Practices of Portuguese law firms
Portuguese law firms offer a range of legal services and practices covering various areas of law. Large and medium-sized firms have more extensive practices, while small firms tend to limit the scope of their engagements.
Here are some of the main types of practices you may find in a Portuguese law firm:
1. Corporate Law: firms assist clients in setting up businesses and corporations, drafting and negotiating contracts, handling mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring, and other matters related to the legal aspects of corporate activities.
2. Litigation and Dispute Resolution: These practices involve representing clients in court cases, arbitration, and other forms of alternative dispute resolution. Portuguese law firms represent clients in various areas of litigation, such as civil litigation, commercial litigation, labour litigation, and administrative litigation.
3. Real Estate Law: Real estate law practices in Portuguese law firms deal with transactions related to the purchase, sale, leasing, and development of real estate properties, as well as issues related to land use and zoning regulations.
4. Tax Law: These practices involve advising clients on Portuguese tax laws and regulations, preparing tax returns, and representing clients in tax disputes with authorities.
5. Intellectual Property Law: These practices protect clients’ intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. Portuguese law firms assist clients in registering and protecting their intellectual property rights and handling infringement issues.
6. Banking and Finance Law: Portuguese law firms assist clients in navigating financial regulations, banking laws, and other financial transactions such as loans, debt securities, and project finance.
7. Employment Law: These practices involve advising clients on labour and employment laws and regulations, including employment contracts, collective bargaining, and dispute resolution.
8. Energy and Environmental Law: Portuguese law firms handle legal matters related to energy and environmental issues, such as renewable energy projects, energy regulation, and environmental compliance.
9. Public Law: This area of practice deals with the legal framework governing the relationship between the government and its citizens and the relationship between different government bodies. Public law practices may include administrative, constitutional, and regulatory law practices.
10. Healthcare Law: Healthcare law practices focus on the legal issues affecting healthcare providers, such as hospitals, clinics, and physicians. They may advise on regulatory compliance, medical malpractice, and healthcare transactions.
11. Insurance Law: Insurance law practices deal with the legal issues arising from insurance policies and claims. They may advise clients on insurance contracts, coverage disputes, and regulatory compliance.
12. Family Law: Family law practices deal with legal matters related to family relationships, such as divorce, child custody, adoption, and domestic violence.
13. Criminal Law: Criminal law practices involve representing clients accused of criminal offences, such as theft, assault, and drug crimes. They may also provide legal assistance to victims of crimes.
14. Immigration Law: Immigration law practices assist clients with immigration-related issues, such as obtaining visas, work permits, and residency permits. They may also represent clients in immigration disputes and deportation proceedings.
15. Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Law: These practices involve advising clients on legal issues related to data privacy and cybersecurity, including compliance with data protection laws and regulations, cybersecurity breaches, and data breaches.
16. Private Equity and Venture Capital Law: Private equity and venture capital practices assist clients in financing transactions involving private equity and venture capital firms, including mergers, acquisitions, and investments.
Overall, the legal services market in Portugal offers a wide range of legal services to clients, covering many different areas of law, suitable for different budgets and varying degrees of complexity.
The standard hourly rate of Portuguese lawyers can vary depending on various factors, such as the lawyer’s level of experience, the case’s complexity, and the law firm’s location. This aspect should be considered when selecting a law firm in Portugal.
According to a 2018 survey conducted by the Portuguese Bar Association, the national average hourly rate for lawyers in Portugal at the time ranged from €125 to €250. Past reports from firms show that the hourly rates for partners at top-tier law firms in Lisbon and Porto can vary from €350 to €500, while associates and junior lawyers can charge hourly rates of €100 to €300.
Overall, the cost of legal services in Portugal is generally lower compared to other European countries such as the UK, Spain, France or Germany, but it can still be significant, especially for complex cases or specialized services. However, in comparison to the USA, the cost is significantly lower.
It’s important to note that the hourly rates for Portuguese lawyers can vary significantly depending on various factors such as experience, location, type of practice, urgency, and importance of the matter for the client. Lawyers usually charge higher rates for specialized cross-border services, services provided in foreign languages or to clients with high net worth.
Clients should always discuss the fees and payment arrangements with their lawyers upfront.
Disclaimer
This publication or document contains general information and is not intended to be comprehensive nor to provide legal or tax advice or services. It should not be acted on or relied upon or used as a basis for any decision or action that may affect you or your business. Professional legal advice should be requested for specific cases. We do not undertake any continuing obligation to advise on future legal amendments, or of the impact on the conclusions herein. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. The contents of this publication or document may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without the express consent of GFDL Advogados.
