Substitute court‑appointed lawyers for mega‑trials
ECO reports the Bar Association proposed that complex, high‑profile trials will now have substitute court‑appointed lawyers — effectively assigning two appointed defenders as backups. The measure was presented after issues in recent high-profile cases and is intended to ensure continuous legal representation during lengthy proceedings. Defendants and legal observers should note possible changes in courtroom procedure and representation; the Bar Association (Ordem dos Advogados) is leading the proposal.
The Ordem dos Advogados (Bar Association) is Portugal’s professional body for lawyers, responsible for regulating legal ethics, licensing and discipline and for representing the profession in public debates. Its proposal to change how substitute counsel are appointed in complex trials matters because the Bar’s views influence courtroom procedures, standards of defence and legal reform discussions.
A court‑appointed lawyer is an attorney the court assigns to represent someone who cannot afford private counsel, typically under Portugal’s legal aid system (assistência judiciária). These lawyers provide defence in criminal and other eligible cases, and if the defendant meets the income and eligibility rules the state pays the lawyer’s fees.
The proceedings will not stop because the magistrate has no lawyers. That cannot happen
João Massano, president of the Bar Association, explains why the trial of José Sócrates is not at risk of stopping, even after the resignation of lawyer José Preto.
Changes to the law aimed at high-profile media cases will also affect ordinary citizens
The Portuguese Bar Association is preparing a counter-proposal to the Government's legislative initiative on confiscation of assets.
Lawyers to present counterproposals to Parliament to speed up the justice system
The bar association president says he believes the €743,000 budget to celebrate the professional body's centenary will not be fully spent.
No One Is Left Alone
The Portuguese Bar Association marks a century of an irreplaceable mission: being there when power moves in on those without a voice.
Bar Association to offer psychological support to all lawyers from January
The Bar Association will begin offering free psychological support to all lawyers in January, extending nationwide a project that previously existed only in the Lisbon region, the professional association announced today.
Bar Association to provide free psychological support to lawyers
From January, the Portuguese Bar Association (OA) will make free psychological support available to all Portuguese lawyers. The measure will be implemented by hiring a team of professional psychologists. “Law practice is a profession marked by rigour, responsibility and commitment. But it is, above all, made up of people. People who ...”
