The Digital Legal Domicile (Domicílio Judicial Eletrônico, DJE) is a crucial innovation in the Brazilian legal landscape, developed by the National Justice Council (CNJ) to streamline communication between the courts and legal entities. This application aims to unify and centralize all judicial communications, providing a more efficient system for delivering notifications and summonses.

Registration with the DJE is mandatory for all companies registered in Brazil, according to CNJ Resolutions No. 234/2016 and No. 455/2022. The registration schedule is staggered based on the size of the company, with an initial deadline for voluntary registration set for May 30, 2024. After this date, registration will occur automatically using data available in the National Registry of Legal Entities (Cadastro Nacional da Pessoa Jurídica, CNPJ).

One of the main advantages of the DJE is the increased speed of judicial processes. With the implementation of this system, judicial notifications and summonses can be sent more quickly, thereby reducing the duration of legal proceedings. Additionally, the system offers centralized access to information regarding the progress of pending cases, facilitating monitoring by the involved parties.

However, failing to acknowledge a summons received through the DJE can have significant consequences for companies. If a summons is not confirmed within three business days, the company may face a fine of up to 5% of the dispute’s value if no valid justification is provided. For general judicial communications, the notification will be deemed received after the deadline, regardless of whether the company has actually viewed the information.

Despite its benefits, the implementation of the DJE may pose challenges. The sheer volume of information generated and centralized in the system can be difficult to manage effectively. To prevent critical information from being overlooked, the CNJ recognizes this challenge and has enabled the integration of application programming interfaces (APIs). These APIs can assist companies in managing the information received more efficiently.

If your company needs assistance with accessing and registering with the DJE or managing the information received through an established API system, feel free to contact us:

• Caio Henrique Yoshikawa: caio.yoshikawa@pg.law
• Sergio Coelho de Azevedo Jr.: sergio.coelho@pg.law
• Pedro Lucas Marques de Oliveira: pedro.oliveira@pg.law

Compliance with the Digital Legal Domicile is not just a new obligation; it is an opportunity to modernize how companies interact with the judicial system in Brazil, making the process more transparent and efficient.