ARTICLE · 13 JANUARY 2026

International Arbitration In Portugal

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International arbitration in Portugal is governed by the Voluntary Arbitration Act (Law No. 63/2011 of 14 December 2011), which entered into force on 14 March 2012 (the "Arbitration Act").

PortugalLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration

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International arbitration in Portugal is governed by the Voluntary Arbitration Act (Law No. 63/2011 of 14 December 2011), which entered into force on 14 March 2012 (the "Arbitration Act").

The Arbitration Act is largely based on the 2006 version of the 1985 UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration ("UNCITRAL Model Law"), but it also includes provisions that go beyond the Model Law, such as regarding multiparty arbitration (Article 11) and joinder (Article 36). The Arbitration Act applies to both domestic and international arbitration. In particular, it applies to all arbitrations that take place in Portuguese territory, as well as to the recognition and enforcement in Portugal of awards made in arbitrations seated abroad (Article 61).

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