This paper uses Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to measure efficiency in Brazilian State Courts. Results show that relative efficiency varies substantially across the states. There is a group of consistent top performers, as well as a group of consistent poor performers. Yet, the biggest problem seems to be with a group of courts presenting very unstable results, whichmight indicate deficient data collection and/ormeasurement. It may also be inferred from the results that the lack of resources is not the main reason for inefficiency, since efficiency could be attained without changing the level of inputs employed.
Efficiency; Courts; DEA