This is the heroic moment a judge saved a choking lawyer by performing the Heimlich manoeuvre during a court hearing in Brazil.

Footage from the courtroom shows the lawyer, seated near the door, suddenly beginning to choke and raising his hand to signal distress at the Regional Labour Court (TRT-BA) in Salvador, Bahia.

As an attendee offers him a glass of water, the lawyer is clearly unable to speak or breathe properly.

Judge Danilo Goncalves Gaspar quickly steps in, asking the lawyer if he is still choking before moving behind him to administer two quick, forceful abdominal thrusts using the Heimlich technique.

The manoeuvre successfully dislodges the obstruction, and the lawyer is later seen shaking hands with the judge and confirming he feels better.

Court attendees appeared visibly concerned during the incident, but the atmosphere eased following the successful intervention on Tuesday, August 5.

Judge Goncalves later said: 'We learn these things, but I never imagined I'd have to put them into practice. That's what we're here for.'

The Heimlich manoeuvre, also known as abdominal thrusts, is a first-aid technique used to help someone choking due to a foreign object obstructing their airway. It is designed to expel the object by creating pressure in the abdomen.