The decision by the panel of judges presided over by Susana Seca came after lawyers for other defendants in the Operation Marquês case questioned the legitimacy of the Bar Association's General Council to appoint a defence attorney for the former government official.
Court requests clarification from the Bar Association regarding the appointment of Sócrates' new lawyer
Tuesday, 17 March 2026RSS
Context & Explainers
The Bar Association (Ordem dos Advogados) is the professional body that regulates lawyers in Portugal, manages ethics and professional registration, and organises legal aid and court-appointed defence. The association can set up permanent teams of court-appointed lawyers if it judges the current system inadequate, which is why the Ministry of Justice said it would not object to such a move.
