has a team fully dedicated to labour and social security with a total of 13 counsels. The primary office is based in Lisbon, with other offices in Oporto, Funchal, Angola, Mozambique and Macau. Both in a consultancy capacity and in litigation before labour courts, the firm assists a vast number of ... companies, including many multinationals, in all areas pertaining to labour relations. In line with recent economic developments, it has been providing advice to a number of clients involved in personnel rationalisation processes, namely by participating in the non-contentious and contentious phases of collective lay-offs and redundancies. The firm’s close involvement in the labour law aspects of M&A and outsourcings should also be underlined. The firm assists its clients on all legal matters related to labour relations. With regard to labour litigation, in defence of its clients’ interests, the firm is often present in the courts, namely in the labour courts. We have acted on behalf of our clients in legal actions concerning the work relationship, training, development and cessation of employment. Advice on social welfare and security is an integral part of the service we provide. Identification of the causes of the termination of the work contract, and the relevant public social welfare solutions, can minimise the impact on the work force of inevitable rationalisations and business restructuring measures. In the context of social welfare, clients benefit from our in-depth knowledge of public retirement solutions, as well as the definition and implementation of complementary benefits schemes. We assist in elaborating and updating pension schemes. The firm has acquired considerable experience in special welfare schemes to replace the public system of social security.