Practice Areas

Public Law

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We act for public and private bodies in all areas of public law. However, we have a particular focus on the fields of public procurement and public contracts, of regulatory, administrative, and constitutional litigation, of the environment, and of construction.

Our Public Law team has worked on the most important infrastructure-related transactions carried out in Portugal and in Portuguese-speaking countries, and we have solid experience in arbitration and in drafting legal opinions.

We support our clients in setting up and negotiating operations, and throughout the lifetime of their contracts. The support provided by our team also extends to disputes, whether in administrative litigation, in constitutional litigation, or in domestic and international arbitration cases. In cases where we do not directly represent the parties, we are called on to provide legal opinions or to act as arbitrator. This demand reflects the strong academic background of our team.

We play an important role in the main concession and privatisation operations, and in the most significant awards of public works contracts and public-private partnerships. We advise private companies and public decision-makers such as governments, institutes, state companies and local authorities.

Our team has handled international infrastructure projects, particularly in Angola, Mozambique, Senegal, Cape Verde, Guinea and São Tomé and Príncipe. In these projects, we have acted for Portuguese and international companies in different types of procurement and in a wide range of areas such as transport, energy, water, and sanitation.

In the construction segment, we have assisted public bodies in drafting procedural programmes, contractual specifications, and other tender documents. We have also advised private promoters and, in particular, our team has consolidated experience in international construction contracts, including under the FIDIC framework.

We keep a close track of market developments and the diversification of legal structures. This approach enables us to act effectively in planning and restructuring higher education institutions, and in litigation in regulated sectors such as finance, pharmaceuticals, energy, and transport. We are also specialists in dealing with the Court of Auditors and the Constitutional Court.

Specialisations

Construção
The environment
Economic regulation
Financial public law and the Court of Auditors
PPPs, concessions, infrastructures and projects
Planning
Public procurement and administrative contracts
Administrative and constitutional litigation
They know our business - that’s their value. They are very good on arbitration and administrative law, and have a very good team. On the one hand, they know the law and our business, but they are also very proficient, very proactive and client-orientated. I’d rather not speak about improvements - they are well as they are.
Other Awards
2024 Who's Who Legal - Client Choice - Public Procurement Leading
2021 Forty under 40
2021 Forty under 40
Chambers Europe
2024 Porto Recommended Tier 2
2024 Public & Administrative Law Recommended Tier 2
2023 Public & Administrative Law Recommended Tier 2
2023 Porto Recommended Tier 2
2022 Porto Recommended Tier 2
2022 Public & Administrative Law Recommended Tier 3
2021 Porto Recommended Tier 1

"Outstanding full-service outfit equipped to provide corporate, tax and employment advice, further to advice on administrative law and representation in disputes. Active in cross-border M&A and private equity transactions. Has a diverse client portfolio covering both domestic and multinational companies from an array of sectors such as retail, technology and energy."

2021 Public & Administrative Law Recommended Tier 3

"The team is known for maintains a strong presence in the market, able to provide comprehensive advice through its substantial team. Notable practice in concession agreements, public tenders and public procurement procedures"

2020 Public & Administrative Law Recommended Tier 2

"The team is known for maintains a strong presence in the market, able to provide comprehensive advice through its substantial team. Notable practice in concession agreements, public tenders and public procurement procedures"

2020 Porto Recommended Tier 1

"Outstanding full-service outfit equipped to provide corporate, tax and employment advice, further to advice on administrative law and representation in disputes. Active in cross-border M&A and private equity transactions. Has a diverse client portfolio covering both domestic and multinational companies from an array of sectors such as retail, technology and energy."

2019 Public & Administrative Law Recommended Tier 2

"Clients report that the department's "degree of dedication to the customer is impressive and also underline team members' "in-depth knowledge of the applicable legislation and full understanding of the procedures.""

2018 Public & Administrative Law Recommended Tier 2

"The team maintains a strong presence in the market, able to provide comprehensive advice with its substantial team. Notable practice in concession agreements and public tenders."

2017 Public & Administrative Law Recommended Tier 2

"Their knowledge in public concessions is fundamental. Also the focus and experience shown are excellent assets that give confidence to the client."

Chambers Global
2024 Projects Recommended Tier 2
The Legal 500
2024 Public Law Recommended Tier 2
2024 Oporto Market Recommended Tier 2
2023 Public Law Recommended Tier 2
2022 Oporto Market Recommended Tier 2
2022 Public Law Recommended Tier 2
2021 Oporto Market Recommended Tier 1
2021 Public Law Recommended Tier 1
2020 Oporto Market Recommended Tier 1
2020 Public Law Recommended Tier 1
2019 Public Law Recommended Tier 1
2019 Oporto Market Recommended Tier 1
2018 Public Law Recommended Tier 1
2017 Public Law Recommended Tier 1
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