Brazil: Hague Service Convention Now in Force

Written by | Dispute Resolution

The HCCH’s Convention of 15 November 1965 on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters (commonly known as the “Hague Service Convention”) is in force in Brazil for all purposes.

Brazil deposited its instruments of accession on 29 November 2018 and on 21 March 2019 the Presidential Decree (Decree 9,734/2019) was published in the Federal Gazette, making the Convention binding on Brazil. This was a very quick process for Brazil’s standards. Foreign parties will be able to serve Brazilian parties under the terms of the Convention from 1 June 2019.

This is the eighth HCCH Convention that Brazil has joined (with the most important for the purposes of international civil litigation and arbitrations being the Hague Evidence Convention – see my article here).

Members of the Convention include Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Unfortunately, Brazil has made declarations and reservations that take away many of the advantages contained in the Hague Services Convention. Specifically:

  • Article 5, third paragraph and article 7, second paragraph: the documents sent to Brazil must be translated into Portuguese (except for the standard terms contained in the request form annexed to the Convention);
  • Article 8: foreign diplomatic and consular agents will not be allowed to effect service in Brazil; and
  • Article 10: service by post from abroad will not be allowed, as will not requests made directly to Brazil’s judicial officers – requests will need to be made to Brazil’s Central Authority.

The usual procedures for service of process in Brazil by foreign litigants will remain as explained here. Requests for service made under the Hague Services Convention will follow the procedures set out in the Convention but they are not likely to change substantially at the Brazilian end.

Note that the Hague Service Convention does not affect service of process for arbitration matters. Service for arbitration proceedings can be effected in accordance with the applicable arbitration body’s rules and the ensuing arbitral award will be enforceable in Brazil if it meets the requirements of the New York Convention.

I have acted for many foreign clients looking to effect service in Brazil in the last decade and a half. The courts have been consistently been in favour of granting exequatur and attempting to effect service expeditiously. However, due to the overload of court cases – together with Brazil’s various avenues for appeals and procedural challenges – service of process often takes over a year to be effected. It is hoped that service of process under the Hague Service Convention will be effected more quickly and cheaply (although I am not holding my breath!).

Questions?

Contact me if you would like further information. My firm is ready to assist you.

Last modified: October 21, 2021