Luís Rosa analyses the new court-appointed lawyer assigned to José Sócrates by the Bar Association. The appointment was decided by the General Council of that association without a draw, a matter which the former prime minister has already contested.
One lawyer appointed without a draw, another on duty, and a power of attorney: how Sócrates ended up with three lawyers in a single day
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.
