Some problems need solving. Others need fighting. All require creativity and experience.
Dispute resolution is not an area VCA moved into, it is where the firm began. It was founded by lawyers who believed that effective courtroom advocacy and the creative thinking that prevents disputes from ever reaching it are among the most demanding and consequential things a lawyer can do.
That conviction has not changed. More than two decades later, our dispute resolution practice remains one of the firm’s strongest pillars, consistently recognised by leading international legal directories and trusted by some of Portugal’s largest institutions and most sophisticated clients.
Two angles. One team.
Our dispute resolution practice spans two broad areas of work, which, while distinct, are handled by a single, integrated team with the depth and versatility to operate across both.
The first covers civil, administrative, criminal, and family disputes, matters that are often personal, high-stakes, and require both legal rigour and human sensitivity. The second focuses on commercial and business disputes, including commercial litigation, consumer matters, credit recovery, labour disputes, and maritime litigation.
This breadth is deliberate. Disputes rarely fall into neat categories, and clients, whether individuals or institutions, are best served by a team that sees the full picture, not just the immediate legal issue.
Before the courtroom
Some of our most valuable work happens before a dispute formally arises. We work closely with clients at the pre-litigation stage, identifying risks, managing exposure, and finding solutions that avoid the cost and uncertainty of proceedings wherever possible.
When litigation is the right course, we pursue it with clarity and strategic focus. When it is not, we say so.
Recognised, consistently
VCA’s dispute resolution team has been recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners for several consecutive years, reflecting not a single outcome, but sustained excellence over time. In this field, consistency matters.
A note on insolvency
VCA has experience in insolvency and business recovery, advising on restructurings, creditor negotiations, and insolvency proceedings. Given its specialised nature, this work is presented as a separate practice.
