The equality principle is not precise enough; only practical application shows its specific content and utility. Thus, the social consequences must be considered. We intend to examine critically certain decisions of the Brazilian Supreme Court relating to equality and to highlight the consequential analysis undertaken. A more particular approach was chosen instead of a conceptual one, and two decisions were selected on the basis of content (benefits and its impact on poor people) and focus (evaluation of economic consequences). Both decisions were submitted to a critical evaluation. We verified how the principle of equality is effectively applied by the court and how the socioeconomic consequences of the possible answers were considered. While interpreting equality and worrying about the consequences of decisions, the Brazilian Supreme Court makes social justice only when it holds a wider distribution of rights and turns to the most needy.
equality; case law; social consequences; Brazilian Supreme Court