João Massano had threatened José Preto with disciplinary proceedings over his criticisms of the court-appointed lawyer for the main defendant in Operation Marquês, José Sócrates.
Sócrates's lawyer files complaint against head of the Bar Association
Friday, 30 January 2026RSS
Context & Explainers
Operation Marquês (Operação Marquês) is a major criminal investigation opened in 2013 into alleged corruption, money laundering and tax crimes involving high-profile figures, including former prime minister José Sócrates, and it led to arrests in 2014. The case has been one of Portugal's largest anti-corruption probes and has influenced public debate about accountability and the justice system.
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.
