The Portuguese Bar Association (OA) has announced a new protocol with immigration services aimed at streamlining processes and reducing wait times. This agreement grants attorneys and trainees the right to preferential service and provides designated time slots specifically for legal professionals.
The AIMA services have committed to reporting any instances of unauthorized legal practice to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, with the Bar Association being informed, as detailed in the OA’s statement.
The order explained that this protocol is the culmination of several months of institutional dialogue and fulfills a commitment by the outgoing president and the OA General Council to uphold the dignity of legal practice, defend the rights of its practitioners, and ensure citizens’ full access to legal rights.
Earlier in the month, a group of attorneys working with immigrants gathered outside the AIMA headquarters to protest access difficulties, accusing the organization of violating administrative rules.
Attorney Elaine Linhares, speaking to reporters, mentioned that the protest aimed to end the “restriction on the professional exercise of law” at AIMA.
Linea also noted that there are limited daily tickets available for attorneys in each office. Many legal representatives face obstacles in completing simple administrative procedures, according to the Brazilian lawyer, who has been practicing in Portugal for six years.
At the Lisbon office, where around ten lawyers protested, only ten tickets were allocated daily for lawyers, forcing many to arrive at dawn to secure a spot, as they are often filled long before the office opens at 9:00 AM.
