State Courts

Arbitration is supported in Portugal by a network of state courts. Among other matters, the assistance from local courts includes the appointement of arbitrators and decisions on challenge to arbitrators, decisions on arbitrators’ fees, grant of interim relief, set aside, recognition and enforcement of awards.

The matters related to the appointment and challenge of arbitrators, arbitrators’ fees, appeal and setting aside of the award, as well as the recognition of foreign arbitral awards are decided by the Court of Appeal (“Tribunal da Relação”), subject to revision before the Supreme Court of Justice (“Supremo Tribunal de Justiça”). All other matters are decided by the courts of first instance (“Tribunais de Comarca”).