Recognition for the movement to be simple, accessible and closer to the citizen. The unprecedented award from the National Council of Justice (CNJ) with the Simple Language Seal 2024 came directly from the hands of the Minister of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), Cármen Lúcia, to the co-manager of the Language Simplification program - SimpleTOC, Roberta Maciel. At the time, she was representing the Court of Justice of the State of Tocantins (TJTO). The event took place during the week in which the International Simple Language Day - October 13th - is celebrated.
The TJTO was one of the 48 courts to receive the certification on Wednesday evening (October 16th), in the White Hall of the Supreme Federal Court, including 23 state courts, 10 labor courts, nine electoral courts, two military courts and two federal courts, as well as the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) and the Federal Justice Council (CJF). Of a total of 750 initiatives analyzed, eight were from the Judiciary of the State of Tocantins, including SimpleTOC.
“For me it's a great joy because it's the consolidation of collaborative work. I'm here representing each and every one of the civil servers who got involved, who dedicated themselves, who trained themselves to learn a bit of simple language and put it into practice by developing tools,” said Roberta.
The co-manager also stressed that the recognition could serve as an incentive for other people, and thus expand the process of simplifying language. “We nominated eight initiatives and I think that this, the recognition of the CNJ, has repercussions internally and can inspire other people to start applying them and, like a work of an ant, we will modify our texts, our verbal and written communications so that they are more understandable to the users of our services,” she concluded.
For the award ceremony, the five axes established by the Ordinance No. 143 of the CNJ, which regulates the Simple Language Seal 2024, were observed: I - simplification of language in documents; II - brevity in communications; III - education, awareness and training; IV - information technology; and V - inter-institutional and social articulation.
Seal
The awarding of the Seal is part of the National Pact of the Judiciary for Simple Language and it was opened by the President of the STF, Justice Luís Roberto Barroso, who celebrated the 92 Brazilian courts joining the initiative.
“We celebrate the adherence of the Brazilian judiciary to uncomplicated and understandable language for citizens. We must adopt practices such as eliminating excessively formal terms, using summarized versions in decisions, among other of the seven rules laid down by the simple language. And let's go for the prize. Because language, as well as being simple, must be clear and brief. Thank you for coming and congratulations to everyone!” said Minister Barroso.
“It is a great honor for the Superior Court of Justice to participate in this moment. The award recognizes the efforts of the institutions, is a symbol of bringing justice closer to the citizen, of giving dignity to those who seek justice and demonstrates our commitment to improve our services. These aspects ensure clarity and transparency in this movement involving the 48 recipients. We all deserve this honor and may the process continue, as we all learn from the practices of each other. Congratulations are in order!” said Justice Maria Thereza de Assis Moura of the STJ.
SimpleTOC and other practices
The SimpleTOC program is part of the Inovassol Innovation Center and it was one of the eight initiatives registered. Created in December of 2023 by the Judiciary of the State of Tocantins, according to the Joint Ordinance No. 16/2023, the program is part of the Goal 7 of the Management of 2023/2025 of Justice Etelvina Maria Sampaio Felipe to improve communication with society through clear, objective and accessible language.
In addition to the SimpleTOC, seven other initiatives were developed and entered for the award:
- Decisions in simple language;
- Redesigning Justice: Visual facilitation and simple language for efficient public services;
- Unraveling the Sustainable Logistics Plan;
- A SimpleTOC in the DLE TJDFT+Simple;
- SimpleTOC Express Network Combo: Workshops and Adaptable Tools on simple language for partner institutions;
- Series of videos by the General Internal Affairs of Justice: “Inside the CGJUS” and “Safe Ground”;
- Series of Videos by the Social Communication Center (Cecom) on “Jury Court”, “Friday Mobile Justice” and “Friday Community Marriage”
Unite to strenghten
Before the awards ceremony, the managers took part in the 1st Meeting for Planning Simple Language in the Judiciary for the year 2025, at the headquarters of the CNJ, whose main objective was to think, reflect and plan for strengthening the Judiciary. Led by Councillor of the CNJ Daiane Nogueira de Lira, the manager stressed that “this is no longer a CNJ project, but the Judiciary of the entire country, the entire justice system, all of us”.
“In less than a year, we can already see the results of the commitment of the CNJ, with all the courts signing up to adopt a simple language, close to the citizen, to everyone, an inclusive language, closer to the vulnerable. The first edition of the seal is designed to reinforce and strengthen the simple language pact. Hence the need to certify the court and encourage and strengthen the entire judiciary. From this first year and this meeting, we will think about what we can improve for next year. If we've done all this in one year, imagine the leap we can make by getting stronger and stronger in terms of simple language within the judiciary,” she said.
The technical meeting heard contributions from managers from all over the country. Roberta Maciel contributed by presenting the work carried out by the SimpleTOC Network, which involves several institutions in the justice system and universities.
“Yesterday we held the SimpleTOC Network event. It was the first meeting of our simple language network and, at the end, many people were excited because we awarded prizes for initiatives that were already underway, and some institutions have already told us that they didn't sign up this year because they didn't know simple language, but that they're going to start and next year they're going to take part in the event with an initiative. So networking is very important for the dissemination of simple language,” said Roberta, who also suggested the creation of a WhatsApp group for sharing/aligning the courts.
Recognition
The Regional Electoral Court of the State of Tocantins (TRE-TO) was the first institution to join the SimpleTOC Network and it has developed an electronic newsletter for board members in simplified language. The project was awarded third place last Tuesday (October 15th), with the SimpleTOC 2024 Award, during the 1st Meeting of the State Plain Language Network of the TJTO. The deputy coordinator of the Innovation Laboratory (Lab-in/TRE-TO), Dourival Alves dos Reis Filho, took part in the Seal ceremony and celebrated:
“The partnership with the TJTO, through the SimpleTOC Network, came at an excellent time because it was a theme that was in vogue, that many people think is a fad, but no, it's here to stay. And coupled with our need to bring quick and simple information to the board member, it came in handy at exactly this time, election year. The results, I can already see, are positive, from the first feedback we've received, which is like a prize for us, because the board members have been able to answer the questions of the voters on their own cell phones quickly, clearly and simply.”
Check out the full list courts certified with the Simple Language Seal.
Get to know the SimpleTOC:
