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For companies, managers and regulated professionals

Administrative and Regulatory Law

Defense in administrative proceedings, audits, penalties and inspections by federal, state and municipal authorities, and representation before the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU).

The problem

When the administration decides before hearing the company

Precautionary suspensions that drag on for years, fines calculated without individualizing the conduct, reimbursement claims based on preliminary reports. In administrative proceedings, companies often lose because of missed deadlines or insufficient documentary evidence, not because their position lacks merit.

We begin by examining the proceeding: who decided, on what grounds, whether the company was given an opportunity to respond (contraditório) and whether the measure applied is what the rule authorizes. From there we define the administrative defense and, when necessary, court action.

Situations we handle

Frequent cases in this area

  • Audits and suspensions in Brazil’s Popular Pharmacy Program (Farmácia Popular)
  • Special accounts proceedings (tomada de contas especial) and cases before the TCU
  • Health-regulatory violation notices (autos de infração sanitária) and proceedings before ANVISA and local health authorities
  • Suspension of payments and withholding of amounts by a public body
  • Fines, warnings and revocation of accreditation
  • Agreements (convênios), accountability reports and reimbursement of public funds
  • Public procurement and administrative contracts
  • Writs of mandamus (mandado de segurança) against unlawful acts by public authorities

How we work

Stages of our work

Step 1

Full access to the case file

Requesting access to, and copies of, all records, reports and notices.

Step 2

Map of deadlines and defects

Defense and appeal deadlines, and defects in notification, reasoning and jurisdiction.

Step 3

Defense and documentary evidence

Organizing the documentation that shows the regularity of each challenged transaction.

Step 4

Court action, if appropriate

Writ of mandamus or annulment action when the administrative route does not remedy the unlawful act.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions

Can a precautionary suspension last indefinitely?

A precautionary measure must be reasoned, proportionate and periodically reassessed. When it drags on without a decision, an administrative review may be requested and, depending on the case, the matter may be taken to court.

Do I have to wait for the end of the administrative proceeding before going to court?

Not always. A writ of mandamus, for example, must be filed within 120 days of learning of the act, under Law No. 12,016/2009. The right route depends on analysis of the case.

Does the firm act in proceedings in other states?

Yes. Federal administrative proceedings and the TCU are conducted electronically, so we can act from Curitiba.

For general information only. Each case depends on a review of the documents and the stage of the proceeding.

Contact

Discuss your case with the firm

Send a brief description of the matter and, if applicable, the case or proceeding number.

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