Mariana Saroa de Souz
Lawyer at Marcos Martins Law Firm
On April 13, 2020, the Regional Labor Court of the 2nd Region published ACT GP 07/2020, which, due to the current situation faced by the Covid-19 pandemic, determines that hearings and trial sessions will be held as of May 4, 2020 by virtual and telepresence means in the Labor Courts, Panels and Specialized Sections of the Regional Labor Court of the 2nd Region.
The Act defines that hearings and sessions will be held exclusively through an Emergency Videoconferencing Platform, established by CNJ Ordinance No. 61. In addition, lawyers, parties and the Public Prosecutor’s Office will use this platform to hold the hearing and will receive an invitation to access the virtual room via email, it should be noted that this email does not dispense with the need to summon the parties to the hearing.
Furthermore, in order to hold the hearings in person, each court must create a room for videoconferencing In the event of any technological unavailability presented by the attorney or party, this will be analyzed by the Magistrate conducting the hearing.
Finally, according to the Act, it is the lawyer’s sole responsibility to have a stable internet connection and equipment to access the platform for the hearing or session.
Other Labor Courts, such as the 15th Region, are also regulating the holding of virtual hearings to resolve conflicts in collective bargaining related to the coronavirus pandemic, in addition to trial sessions via videoconference, a novelty in our legal system, which aims not to stop Justice in this complex moment that we are facing
