Maria João Melícias authors article on the evolution of private enforcement in Portugal
Maria João Melícias, Co-Head of the Competition, Regulatory and European Union practice area, has authored an article in Competition Law Insight analysing the evolution of private enforcement of competition law in Portugal.
The article highlights the country’s transformation into one of the most attractive jurisdictions in Europe for damages actions arising from competition law infringements, particularly following the implementation of the Damages Directive. In 2024, Portugal stood out as the second largest European forum for class actions, reflecting the exponential growth of this type of litigation.
Among the key factors driving this evolution are:
- An innovative legal framework, including opt-out class actions;
- Strong coordination between public and private enforcement;
- Judicial specialisation and institutional efficiency;
- The growing relevance of third-party funding.
The article also underlines the strategic potential of this framework for companies, which may resort to private enforcement mechanisms to recover losses resulting from anticompetitive practices. It provides a relevant analysis of Portugal’s position within the European context and the future challenges facing this ecosystem.
Read the full article here.
