Brazil Shuts Down AI Legal Site for Unauthorized Practice of Law

A website offering AI-generated legal petitions for BRL$19.90 (less than US$5) has been suspended by a Brazilain court. The platform, Resolve Juizado, promoted itself as a quick and affordable way to file small claims. But its rapid growth has come to an abrupt stop.

The site promised fast results for consumers looking to initiate actions in Brazil’s small claims courts (Juizados Especiais). With just a few clicks, users could generate ready-to-file legal documents at a fraction of the cost of traditional legal services. But there was one problem: no lawyer was involved in preparing or reviewing those documents.

That’s why the Rio de Janeiro chapter of the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB) filed suit. The OAB argued that the platform amounted to the unauthorized practice of law, and the court agreed. In Brazil, legal services must be provided by a qualified professional, not a machine.

This case isn’t only about AI in the courtroom; it’s about protecting consumers. As the court pointed out, AI, no matter how advanced, can’t guarantee that a petition is factually accurate, legally sound, or properly filed.

If this sounds familiar, it may be because a similar case arose last year in the US. DoNotPay, an AI-driven platform that helped users fight traffic tickets, settled with federal regulators after facing legal action.

Legal tech has real potential in Brazil, but it must operate within the law. AI can assist lawyers; it just can’t replace them. And yes, that human oversight will cost more than BRL$19.90.