The competition law impact of mergers and acquisitions as well as the state aid issues raised in dealings with the State requires specialised expertise in competition law matters. Our competition lawyers have experience in competition and antitrust law as well as the required regulatory expertise in wide range of industry sectors.

We act on behalf of both foreign and domestic clients in all aspects of European and Portuguese competition law matters, including among others:

• Merger control
• Abuse of dominant position
• Restrictive practices
• State aid
• Implementation of EU directives
• Regulatory matters

Although, much has been said about the difficulties presented by European labour laws, in particular those of Portugal, to adapt to the pressure of more liberal models, a careful definition of the work force structure and the implementation of adequate employment contracts well adapted to meet short term and longer term needs, should ensure a dynamic management of the resources allocated to Portugal.

Our employment lawyers are prepared to advise on:

• Employment law matters regarding the structuring of businesses in Portugal
• Individual and collective employment aspects of mergers and acquisitions
• Service contracts
• Outsourcing
• Confidentiality and restrictive covenants
• Executive remuneration
• Employee share options plans and profit sharing schemes and employee incentive schemes 
• Individual and collective dismissals including court proceedings
• Taxation of employees and social security contributions

A good tax planning is one of the keys to the success of any business activity. We are capable of advising clients in complex tax issues in connection with the setting up of businesses in Portugal, joint ventures with local companies, franchises, acquisition finance, structured finance and capital markets transactions.

Our tax lawyers advise on all aspects of tax law:

• Corporate tax
• Value added tax
• Stamp duty
• Real estate taxes
• Tax planning
• Transfer pricing
• Taxations of debt and equity market transactions
• Taxation of investment funds
• Tax compliance
• Disputes and litigation

Distribution of products in Portugal either directly or through distributors involves dealing with several complex legal matters, which include the setting up of businesses in Portugal, foreign investment issues, the negotiation of agency contracts and franchise agreements, intellectual property matters, trademarks, patents, etc..

We advise foreign and domestic clients on:

• Commercial contracts
• Distribution and agency agreements
• Franchises
• Trademarks and other intellectual property matters
• Debt recovery and commercial litigation

The globalisation of business activities has led to the increase in the number of local and cross border mergers and acquisition. Clients require specialised advice on a wide range of aspects starting in the structuring of the legal and tax aspects of the transactions as well as on the finance arrangements with investors and banks.

We advise buyers, sellers, target companies and banks on:

• Incorporation of acquisition vehicles
• Legal due diligences
• Merger control 
• Financing arrangements
• Private equity
• Real estate acquisitions and financing
• Employment law
• Outsourcing and service contracts
• Taxation, including value added tax, income tax, duties and stamp tax

Macedo Vitorino assists clients in:

• The structuring of businesses in Portugal
• Incorporation of subsidiaries and registration of branches and general corporate matters
• Joint ventures and strategic alliances
• Negotiation of investment incentives with the Portuguese Investment Agency
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Business acquisitions
• Merger control
• Corporate finance
• Private equity
• Privatisations
• Real estate acquisitions and financing

Over the last years, Portugal has passed new legislation on intellectual property, software protection and industrial property that improved the level of protection given to intellectual property owners. Local and international players are now more aware of the importance of protecting their rights. We advise clients in the registration of trademarks and patents, licensing of intellectual property rights and disputes.

Our expertise in the intellectual property field embraces all aspects of intellectual and industrial property law, including:

• Copyright
• Software licensing
• Software protection
• Publishing contracts
• Internet content and TV programming agreements
• Patents
• Trademarks
• Internet domain names
• Data protection
• IP disputes