Commentary on Judgment No. 10957 of 2024: Settlement of Legal Costs in Social Security Disputes

Judgment No. 10957 of April 23, 2024, issued by the Court of Cassation, addresses a crucial issue in the context of social security disputes: the settlement of legal costs. In particular, the Court rules on the limit of the value of the claim presented in court, referencing Article 152 of the implementing provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure. This judgment offers interesting insights into understanding procedural dynamics and their practical application.

The Fundamental Principles of the Judgment

The Court establishes that the limit of the value of the claim presented, according to Article 152 of the implementing provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure, has a general and comprehensive scope. This principle is fundamental to understanding that, even in the presence of a declaration of indeterminate value of the case, the limit cannot be exceeded. The Court specifies that such indeterminacy should not be confused with the possibility of quantifying the claim in monetary terms.

Settlement of legal costs - Art. 152 of the implementing provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure - Limit of the value of the claim presented - General and comprehensive scope - Existence - Declaration of indeterminate value of the case - Logically prejudicial assessments to the determination of the claim - Irrelevance - Foundation. Regarding the settlement of legal costs in proceedings for social security or welfare benefits, the limit of the value of the claim presented established by Article 152 has a general and comprehensive scope and cannot be exceeded by the declaration regarding the indeterminate value of the case (due to the indispensable prejudicial assessment of the health requirement), both because such declaration is always subject to review, and because indeterminacy presupposes the objective impossibility of translating the claim into monetary terms (a situation that is not found if it is possible to arrive at a reliable quantification), and because the recognition of the right to a social security benefit always has, as an indispensable logical prerequisite, the ascertainment of its constitutive elements.

Practical Implications of the Judgment

This judgment has significant practical implications for legal professionals. In fact, it clarifies that the ascertainment of health requirements is indispensable and must precede any economic assessment of the benefit. Below are some key points:

  • The value limit established by Article 152 is of a general nature and applies to all social security benefits.
  • The declaration of indeterminate value does not exempt from compliance with the criteria for the settlement of costs.
  • It is necessary to have a logical ascertainment of the requirements in order to proceed with the settlement of costs.

Conclusions

Judgment No. 10957 of 2024 represents an important step forward in the regulatory clarity regarding the settlement of legal costs in social security disputes. It emphasizes the importance of a rigorous approach in ascertaining the necessary conditions for the recognition of benefits. This decision not only harmonizes the regulatory framework but also provides a useful reference for lawyers and professionals working in the social security sector, promoting a more transparent and fair management of legal costs.

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