IA Berna and the Fight Against Abusive Litigation: Innovation at the CNJ through the Justice 4.0 Program
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The Brazilian legal landscape is undergoing an unprecedented transformation with the integration of disruptive technologies into the daily operations of the courts. The National Council of Justice (CNJ), through the “Conecta” webinar, recently presented Berna, a cutting-edge artificial intelligence developed by the Court of Justice of Goiás (TJGO). This tool is not just a technical advancement, but a strategic response to the critical challenge of abusive litigation, which overburdens the judicial system and compromises procedural efficiency throughout the country.
The Challenge of Abusive Litigation in the Brazilian Judiciary
Abusive litigation frequently manifests itself through the filing of mass claims, often based on weak or repetitive legal arguments, with the intent of congesting the courts and forcing settlements or favorable decisions by volume. This phenomenon generates an immense operational cost for the State and harms citizens seeking the resolution of legitimate disputes. The introduction of Berna emerges as an institutional defense mechanism, using technology to identify patterns and behaviors that characterize this abuse of the right of action.
The tool uses Recursive Electronic Search using Natural Language to analyze petitions and processes on a scale humanly impossible. By automating the recognition of these claims, the AI allows the Judiciary to act preventively and assertively, ensuring that public resources and magistrates’ time are directed to where justice is truly needed.
“Artificial intelligence does not replace human judgment, but enhances it. Tools like Berna are essential to filter out the noise of predatory litigation and allow Justice to focus on its essential mission of social pacification.” – [Source: CNJ] [1]
Berna’s Architecture: Technology and Efficiency
Developed with a focus on usability and precision, Berna was designed to be integrated into the workflow of the courts without generating friction. Its main technical capabilities include:
- Natural Language Processing (NLP): Ability to interpret complex legal texts and identify similar arguments in different processes.
- Pattern Identification: Mapping recurring behaviors of litigants and lawyers that may indicate abusive practices.
- Triage Automation: Streamlining the process of classifying claims, reducing the court’s initial response time.
- Interoperability: Ease of integration with the electronic process systems already existing in the various Brazilian courts.
The Role of the Justice 4.0 Program and the Conecta Initiative
The expansion of Berna to all courts in Brazil is a milestone of the Conecta initiative, which is part of the ambitious Justice 4.0 Program. This program, the result of a partnership between the CNJ and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aims to modernize the Judiciary through collaborative innovation. Conecta functions as a technological incubator, where successful solutions created by a local court, such as the TJGO, are improved and shared with the entire national network.
This “institutional cooperation” approach prevents each court from spending resources developing solutions from scratch for common problems. In addition to Berna, the program has already made other tools available, such as ApoIA, consolidating an intelligence network that strengthens the technological sovereignty of the Brazilian Judiciary.
Expected Impacts for the Future of Justice
The large-scale implementation of AIs like Berna promises to transform the dynamics of the courts in the coming years. Among the expected benefits are:
- Reduction of the Case Load: Faster identification and resolution of repetitive claims.
- Greater Legal Certainty: Standardization of understandings on similar cases identified by the AI.
- Resource Optimization: Reduction of operational costs and better allocation of human capital.
- Access to Justice: A more agile system directly benefits the average citizen, reducing the waiting time for a judgment.
Conclusion and Strategic Relevance
The journey towards Justice 4.0 is a path of no return. The webinar held on March 19, 2026 was not just a technical presentation, but a call to action for all members of the Judiciary to embrace innovation. Berna symbolizes a new era where technology and law go hand in hand to combat abuses and ensure that the scales of justice remain balanced and efficient for all Brazilians.