Sérvulo & Associados, a key reference in Portugal for sophisticated public law matters, is widely recognised for its expertise in advising both public and private entities on regulatory, administrative and constitutional issues across the education, transport, infrastructure, energy, and environmental sectors. The team is co-led by Rui Medeiros, who advises on public contracts, PPPs, and regulatory issues; João Amaral e Almeida, a key contact for public procurement in the transport and infrastructure spaces; Mark Kirkby, who focuses on concession renegotiations and PPPs; and Francisca Mendes da Costa and Pedro Fernández Sánchez, who bring deep experience in public procurement and large-scale infrastructure projects. Duarte Rodrigues Silva is noted for his expertise in advising public and private clients on public contracts.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Technical competence of all professionals, extraordinarily easy communication, and timely and clear responses.’
  • ‘Undeniable and absolute quality of the services provided. Deep knowledge of the matters that arise and are the subject of analysis and assessment. Extremely professional, competent, and innovative team.’
  • ‘Technical capacity and availability of excellence, without equal. Extreme speed, efficiency, and cordiality.’
  • ‘I distinguish Francisca Mendes da Costa and Jorge Faria Lopes for their deep technical knowledge.’
  • ‘Available team with great knowledge of public procurement matters and capable of presenting solutions.’
  • ‘Excellent team in technical terms, very quick to respond and supportive.’

Key clients

  • Arbitration – The Portuguese State
  • EGF
  • ANACOM
  • Metropolitano de Lisboa, E.P.E.
  • Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica, I.P. (INEM)
  • Portuguese State (represented by IMT – Instituto dos Transportes e Mobilidade, I.P.)
  • Municipality of Ponte de Sor
  • Intermunicipal Community of Alto Alentejo Region (CIM Alto Alentejo)
  • Sociedade Ponta do Oeste (SPDO)
  • Ossian Offshore Wind Farm Limited
  • Government of Cabo Verde
  • AFAP - Fiduciary Agency for Project Administration / Government of São Tomé and Príncipe

Work highlights

Represented the Portuguese State in arbitration proceedings initiated by ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal concerning a €300m compensation claim related to the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on airport operations.
Advised INEM on the pre-contractual process and implementation of helicopter leasing and related operational service contracts for emergency medical operations, with a total value of €77.5m.
Represented the Portuguese State, through the Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes, I.P., in four arbitration proceedings initiated by motorway concessionaires seeking €260m in compensation for the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on motorway traffic between 2020 and 2022.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame

The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.

Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Francisca Mendes da Costa
Francisca Mendes da Costa
Next Generation Partners

Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

Rui Medeiros; João Amaral e Almeida; Mark Kirkby; Francisca Mendes da Costa; Pedro Fernández Sánchez

Other key lawyers

Duarte Rodrigues Silva; Henrique Rodrigues da Silva; Jorge Faria Lopes