Trials deemed complex will now have, as substitutes, two court‑appointed lawyers. The idea was put forward by the Bar Association (Ordem dos Advogados, OA) and advanced to Renascença. The president of the Bar Association says that the recent episodes in the Marquês case were the starting point for this “extraordinary measure”. João Massano believes that the issue ...
Major trials will have substitute court‑appointed lawyers
Sunday, 18 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.
