Legal information
Dispute resolution
Last updated: 17 August 2026.
Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is a mechanism provided for under Portuguese law for conflicts between a professional and a consumer (a private individual), without going straight to court: mediation, conciliation or arbitration.
esDEV works mainly with businesses. In those contracts between professionals, commercial law applies and, in the event of a dispute, the competent courts in Portugal, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
If you are a consumer
Under Portuguese Law no. 144/2015, in consumer disputes you may turn to an alternative dispute resolution entity. In Portugal, the official list is available at consumidor.gov.pt. The European online dispute resolution platform is available at ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr.
Complaints book
Under Portuguese law, businesses serving the public must provide a complaints book. The electronic complaints book (and the official logo on the site) may only be published once the activity is registered at livroreclamacoes.pt. A physical complaints book is mandatory where there is an establishment open to the public.