Government seeks fines for delaying court cases
The government has sent a bill to Parliament that would permit judges to fine up to roughly €10,200 those judged to have intentionally delayed proceedings, following a working‑group recommendation and after approval at the Council of Ministers in December. The proposal also raises the prospect of disciplinary inquiries for lawyers found to have used dilatory tactics twice in the same case, according to multiple reports. Litigants and legal professionals should follow the parliamentary process — the change could speed some cases but may also alter litigation strategy and professional risk.
The Código de Processo Penal (criminal procedure code) is Portugal’s set of laws that govern criminal investigations, trials and procedural rules. A recent bill adopting recommendations from a working group would introduce penalties — including fines up to €10,200 — aimed at discouraging unjustified delays in judicial proceedings.
An inquérito disciplinar (disciplinary inquiry) is a formal internal investigation into a public servant’s or professional’s conduct that can lead to sanctions such as warnings, fines, suspension or dismissal. In the current judicial reform context it is being highlighted as a mechanism to address delays in court proceedings alongside proposed financial penalties.
