VdA
About
Managing Partner: Paula Gomes Freire
Number of partners: 56
Number of lawyers: 300+
Team: 470+
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Firm Overview:
With over 46 years of experience, Vieira de Almeida (VdA) is an international law firm noted for top-quality legal advice and cutting-edge innovation. A profound business know-how coupled with a highly specialised cross-sector legal practice enable the firm to effectively meet the increasingly complex challenges faced by clients. VdA offers robust solutions based on consistent standards of excellence, ethics and professionalism, and is acknowledged as a leading provider of legal services by the most reputed professional organisations, international publications and research institutions. VdA has consistently and consecutively received the industry’s most prestigious awards and nominations.
Through VdA Legal Partners clients have access to a wide sectorial coverage and a team of lawyers across 7 jurisdictions: Portugal, Angola, Cabo Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Sao Tomé and Príncipe and Timor-Leste.
Main Areas of Practice:
The firm advises an international community of leading national and multinational corporations, financial institutions and governments. VdA is recognised for its client-focused approach, consistently creating ground-breaking solutions to help clients operate at the forefront of their industries. These include:
■ Agribusiness
■ Aviation
■ Banks
■ Defence
■ Distribution
■ Energy
■ Fast Moving Consumer Goods
■ Funds
■ Healthcare
■ Insurance
■ Lifesciences
■ Mining
■ Oil & Gas
■ Ports & Airports
■ Private Equity & Venture Capital
■ Public Administration
■ Public Sector Companies
■ Rail Infrastructures
■ Real Estate
■ Regulatory Entities
■ Road Infrastructures
■ Shipping
■ Social Economy (Foundations, Associations)
■ Space
■ Technology & Innovation
■ Telecoms
■ Tourism
■ Water & Waste
International Work:
VdA Legal Partners consolidates VdA’s international footprint, bringing together all the lawyers and independent law firms affiliated with VdA for the provision of integrated legal services in Lusophone and Francophone Africa, as well as Timor-Leste.
The firm has a unique blend of exceptional technical expertise, a commercial mindset and in-depth knowledge across industries and local markets. Each mandate is tenaciously handled by multidisciplinary teams comprised of subject-matter specialists and local practitioners. Lawyers at VdA work as a team regardless of their physical location: enthusiastic client service is part of their DNA, wherever the client may be.
The firm’s international reach is further enhanced through a set of working relationships with some of the most reputed law firms in Europe, America – particularly Brazil – Asia and Africa.
Ranked Offices
Provided by VdA
- LisbonRua Dom Luís I, 28, Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal, 1200-151
- Web: www.vda.pt
- Tel: +351 21 311 3400
- Fax: (+351) 21 311 3406
- View ranked office
Contributions
15 Contributions provided by VdA
Climate Change Regulation 2023
The Climate Framework Law (Law No 98/2021) entered into force in 2022, but its effective implementa...
Climate Change Regulation 2023
The general counsel's comprehensive guide | Portugal
The general counsel's comprehensive guide | Portugal
The general counsel's comprehensive guide | Portugal
Public Procurement & Government Contracts 2023
The general counsel's comprehensive guide | Portugal
2022 brought meaningful tax-related changes at both national and international levels, such as: In...
Pharmaceutical Advertising 2023
While the previous few years were focused on how to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, 2022 finally b...
Mozambique's mineral resource potential is large and diverse. The last few years have seen an incre...
Timor-Leste is one of the world’s youngest countries. After decades of conflict, in 2002 Timor-Lest...
Angola is the fourth largest diamond producer in the world (the country produced about 9.3 million...
The general counsel's comprehensive guide | Mozambique
The general counsel's comprehensive guide | Timor-Leste
The general counsel's comprehensive guide | Angola
The general counsel's comprehensive guide | Portugal
The general counsel's comprehensive guide | Portugal
Climate Change Regulation 2023
The Climate Framework Law (Law No 98/2021) entered into force in 2022, but its effective implementa...
Climate Change Regulation 2023
The general counsel's comprehensive guide | Portugal
The general counsel's comprehensive guide | Portugal
The general counsel's comprehensive guide | Portugal
Public Procurement & Government Contracts 2023
The general counsel's comprehensive guide | Portugal
2022 brought meaningful tax-related changes at both national and international levels, such as: In...
Pharmaceutical Advertising 2023
While the previous few years were focused on how to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, 2022 finally b...
Mozambique's mineral resource potential is large and diverse. The last few years have seen an incre...
Timor-Leste is one of the world’s youngest countries. After decades of conflict, in 2002 Timor-Lest...
Angola is the fourth largest diamond producer in the world (the country produced about 9.3 million...
The general counsel's comprehensive guide | Mozambique
The general counsel's comprehensive guide | Timor-Leste
The general counsel's comprehensive guide | Angola
The general counsel's comprehensive guide | Portugal
The general counsel's comprehensive guide | Portugal
VdA rankings
Articles, highlights and press releases
64 items provided by VdA
ANGOLA | New Tax Benefits Code
As per Law No. 8/22, of April 14, 2022, the new Tax Benefits Code (the “Act”) has been enacted, which seeks to bring together in a single act every tax benefit existing in Angola, their rules and conditions.
PORTUGAL | New VAT Rates Directive
Directive - The Directive modernizes the VAT Directive’s rules on the applicable rates, aiming at a greater flexibility of Member States in the application of reduced rates.
PORTUGAL | Landmark Jurisprudence
The Portuguese Administrative Arbitration Center (“CAAD”) recently published a decision within case no. 217/2021-T that may be of interest to taxable persons based in countries with a more favorable tax framework (...)
ANGOLA | Draft Law – Tax Benefits Code
Parliament has approved the Draft Law on the Tax Benefits Code (the “Act”), which seeks to bring together in a single act every tax benefit existing in Angola, their rules and conditions.
PORTUGAL | WHT Applicable to dividends obtained by non-resident collective investment undertakings
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) confirmed today that the withholding tax (WHT) applicable in Portugal on dividends paid to non-resident collective investment undertakings is incompatible with EU Law, in line with the arguments that we have sustained at the referring proceeding (...)
ANGOLA | Legal Regime of Telework
Presidential Decree NO. 52/22, dated 17th February 2022, creates the legal regime of telework, entering into force on 20th March 2022.
PORTUGAL | European Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive Proposal
In April 2020, the EU Justice Commissioner announced that the European Union was committed to legislate on mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence.
PORTUGAL | EU Directive proposal to prevent the misuse of shell entities for tax purposes
On December 22, 2021, the European Union (“EU”) Commission released the proposal for a Directive to prevent the misuse of shell entities for tax purposes and amending the Directive on Administrative Cooperation in the field of taxation (“DAC”).
PORTUGAL | The Basics of Decree-Law 109-D/2021
Decree-Law 109-D/2021, of 9 December 2021 (DL 109-D/2021) partially transposes EU Directive 2019/1151 of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 20 June 2019 (“Directive 2019/1151") to the domestic legal order.
Portugal | New Legal Framework Of The Sen | Decree-Law No. 15/2022, Of 14 January Self-Consumption
Decree-Law no. 15/2022, of 14 January 2022 (“DL 15/2022”) is the new piece of the legislation applicable to self-consumption and energy communities, which had so far been regulated by a separate act.
EQUATORIAL GUINEA | 2022 General State Budget Law
Equatorial Guinea’s 2022 State Budget was enacted by way of Law 3/2021, of 3 December 2021.
PORTUGAL | Amendments to the Commercial Companies Code
Since December 2021, the Portuguese Commercial Companies Code (“PCCC”) has been subject to several amendments, namely in terms of the governance of commercial companies, the subtypes of public limited companies (by shares*), in terms of multiple-vote and corporate crimes and penalties.
PORTUGAL | GDPR Fines Tracker - Cookies: 210m€ Fine Imposed to Google and Facebook
The French Data Protection Authority fines Google (150M euros) and Facebook (60M euros) due to non-compliance with cookies regulation.
PORTUGAL | Contribution on Single-Use Plastic Packaging
Ministerial Order no. 331-E/2021, of 31 December, was published, regulating the contribution on single-use packaging made of plastic or aluminium purchased in ready-to-eat meals, provided for in article 320 of Law no. 75-B/2020, of 31 December, which approved the State Budget Law for 2021.
PORTUGAL | Climate Framework Law
Law 98/2021 laying down the foundations of climate policy was published on 31 December 2021 and comes into force on 1 February.
PORTUGAL | New Legal Framework for the National Electricity Sector Dl 15/2022, of 14 January 2022
Decree-Law no. 15/2022, of 14 January 2022 (“DL 15/2022”) was published on 14 January. The act was approved following a public consultation period that included over 160 contributions from players of the energy sector.
PORTUGAL | General Whistleblower Protection Framework
Law 93/2021 establishing the general whistleblower protection framework (“RPDI”) and transposing Directive (EU) 2019/1937, of 23 October 2019, on the protection of persons who report breaches of Union law (“Directive”), was published December 20, 2021.
MONITORING,CONTROL, REMOVAL AND PREVENTION OF ACCESS TO PROTECTED CONTENT IN THE DIGITAL ENVIRONMENT
Law no. 82/2021 was published, approving the rules and procedures for the monitoring, control, removal and prevention of access to protected content in the digital environment, and imposing new obligations on intermediary networking service providers.
PROPOSAL FOR THE 2022 GENERAL STATE BUDGET LAW
It has recently been made available the Proposal for the 2022 General State Budget Law (“State Budget Proposal”).
Timor-Leste | New Voluntary Arbitration Regime
Law no. 6/2021, of 31 March (“Law 6/2021”), which enacts the voluntary arbitration law (“VAL”) and for the first time amends the Code on Civil Procedure (“CCP”), was published in the Timor-Leste Official Gazette.
Angola | Accession of Angola to the Washington Convention (ICSID Convention)
The National Assembly of Angola approved Resolution No. 63/21, of September 1st, which approves Angola's accession to the Convention for the Settlement of Disputes arising from Foreign Investment Contracts between States and nationals of others concluded in 1966.
WHT applicable to dividends obtained in Portugal by non-EU investment funds.
Portugal | Enactment of the ZLT framework act – Technological Free Zones
The testing and trial of technology-based innovative technologies, products, services and processes now benefit in Portugal from an innovative, structured and cross-sector approach, as approved by the legal framework for the creation of the so-called Technological Free Zones (ZLTs).
Portugal | TRADE OF DUAL-USE ITEMS: NEW EU RULES ADOPTED
Regulation (EU) 2021/821, of 20 May, setting up a new Union regime for the control of exports, brokering, technical assistance, transit and transfer of dual-use items and reformulating the previous regime provided for by Regulation (EC) 428/2009, of 5 May 2009, entered into force on 9/Sep/2021.
Portugal | REGULATION OF THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR CYBERSPACE SECURITY
The regulation of the Cyberspace Security Legal Framework was published, with impact on operators of critical infrastructures and essential services, digital service providers and the Public Administration.
Portugal| Amendment to the Regional Regime Of Space Activities
The first amendment to the licensing regime for space activities in the Autonomous Region of the Azores ("RAA") was published on July 22nd as approved by Regional Legislative Decree No. 9/2019/A of 9 May.
Mozambique | Decree-Law No. 2/2021, of 9 August
On August 9, 2021, the Decree-Law No. 2/2021 was published, introducing amendments to articles 377, 714, 875, and 1143 of the Civil Code, approved by Decree-Law No. 47344, of November 25, 1966. This Decree-Law introduces and recognizes a new form for mortgage, purchase and sale and loan agreements.
MOZAMBIQUE | Amendments to the Investment Law Regulation approved by Decree No. 43/2009, of 21/08
With the aim of adapting national and foreign investment processes to a new institutional framework of coordination and in the context of a policy to attract and facilitate those investments, this Decree was approved, introducing amendments to the Investment Law Regulation.
Exchange Policy The National Bank of Angola (“BNA”) recently published, in the use of its powers, the following pieces of legislation Notice no. 4/21 of 14 April 2021 and Notice no. 5/21 of 14 April 2021
The European Commission adopted on 22 April the U-space package, a part of the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy and Action Plan, announced in December 2020.
ANGOLA | New Tax Benefits Code
As per Law No. 8/22, of April 14, 2022, the new Tax Benefits Code (the “Act”) has been enacted, which seeks to bring together in a single act every tax benefit existing in Angola, their rules and conditions.
PORTUGAL | New VAT Rates Directive
Directive - The Directive modernizes the VAT Directive’s rules on the applicable rates, aiming at a greater flexibility of Member States in the application of reduced rates.
PORTUGAL | Landmark Jurisprudence
The Portuguese Administrative Arbitration Center (“CAAD”) recently published a decision within case no. 217/2021-T that may be of interest to taxable persons based in countries with a more favorable tax framework (...)
ANGOLA | Draft Law – Tax Benefits Code
Parliament has approved the Draft Law on the Tax Benefits Code (the “Act”), which seeks to bring together in a single act every tax benefit existing in Angola, their rules and conditions.
PORTUGAL | WHT Applicable to dividends obtained by non-resident collective investment undertakings
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) confirmed today that the withholding tax (WHT) applicable in Portugal on dividends paid to non-resident collective investment undertakings is incompatible with EU Law, in line with the arguments that we have sustained at the referring proceeding (...)
ANGOLA | Legal Regime of Telework
Presidential Decree NO. 52/22, dated 17th February 2022, creates the legal regime of telework, entering into force on 20th March 2022.
PORTUGAL | European Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive Proposal
In April 2020, the EU Justice Commissioner announced that the European Union was committed to legislate on mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence.
PORTUGAL | EU Directive proposal to prevent the misuse of shell entities for tax purposes
On December 22, 2021, the European Union (“EU”) Commission released the proposal for a Directive to prevent the misuse of shell entities for tax purposes and amending the Directive on Administrative Cooperation in the field of taxation (“DAC”).
PORTUGAL | The Basics of Decree-Law 109-D/2021
Decree-Law 109-D/2021, of 9 December 2021 (DL 109-D/2021) partially transposes EU Directive 2019/1151 of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 20 June 2019 (“Directive 2019/1151") to the domestic legal order.
Portugal | New Legal Framework Of The Sen | Decree-Law No. 15/2022, Of 14 January Self-Consumption
Decree-Law no. 15/2022, of 14 January 2022 (“DL 15/2022”) is the new piece of the legislation applicable to self-consumption and energy communities, which had so far been regulated by a separate act.
EQUATORIAL GUINEA | 2022 General State Budget Law
Equatorial Guinea’s 2022 State Budget was enacted by way of Law 3/2021, of 3 December 2021.
PORTUGAL | Amendments to the Commercial Companies Code
Since December 2021, the Portuguese Commercial Companies Code (“PCCC”) has been subject to several amendments, namely in terms of the governance of commercial companies, the subtypes of public limited companies (by shares*), in terms of multiple-vote and corporate crimes and penalties.
PORTUGAL | GDPR Fines Tracker - Cookies: 210m€ Fine Imposed to Google and Facebook
The French Data Protection Authority fines Google (150M euros) and Facebook (60M euros) due to non-compliance with cookies regulation.
PORTUGAL | Contribution on Single-Use Plastic Packaging
Ministerial Order no. 331-E/2021, of 31 December, was published, regulating the contribution on single-use packaging made of plastic or aluminium purchased in ready-to-eat meals, provided for in article 320 of Law no. 75-B/2020, of 31 December, which approved the State Budget Law for 2021.
PORTUGAL | Climate Framework Law
Law 98/2021 laying down the foundations of climate policy was published on 31 December 2021 and comes into force on 1 February.
PORTUGAL | New Legal Framework for the National Electricity Sector Dl 15/2022, of 14 January 2022
Decree-Law no. 15/2022, of 14 January 2022 (“DL 15/2022”) was published on 14 January. The act was approved following a public consultation period that included over 160 contributions from players of the energy sector.
PORTUGAL | General Whistleblower Protection Framework
Law 93/2021 establishing the general whistleblower protection framework (“RPDI”) and transposing Directive (EU) 2019/1937, of 23 October 2019, on the protection of persons who report breaches of Union law (“Directive”), was published December 20, 2021.
MONITORING,CONTROL, REMOVAL AND PREVENTION OF ACCESS TO PROTECTED CONTENT IN THE DIGITAL ENVIRONMENT
Law no. 82/2021 was published, approving the rules and procedures for the monitoring, control, removal and prevention of access to protected content in the digital environment, and imposing new obligations on intermediary networking service providers.
PROPOSAL FOR THE 2022 GENERAL STATE BUDGET LAW
It has recently been made available the Proposal for the 2022 General State Budget Law (“State Budget Proposal”).
Timor-Leste | New Voluntary Arbitration Regime
Law no. 6/2021, of 31 March (“Law 6/2021”), which enacts the voluntary arbitration law (“VAL”) and for the first time amends the Code on Civil Procedure (“CCP”), was published in the Timor-Leste Official Gazette.
Angola | Accession of Angola to the Washington Convention (ICSID Convention)
The National Assembly of Angola approved Resolution No. 63/21, of September 1st, which approves Angola's accession to the Convention for the Settlement of Disputes arising from Foreign Investment Contracts between States and nationals of others concluded in 1966.
WHT applicable to dividends obtained in Portugal by non-EU investment funds.
Portugal | Enactment of the ZLT framework act – Technological Free Zones
The testing and trial of technology-based innovative technologies, products, services and processes now benefit in Portugal from an innovative, structured and cross-sector approach, as approved by the legal framework for the creation of the so-called Technological Free Zones (ZLTs).
Portugal | TRADE OF DUAL-USE ITEMS: NEW EU RULES ADOPTED
Regulation (EU) 2021/821, of 20 May, setting up a new Union regime for the control of exports, brokering, technical assistance, transit and transfer of dual-use items and reformulating the previous regime provided for by Regulation (EC) 428/2009, of 5 May 2009, entered into force on 9/Sep/2021.
Portugal | REGULATION OF THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR CYBERSPACE SECURITY
The regulation of the Cyberspace Security Legal Framework was published, with impact on operators of critical infrastructures and essential services, digital service providers and the Public Administration.
Portugal| Amendment to the Regional Regime Of Space Activities
The first amendment to the licensing regime for space activities in the Autonomous Region of the Azores ("RAA") was published on July 22nd as approved by Regional Legislative Decree No. 9/2019/A of 9 May.
Mozambique | Decree-Law No. 2/2021, of 9 August
On August 9, 2021, the Decree-Law No. 2/2021 was published, introducing amendments to articles 377, 714, 875, and 1143 of the Civil Code, approved by Decree-Law No. 47344, of November 25, 1966. This Decree-Law introduces and recognizes a new form for mortgage, purchase and sale and loan agreements.
MOZAMBIQUE | Amendments to the Investment Law Regulation approved by Decree No. 43/2009, of 21/08
With the aim of adapting national and foreign investment processes to a new institutional framework of coordination and in the context of a policy to attract and facilitate those investments, this Decree was approved, introducing amendments to the Investment Law Regulation.
Exchange Policy The National Bank of Angola (“BNA”) recently published, in the use of its powers, the following pieces of legislation Notice no. 4/21 of 14 April 2021 and Notice no. 5/21 of 14 April 2021
The European Commission adopted on 22 April the U-space package, a part of the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy and Action Plan, announced in December 2020.