Cerejeira advises on Águas do Marco historic agreement
Cerejeira Namora, Marinho Falcão has advised the Municipality of Marco de Canaveses in securing a court ruling from the Porto Administrative and Tax Court on November 13, confirming an agreement with Águas do Marco. This settlement resolved nearly two decades of legal disputes concerning water management.
The nearly two-decade-long conflict was primarily about the modification of the original 2004 water and sanitation contract between the Municipality of Marco de Canaveses and Águas do Marco, which was unilaterally altered in 2007. This modification triggered a legal battle over financial imbalances, with the municipality facing potential compensation liabilities that could have reached €71 million. The dispute was centered around the financial terms and the impact of the modification on both parties’ obligations under the contract. The agreement reached now not only prevents the large financial penalty but also renegotiates the terms, ensuring financial stability for the municipality and securing continued investment in infrastructure.
Cerejeira’s role in the negotiations
The law firm supported the municipality throughout the negotiations and drafting process, ensuring legal compliance and a balanced financial outcome to prevent future disputes. The agreement resolved longstanding litigation that traversed several courts, including Arbitral, Constitutional, and Audit Courts.
Municipal president Cristina Vieira celebrated the outcome as a decisive step toward financial stability and the continuity of essential investments in water and sanitation infrastructure. Nuno Cerejeira Namora, the firm’s founding partner, highlighted the historic significance of the agreement, emphasizing the dedication required to achieve this victory for the citizens of Marco de Canaveses.
The advisory team was led by partners Nuno Cerejeira Namora, Ricardo Maia Magalhães, and senior associate João Prista Guerra (all pictured from left to right).
