Ações Populares Cíveis em Portugal - Análise Jurídica, Empírica e Económica

This research project seeks to address a significant gap in the understanding of civil popular actions in Portugal by producing an open-source online book and accompanying materials. These resources will cater to a diverse audience, including legal practitioners (lawyers and judges), legislators, and researchers, offering them a comprehensive and empirical analysis of this understudied area of law.

Civil popular actions, which enable citizens to defend collective interests such as environmental protection, consumer rights, or public health, are an important yet under-documented facet of the Portuguese legal system. At present, there is a notable absence of both primary and secondary sources that systematically examine this topic. This lack of accessible data hinders the ability of stakeholders to understand how courts approach and decide on these cases, the statistical trends underlying such litigation, and the economic implications of these actions.

The project will fill this knowledge void by compiling and analysing empirical data about civil popular actions in Portugal. It will address fundamental questions, such as how many such cases have been initiated, their rates of success, and how frequently they are dismissed at preliminary stages. Beyond these quantitative aspects, the research will delve into qualitative insights, examining the broader practical and legal significance of these cases. By doing so, it will offer a resource that is not only academically rigorous but also directly applicable to the daily work of practitioners and policymakers.

The publication will also serve as a crucial foundation for legislative reform and further research. By highlighting the empirical realities and identifying trends in judicial decision-making, the project will enable legislators to evaluate whether the existing legal framework adequately supports the effective use of civil popular actions to protect collective rights. Furthermore, the data-driven approach will support researchers interested in comparative legal studies, economic analysis of collective litigation, or the development of more efficient judicial procedures.

Ultimately, this project aims to combine legal, empirical, and economic perspectives to create a resource of practical utility and academic significance. The open-access format of the publication underscores its commitment to accessibility and broad dissemination, ensuring that its findings can inform practice and policy both within Portugal and in comparative international contexts. By bridging the gap between theory and practice, this work will contribute to a deeper understanding of civil popular actions, their role in the Portuguese legal system, and their potential to advance collective justice.

Plan and Methods