Brazilian law was predominantly established in the civil law of the Portuguese legal system. Before achieving its independence in 1825, Brazil was a colony ruled by Portugal for a very long time. Since its independence, Brazil was not only immersed in the Portuguese laws and language, but expanded its legal system with adaptation to the influences and facets of additional European countries and their legal systems.
The civil code of Brazil was fashioned after the French legal system in the 19th century. Later, Brazil took on factors of German’s civil laws during the 20th century, and during the 21st century, Brazil included portions of Italian civil law into its legal system. These other civil law elements made Brazil’s law and legal system a composite of diverse civil laws based on the various civil law systems of Europe.
The highest level of law in Brazil is its federal constitution. Regardless of whether at the local, the state, or the federal level, it is mandatory that any new laws passed in Brazil must conform to the regulations laid down in Brazil’s constitution. Brazil’s constitution is the guideline by which the extent of all other Brazilian laws is determined to be valid or not.
In 1930, Brazil established an independent bar association, The Order of Attorneys of Brazil. Every state in Brazil has a regional chapter and national council committee of The Order of Attorneys of Brazil within it. An individual must obtain a bachelor of law degree and be granted admission to Brazil’s bar association and The Order of Attorneys of Brazil in order to practice law in Brazil.
Introducing: Ricardo Tosto de Oliveira Carvalho
In matters of corporate and finance law, Ricardo Tosto de Oliveira Carvalho is a prominent leader. In Sao Paolo, Brazil, Ricardo Tosto graduated from the Mackenzie Presbyterian University, where he achieved a bachelor’s degree in law. After graduating, Carvalho gained a position at a community law firm. Before long, he became well-known in legal circles and quickly achieved a position in one of Brazil’s major law firms. Mr. Ricardo Tosto worked and later left a prominent corporate law firm of Brazil, and established the firm Leite, Tosto e Barros Attorneys with two companion attorneys. The firm rapidly grew, and today is one of the biggest and most significant law firms in Brazil.
Ricardo has been practicing law for over 20 years. The specialties of Tosto’s law firm are:
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Banking and Business Law
• Corporate Law
• Civil Litigation
Tosto is a founder of the Brazilian Institute for Electors and Party Law Research and is judicially active. Partners of his firm rate him an excellent mentor and helpful guide.