Portugal, Évora Court of Appeal, Decision of 8th June 2017
Rule of Law, access to justice
Tribunal da Relação de Évora
Évora Court of Appeal
613/03.9TBSLV.E1
8th June 2017
PT:TRE:2017:613.03.9TBSLV.E1.2D
Not applicable
Rule of law - Access to justice - Legal fees are too costly for the average citizen
In Portugal, those who go to court will incur in legal administrative court fees. That amount has been considered to be excessive, to the point of making it impossible for the average citizen to enforce its rights.
Article 20 of the Portuguese Constitution.
The Judge concluded that the court fee would reach an amount that would restrict access to justice and thus constitute a violation of the Constitution - article 20.
The court lowered the fee that should be paid by 1/3, taking into account the financial capacity of the applicant.