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
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.
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.
