Acórdãos

Acórdãos are judicial decisions rendered by collegiate courts in Portuguese-speaking legal systems, such as Portugal, Brazil, and Angola. These decisions are made by a panel of judges, typically three or more, who deliberate on a case and issue a collective judgment. Unlike a single judge's decision, an acórdão represents the consensus or majority opinion of the judges involved.

The term "acórdão" translates roughly to "agreement" or "accord," reflecting the collaborative nature of these rulings. They are a crucial part of the appellate process, where lower court decisions are reviewed and can be affirmed, modified, or overturned. Acórdãos are binding on the parties involved in the specific case and can also serve as precedent for future cases, influencing the interpretation and application of the law.

The structure of an acórdão typically includes a preamble stating the parties and the court, a summary of the facts and the lower court's decision, the legal arguments presented by the parties, and the court's reasoning and final decision. Dissenting or concurring opinions may also be included, providing alternative perspectives or highlighting specific points of agreement or disagreement among the judges. These decisions are fundamental to the functioning of the judiciary in civil law jurisdictions that utilize them.