for a two-year term. She is coming to occupy the seat left vacant by Justice Ricardo Lewandowski, whose term has just ended.

Cármen Lúcia is the second woman to take the reins of Brazil's top court, after former Justice Ellen Gracie, who led the court from 2006 to 2008.

In the ceremony, the minister will break the protocol by not holding a reception party with 2 thousand guests, afforded judges' associations whenever a new justice takes office. Last week, while attending the last Second Panel session, she said she is more into cases than parties.

Cármen Lúcia Antunes Rocha is 62 years old and joined the court after being appointed by former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in 2006.

She is the only court member who chooses not to use an official vehicle with a chauffeur. Cármen Lúcia is single, has no children, and lives in an official apartment provided by the Supreme Court, in Brasília.

In 2007, she also went against the tradition by attending a session wearing trousers rather than a skirt, which was against the norms at the time.

History in the Supreme Court

In the Supreme Court, Cármen Lúcia's work has been marked by the rigor with which she tries corruption cases, her firm stance regarding women's rights and her dealings with the res publica. In official trips, for instance, she prefers not to receive daily allowances, despite her right.

The STF justice is also known for harsh anti-corruption speeches. In November last year, during the trial which led to the arrest of former Senator Delcídio do Amaral under Operation Car Wash, she said crime would not prevail, and  that “criminals shall not pass.”

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira