Raquel Maurício, managing associate at Morais Leitão, argues that digitalisation is an unavoidable goal within the justice system, much like in other areas of public administration. In statements to Jornal de Negócios, the lawyer emphasised that the measures proposed under the 2026 State Budget represent an important step towards the modernisation of the judicial system, provided they are accompanied by effective investment in the training and digital upskilling of professionals in the sector.
“The proposals in this Budget, particularly those aimed at strengthening the electronic processing of cases and promoting dematerialisation, are important not only for procedural speed but also for reinforcing the rights of defence and the right to evidence,” said Raquel Maurício.
The lawyer notes that the technological drive will only deliver real results if accompanied by the digital training of staff and magistrates. “The Government has shown positive signs, such as its commitment to improving the IT infrastructure of justice institutions and to training their staff, but this upskilling must actually take place — otherwise, technology will improve without ensuring effective access for those who rely on the courts,” she added.
Raquel Maurício also highlights the role of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms (ADR), acknowledging their contribution to efficiency and speed, while noting that these mechanisms do not replace the need to continue strengthening the financial and human resources of the courts. Specifically, she referred to the Administrative Arbitration Centre (CAAD) as a good example, as it has helped reduce delays in administrative and tax courts, with an average decision time of around four and a half months.
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