The Portuguese Bar Association (Portuguese: Ordem dos Advogados) is the public association to which all attorneys-at-law belong in Portugal, founded in 1926. Its early origins are found on a private association founded in 1838 by a group of lawyers from Lisbon.
Graduates in Law from University who wish to act on behalf of clients before a Court of Law must register at the Portuguese Bar Association. Only those who are duly registered can provide legal consultation and appear before the Court. Other graduates in Law may chose other jobs, which do not demand registration at the Bar.
Being a public association, it is independent from the government, but it has some public powers, which include disciplinary action over its members. Its decisions are subject to judicial impeachment. In Portuguese Law, an attorney-at-law is known as advogado. His job equals that of both solicitors and barristers.