Brazil and Portugal Adopt New Legal and Lobbying Laws

Brazil enacted Law No. 15.472, which gives attorney fees the same privileged status as labor claims in bankruptcy, judicial recovery and civil insolvency proceedings. The law, effective immediately, treats fee claims as alimentary credits, making them senior to other creditors and allowing the fee‑determining judgment or contract to serve as an enforceable title. OAB SC president Juliano Mandelli hailed the change as a historic protection for lawyers.

Portugal’s Law No. 5‑A/2026 on the representation of interests entered into force on 27 July 2026, establishing mandatory registration of meetings between public bodies and private interest representatives. Until a digital Transparency Register is operational on 1 January 2027, agencies must record such interactions manually and publish the details, aiming to increase transparency and public trust in lobbying activities.