As one of the core focuses of the firm, VdA‘s dispute resolution team fields a broad practice that covers civil and commercial litigation and arbitration. As well as handling shareholder, M&A, distribution and construction disputes, the practice, noted for its ’in-depth technical knowledge’, experienced a recent increase in instructions concerning collective actions and private enforcement cases. Frederico Gonçalves Pereira is a recognised restructuring and insolvency litigator and leads the team alongside Carla Gonçalves Borges, who is active in commercial arbitration and boasts niche expertise in sports-related disputes. With extensive experience in international arbitration, Mariana França Gouveia is active in cross-border disputes. Miguel Pinto Cardoso is a seasoned arbitrator, particular within the energy, construction and telecoms industries. Joana Neves shines in investor-State disputes, while Matilde Líbano Monteiro is experienced in investment arbitration. Pedro Pires Fernandes has experience before various courts and arbitral tribunals and Catarina Carvalho Cunha advises clients from various Portuguese-speaking countries.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Excellent preparation of all subjects from a technical-legal perspective, showing high scientific and practical quality. Very good study of the dossiers and intervention in an extremely effective discussion and trial hearing. Excellent availability.’
‘Frederico Gonçalves Pereira and Joana Neves combine a personal posture of high sympathy and personal education.’
‘The quality of the team, availability, in-depth technical knowledge and responsiveness make VdA's litigation department a very strong player in this very competitive sector.’
‘Frederico Çonçalves Pereira, Carla Gonçalves Borges and Joana Neves constitute a very well-articulated team with the capacity to respond to questions or topics of great responsibility.’
‘Great experience, planning the procedural strategy, taking into account all possible variables. Frederico Gonçalves Pereira's leadership inspires great confidence and possible tranquility, in a particularly challenging judicial system.’
‘In-depth knowledge of the matters in question and procedural matters. Strategic vision. Close monitoring of the client at all stages of the processes, anticipating needs and always protecting the company's interests.’

Key clients

Banco Comercial Português, S.A (BCP)
CTT – Correios de Portugal, S.A. (CTT)
KERLINK
Carrefour Group Brazil
Indaqua (and the Plainwater Group)
Roche – Sistemas de Diagnósticos, Sociedade Unipessoal, Lda. (Roche)
Fundo de Investimento Imobiliário Fechado Sete Colinas (F7C)
MEO - Serviços de Comunicação e Multimédia, S.A.
Tejo Energia – Produção e Distribuição de Energia Elétrica, S.A. (Tejo Energia) and TrustEnergy B.V. (Trust Energy)
Via Verde Portugal – Gestão de Sistemas Eletrónicos de Cobrança, S.A. (Via Verde)
DEUTSCHE APOTHEKER-UND ÄRZTEBANK EG (ANK)

Work highlights

Representing BCP and CGD in a complex set of disputes against businessman and art collector José Berardo and his corporate group (Berardo Group).
Representing CTT in a private enforcement claim filed by Vasp and Iberomail alleging that the agreement between the AdC and CTT was inadequate to enable a truly competitive postal market, that CTT had infringed antitrust law and caused damages to Vasp and Iberomail.
Representing Kerlink in a civil lawsuit filed by a Portuguese technology company, aiming to claim compensation for damages amounting to circa €21m.

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