# Portugal debates judicial reforms and 90-day deadlines

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/portugal-judiciary-reform-efforts
> Updated: 2026-08-11T05:46:23.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 3.

Portugal’s courts continue their summer-vacation schedule, with judges rotating weekly to handle urgent matters such as custody hearings and parole reviews while non-urgent cases are paused. Critics note that while the rotation maintains essential services, the suspension of deadlines can create delays for litigants who face monetary penalties for late filings.

Parallel to these operational cycles, a debate continues regarding judicial efficiency. A study commissioned by the Confederation of Portuguese Business (CIP) and the Instituto Adelino da Costa, authored by economists Nuno Palma and Nobel laureate James A. Robinson, argues that all administrative and fiscal court cases should receive a decision within 90 days to remove uncertainties for investment. CIP president Armindo Monteiro has supported this view, describing the reforms as an investment in the country’s economic potential.

The Council Superior of Administrative and Fiscal Courts (CSTAF) has criticized the 90-day proposal, warning it could breach procedural guarantees, the right to a fair defense, and the separation of powers. CSTAF points to current average resolution times—511 days for administrative cases, 711 days for fiscal cases, and 412 days for judicial cases—as evidence that the target might necessitate suppressing legal safeguards.

In response to backlogs, the government has submitted Law No. 98/XVII to the Assembly of the Republic. This legislative proposal seeks to grant CSTAF increased authority to redistribute cases and judges to balance workloads. The bill also proposes creating specialized courts for immigration and international protection, setting annual case limits for judges, and establishing mechanisms to prioritize long-stagnant processes and tax arbitration.

## Claims

- A study commissioned by CIP and IDL proposes that all administrative and fiscal court cases in Portugal be decided within 90 days. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The study’s authors are Nuno Palma, professor at the University of Manchester, and James A. Robinson, Nobel‑prize‑winning economist at the University of Chicago. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The study proposes weekly anonymised reporting of judges’ productivity to the President of the Republic. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The average resolution time for administrative cases in Portugal was 511 days at the end of 2024. (single source)
- The average resolution time for fiscal cases in Portugal was 711 days at the end of 2024. (single source)
- The average resolution time for judicial cases in Portugal was 412 days at the end of 2024. (single source)
- CIP president Armindo Monteiro says the slow justice system is a major obstacle to Portugal’s economic growth. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-11: Portugal proposes judicial reforms to reduce court backlogs

The Portuguese government has proposed a law to reduce administrative and tax court backlogs by increasing the powers of the Superior Council to redistribute cases and creating specialized immigration courts.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portugal-proposes-judicial-reforms-to-reduce-court-backlogs

### 2026-07-30: Portugal proposes 90‑day deadline for court decisions in CIP‑backed reform

A CIP‑backed study by Nuno Palma and Nobel winner James A. Robinson urges Portugal to decide all administrative and fiscal court cases within 90 days, citing current delays of 511‑711 days. The CSTAF warns the,

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portugal-proposes-90day-deadline-for-all-court-decisions-to-boost-economy

### 2026-07-15: Portuguese courts keep operating during summer judicial vacations

Portugal’s courts operate on rotating shifts during the July‑August judicial vacation, keeping urgent cases open while non‑urgent matters pause; filing deadlines still run, with fines for late submissions.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portuguese-courts-keep-operating-during-summer-judicial-vacations

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Cite as: Portugal debates judicial reforms and 90-day deadlines. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/portugal-judiciary-reform-efforts