The President of the Portuguese Republic expressed his condolences on Wednesday over the passing of Mário Júlio Almeida e Costa, who died at the age of 97. Almeida e Costa, a former Minister of Justice during the Estado Novo, was remembered for his “trail of personal and institutional regard.”
In an official statement released on the Presidency’s website, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa extended “heartfelt condolences” to the family of Mário Júlio Almeida e Costa, who was a distinguished law professor at the University of Coimbra and the Portuguese Catholic University. “He also taught at various other national, European, and Brazilian universities,” the statement noted.
Described as a specialist in the History of Law, Almeida e Costa was noted for his contributions to Private Law and founding several schools that influenced successive generations of students over many decades.
The President highlighted that before the April 25, 1974 revolution, Mário Júlio Almeida e Costa served as Minister of Justice, Deputy, Prosecutor, and President of the Corporate Chamber. He was also Vice-Governor of the Bank of Portugal and a member of the Council of State.
Following the revolution, Almeida e Costa participated in numerous arbitration courts, and his theoretical work greatly influenced the field of Obligation Law.
“He leaves behind a trail of personal and institutional regard, thanks to his uninterrupted academic journey, particularly over the past 50 years,” the statement read.
Mário Júlio de Almeida e Costa’s death was announced by the Faculty of Law at the University of Coimbra in a social media post on Wednesday.
Mário Júlio de Almeida e Costa served as the Minister of Justice from 1967 to 1968 under the government of António de Oliveira Salazar, and again from 1968 to 1973, under the leadership of Marcello Caetano.
