Civil and Contract Law
Legal support for individuals and businesses on everyday legal matters: contracts, civil liability, inheritance and estate division.
Matters the office handles
Contracts
Drafting and review of civil contracts, promissory contracts and payment agreements.
Breach of contract
Formal notices, termination, damages and penalty clauses.
Civil liability
Claims for pecuniary and non-pecuniary damage.
Inheritance
Wills, declaration of heirs, division of estates and inventory proceedings.
Individuals and families, and businesses in their civil relations with customers, suppliers, public bodies or third parties.
Handled by the lawyers of ME&JBA
Each matter is personally handled by a lawyer of the office assigned to it, from the initial analysis of the facts and documents to its conclusion. Before work begins, the client is informed of the scope of the work, the expected steps and the criteria for setting fees.
Common questions on Civil and Contract Law
When does a damages claim become time-barred?
For non-contractual civil liability, Article 498 of the Civil Code generally sets a three-year period from the date on which the injured party became aware of their right. The ordinary limitation period, which applies where no special period exists, is twenty years (Article 309).
What is a declaration of heirs?
It is the act that officially identifies the heirs of a deceased person. It can be done by deed at a notary's office or at a civil registry office, based on the declarations of the estate administrator (cabeça de casal) and witnesses, and is usually required to operate bank accounts, register assets in the heirs' names or sell assets of the estate.
How is an estate divided?
If all heirs agree, the estate can be divided out of court, by public deed or authenticated private document. Where there is no agreement, or in other cases provided by law, an inventory proceeding is used, which may take place before a notary or in court.
General information, based on the legislation in force on 17.10.2026. Its application to a specific situation depends on the facts and requires its own legal analysis.