Tribunal letter explained in English
Court. A court. Court papers (citação, notificação) are always important — never ignore them.
Letters you may get
- Citação — someone started a court case against you; you have a deadline to answer
- Injunção — a quick court order for a debt; you have 15 days to pay or oppose
- Notificação de audiência — a hearing date
- Sentença — the court’s decision
What to do
- Deadlines are strict. If you don’t answer an injunção within 15 days, the creditor can enforce it.
- If your income is low, ask Segurança Social for legal aid (apoio judiciário) — it can pay for a lawyer.
- Find the deadline. Look for “prazo”, “até”, “data limite”.
- Write the reference number from the letter on everything you send back, and keep copies.
- If you disagree with a decision, object in writing before the deadline (“reclamação graciosa”, “audiência prévia”, “defesa”, “oposição”, “impugnação”, “recurso”, “reclamação”). See the template.
Words you may see
- citação
- Official notice that a court case or enforcement was started against you. Deadlines start from it.
- notificação
- An official letter that tells you about a decision or a step in a process.
- injunção
- A quick court procedure for a debt. You have 15 days to pay or oppose.
- apoio judiciário
- Legal aid. Segurança Social can pay for a lawyer and court costs if your income is low.
Questions
What is the Tribunal?
Court. A court. Court papers (citação, notificação) are always important — never ignore them.
How long do I have to answer a letter from the Tribunal?
It depends on the letter. Look for words like “prazo”, “até”, “data limite” — they mark the deadline. In Portugal, a letter sent by registered post is usually treated as received on the third day after it was posted. Check if the deadline is in working days (dias úteis) or in calendar days. To object, the letter usually names the way to do it (“reclamação graciosa”, “audiência prévia”, “defesa”, “oposição”, “impugnação”, “recurso”, “reclamação”).
Can I read a Tribunal letter in English?
Yes. Take a photo of the letter with Briefly. It explains the letter in plain English, finds the deadline and the amount, and gives you ready-made replies in Portuguese. Your letter never leaves your device.
Other offices in Portugal
Finanças / Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira (AT) · Segurança Social · IEFP (Instituto do Emprego e Formação Profissional) · AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo) · Câmara Municipal / Junta de Freguesia · Agente de execução · ANSR / PSP / GNR · Portagens (Via Verde / Infraestruturas de Portugal)