Measuring the Efficiency of Brazilian Courts from 2006 to 2008: What Do the Numbers Tell Us?

Abstract

This paper uses a linear optimization method called Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to measure the efficiency of Brazilian State Courts during the years of 2006 to 2008. Our results show that relative efficiency varies substantially across the states. There is a group of courts that consistently top performs in the sample. On the other hand, there is a group of consistent poor performers, as well a group of average performers. Yet, the biggest problem seems to be with a group of State Courts with very unstable results, which might indicate serious problems in data collection and/or measurement. DEA also shows that the lack of resources should not be pointed as the main reason for inefficiency, since inefficient courts could improve the number of adjudications without changing the level of resources employed.