Latest news and stories about public defence in Portugal for expats and residents.
Trials considered complex will, as alternates, have two court-appointed lawyers. The idea was put forward in recent days by the Bar Association (Ordem dos Advogados). According to João Massano, the proposal is being worked on with the Superior Council of the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice. In a first phase, it would cover the four mega-trials in the district of ...
The Bar president explained that, for the solution to be adopted, the approval of the Government and of the Institute for Financial Management and Justice Equipment is required.
They would be 'substitute' lawyers prepared to take over the defence immediately when an accused person's legal representative renounces their mandate, as has happened in the Marquês case.
The Bar Association and the Superior Council of the Judiciary are moving ahead with a 'task force' to prevent trials from dragging out. A pool of court-appointed defence lawyers will include 2 to 3 people per case.
