A Reliable Solution for Debt Collection in Brazil

Aronis Advogados, led by attorney Octavio Aronis, is HMH Legal’s exclusive local partner law firm in Brazil, based in São Paulo. HMH Legal and Aronis Advogados have worked together for more than 20 years and share the same philosophy of creditor protection, amicable-first collection, and full transparency with international clients. Every debt collection claim submitted for Brazil is handled directly by Aronis Advogados’ Brazilian litigation lawyers, giving clients local legal expertise backed by HMH Legal’s cross-border experience.

Yes, but litigation in Brazil is slow, so it should generally be pursued only after amicable collection efforts fail. According to World Bank Doing Business data, resolving a commercial dispute in Brazil’s civil courts takes an average of 32 months (960+ days) at the first-instance level — not including any appeal — and costs around 27.2% of the claim’s value. The 2025 World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index similarly ranks Brazil #73 out of 143 countries for civil justice, just above the Latin American regional average. Court performance also varies significantly by state: jurisdictions like São Paulo, the Federal District (Brasília), and Sergipe rank among the fastest in the country, while others such as Espírito Santo and Santa Catarina rank among the slowest. Because of this variability, any litigation strategy in Brazil should be developed jointly with a local lawyer familiar with the specific court where the claim would be filed.

Yes. Debt collection practices in Brazil are regulated primarily through the Consumer Protection Code, the Civil Code, and the Criminal Code, and the rules are strict about how and when a debtor can be contacted. Collection calls are generally allowed only between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM on weekdays, with reduced hours on Saturdays in some states (until 2:00 PM in São Paulo, for example), and creditors are prohibited from exposing debtors to ridicule, embarrassment, or threats. Using coercion, false statements, or misleading information to collect a debt is a crime in Brazil, punishable by three months to one year in jail plus a fine. HMH Legal’s partner lawyers in Brazil operate under strict compliance with these regulations on every claim, protecting clients from liability exposure during the collection process.

The right collection firm for Brazil should have a physical presence in the country, be a licensed law firm rather than a call center, and work on contingency fees. Commercial (B2B) claims require a fundamentally different approach than small consumer debts, so look for a firm with: local physical presence for in-person debtor visits, a law firm structure staffed by licensed attorneys, lawyers who specialize in debt collection and are comfortable negotiating directly, litigation experience to properly assess a claim’s strength, a contingency (“no win, no fee”) fee model, and strict ethical and legal compliance standards. HMH Legal’s partner firm in Brazil, Aronis Advogados, is built around each of these criteria.

HMH Legal follows a structured five-step “S.M.A.R.T.” process for every claim in Brazil: Submit (the client forwards the claim with a forwarding letter), Mitigate (documents and available legal remedies are reviewed to assess risk), Assess (the debtor’s legal and financial situation is investigated), Reach (amicable, in-person collection efforts begin through the local Brazilian team), and Target (claims that merit legal action are identified, with clients advised accordingly). This structured approach ensures every claim is handled consistently, whether it resolves amicably or requires litigation.

Most amicable (out-of-court) collections in Brazil are resolved within one to three weeks once HMH Legal makes contact with the debtor. If a claim requires litigation, Brazilian court proceedings typically take two to four years to reach a first-instance resolution, though many debtors settle earlier once a lawsuit signals serious legal intent. HMH Legal always attempts the faster, amicable route first and recommends litigation only when it’s truly warranted.

To begin a claim, HMH Legal generally needs a signed forwarding letter along with supporting documentation: the original contract or purchase order, unpaid invoices, any promissory notes (notas promissórias), and copies of prior communication with the debtor about the late payment. The debtor’s full legal name (razão social) and Brazilian tax ID (CNPJ), if available, also help speed up the process. HMH Legal reviews these documents before confirming the claim and beginning collection efforts.

To start a claim in Brazil, simply submit it through HMH Legal’s online form or schedule a free consultation call with the Brazil legal team. One of HMH Legal’s experienced litigation lawyers — in partnership with Aronis Advogados — will review the case, answer questions, and provide a quote along with a services agreement to move forward. There’s no upfront fee required to start; the first stage of collection is handled entirely on a contingency basis.