We are a team of dedicated legal professional lawyers committed to providing expert advice and representation for individuals and businesses in Portugal. Whether you are a foreign investor looking to navigate the complex legal system of the country, or a resident in need of legal assistance, we are here to help. Our team has extensive experience in a variety of legal areas, including real estate, corporate law, tax law, and more. We strive to provide personalized and efficient legal services, always keeping the needs of our clients at the forefront of our work.
Topics covered by our team of lawyers
Real estate law, includes issues related to the buying, selling, leasing, and development of real estate properties.
Corporate law, involves the formation, management, and dissolution of companies, as well as the regulation of corporate governance.
Tax law, covers the laws and regulations related to the assessment and collection of taxes, including income tax, property tax, and sales tax.
Employment law, deals with issues related to the relationship between employers and employees, including hiring, firing, wages, benefits, and discrimination.
Family law, covers legal issues related to family relationships, such as divorce, child custody, adoption, and domestic violence.
Estate planning, involves creating a plan for the distribution of one’s assets after death, including wills, trusts, and powers of attorney.
Intellectual property law, involves the protection of creative works, such as trademarks, copyrights, and patents.
Criminal law, covers the laws and punishments related to criminal offenses, including crimes against persons, property, and the state.
Environmental law, involves the regulation of activities that have an impact on the environment, such as pollution, waste management, and resource conservation.
Get to know the basics of law in Portugal
The law in Portugal is simple to understand, bureaucratic to enforce. In Portugal, the legal system is based on the ancient Napoleonic Code and is currently influenced by both civil law and common law traditions, divided into three branches: judicial, executive, and legislative.
The Legal System in Portugal
Judicial
The judicial branch of the legal system in Portugal is divided into:
- the Supreme Court, is the highest court in the country and is responsible for hearing appeals from lower courts, as well as reviewing decisions made by the Court of Appeals.
- the Court of Appeals, responsible for hearing appeals from lower courts, including the district courts and the courts of first instance.
- the lower courts, including the district courts and the courts of first instance, are responsible for hearing cases at the local level and making decisions based on the laws of Portugal.
Executive
The executive branch is responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the laws and policies established by the country’s legislative branch. It is made up of several government agencies and departments, including the Prime Minister’s office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of the Interior. The President of the Republic, who is elected by the Portuguese people, is the head of the executive branch and serves as the country’s chief of state. The Prime Minister, who is appointed by the President, is the head of government and is responsible for leading the executive branch and implementing the policies of the country. The government of Portugal is a unitary parliamentary democracy, meaning that the Prime Minister and the Cabinet hold executive power and are accountable to the parliament.
Executive Department heads
- Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the President of the Portuguese Republic,
- António Costa, the Prime Minister of Portugal,
- Mariana Vieira da Silva, head of Prime Minister’s office,
- Augusto Santos Silva, head the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
- Francisca van Dunem, head of the Ministry of Justice,
- Eduardo Cabrita, head of the Ministry of the Interior.
In the Portuguese legal system, the police are a part of the executive branch. The executive branch is responsible for enforcing the laws and regulations that are created by the legislative branch (which consists of the Parliament) and interpreted by the judicial branch (which consists of the courts). The police are responsible for maintaining public order and safety, and they have the authority to investigate and prosecute crimes. The head of the police force in Portugal is the National Director of the Public Security Police, who reports to the Minister of Internal Administration (a member of the Cabinet). The police are also responsible for enforcing traffic laws and regulating the use of public roads.
Legislative
The legislative branch is a branch of government that is responsible for creating, modifying, and interpreting laws. It is one of the three branches of government, along with the executive and judicial branches. In Portugal, the legislative branch is represented by the Portuguese parliament, which is made up of two chambers: the Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da República) and the Senate (Senado). The Assembly of the Republic is the lower house of parliament and is composed of 230 members, elected by universal suffrage for a four-year term view the Portugal Parlamento website. The Senate is the upper house of parliament and is composed of 81 members, elected by universal suffrage for an eight-year term. The president of the Assembly of the Republic and the president of the Senate are elected by their respective chambers. The parliament is responsible for making and amending laws, approving the government’s budget, and scrutinizing the government’s actions.
- Augusto Santos Silva, President of the Republic Assembleia da República since 29 March 2022
Legal
The legal branch of the Portuguese system refers to the legal system as a whole, is responsible for the interpretation and application of laws. It includes the courts, which are responsible for hearing cases and rendering decisions based on the laws of the country, and the legal profession, which includes lawyers, judges, and other legal professionals who work within the courts and other legal institutions. The legal branch is an important part of the Portuguese legal system, as it plays a key role in ensuring that the laws of the country are followed and applied fairly and consistently.
The legal system in Portugal has a significant impact on businesses and individuals. It sets out the rules and regulations that must be followed in order to operate legally in the country. It also provides a framework for resolving disputes and settling legal issues. Understanding the legal system in Portugal is important for businesses and individuals who want to operate and live in the country.
Need expert legal guidance in Portugal? Our team of highly skilled attorneys specializes in various areas of law, including real estate, corporate law, and tax law, are here to help you navigate the complexities of the legal system and achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
We pride ourselves on providing personalized and efficient legal services, always putting the needs of our clients first. Don’t hesitate, contact us today and let us help you protect your rights and interests.
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