Portuguese court dismisses preliminary objection regarding the Council of Ethics' jurisdiction over lawyer disciplinary proceedings.

The Supreme Administrative Court dismissed the preliminary objection raised by the applicant against the Council of Ethics of the Lisbon Bar Association. The applicant argued that the Council lacked jurisdiction to adjudicate the specific disciplinary matter involving the lawyer. The court ruled that the Council possesses exclusive competence to hear such professional disciplinary cases under the relevant legal framework. Consequently, the objection was rejected, and the disciplinary proceedings before the Council were confirmed as valid.