Selected Issues on Family and Sucession Law

Code:

MD512

Acronym:

TDFS

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Law

Instance: 2025/2026 - 1S (since 15-09-2025 to 19-12-2025)

Active?	Yes
Course/CS Responsible:	Law

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MD	16	Plano Oficial do ano letivo 2024	1	-	7,5	-
		Plano Oficial do ano letivo 2025	1	-	7,5	-

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

To promote advanced studies on specific topics in Family and Succession Law, deepening and updating the knowledge previously acquired by students on the regulation of family and succession legal relationships, now considering issues of greater complexity (resulting from the articulation of different legal institutes, the limitation of legal regimes enshrined in legal provisions and the emergence of new realities in the factual sphere). Develop and improve the operation of legal interpretation and encourage critical analysis and reflection regarding both the legal solutions adopted in Portuguese law and (the evolution of) the interpretation and application of legal regimes by judicial bodies, taking into account (whenever it is appropriate) elements derived from foreign legal systems.

Learning outcomes and competences

Being able to solve highly complex practical issues that involve economic effects governed by family law and inheritance law.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Knowledge at 1st cycle level in law in relation to Family and Succession Law is needed and considered to be acquired.

Program

1. Introduction. The need for special legal protection of the family.


2. Increasing legal effects of de facto cohabitation during the relationship and at its end.


3. Private autonomy in the conformation of marital relationship, during marriage and at its extinction.


4. Intergenerational solidarity and legal maintenance obligations


5. Protection of family situations through civil liability 


6. From the promotion of private autonomy in the succession field to the rigidity of the legal succession protection of the family in the context of increasing individualism.

Mandatory literature

Rute Teixeira Pedro; Convenções matrimoniais. ISBN: 978-972-40-7269-2
Rute Teixeira Pedro; Breves reflexões sobre a proteção do unido de facto quanto à casa de morada de família propried
Rute Teixeira Pedro; Da comunicabilidade da posição de arrendatário por força do regime de bens
Rute Teixeira Pedro; A^responsabilidade civil como (derradeira) manifestação de juridicidade dos deveres conjugais?
Rute Teixeira Pedro; Do exercício da autonomia privada na partilha do património comum do casal
Rute Teixeira Pedro; (In)suficiência da resposta do direito da família e do direito das sucessões às necessidades dos
Rute Teixeira Pedro; Da rutura definitiva do casamento como pressuposto do direito ao divórcio sem consentimento de um d
Rute Teixeira Pedro; O^subsistente desafio da (difícil) concretização da igualdade material entre os cônjuges
Rita Lobo Xavier; Limites à autonomia privada na disciplina das relações patrimoniais entre os cônjuges. ISBN: 972-40-1298-0
Rita Lobo Xavier; Manual de direito das sucessões. ISBN: 978-989-40-0385-4
Francisco Pereira Coelho; Curso de direito da família. ISBN: 972-32-1035-5
Jorge Duarte Pinheiro; O^direito da família contemporâneo. ISBN: 978-972-40-6763-6
Guilherme de Oliveira; Manual de direito da família. ISBN: 978-972-40-8296-7

Complementary Bibliography

Rute Teixeira Pedro; Family solidarity and the principle of self-sufficiency. ISBN: 1360-9939
Rute Teixeira Pedro; A^partilha do património comum do casal em caso de divórcio
Rute Teixeira Pedro; Da relevância jurídica da convivência more uxorio
Rute Teixeira Pedro; Da ressarcibilidade dos danos não patrimoniais no direito português
Rita Lobo Xavier; Recentes alterações do regime jurídico do divórcio e das responsabilidades parentais. ISBN: 978-972-40-3856-8
Jorge Duarte Pinheiro; Legado em substituição da legítima. ISBN: 972-8081-98-7
Francisco Manuel de Brito Pereira Coelho; Deveres conjugais e responsabilidade civil
Jorge Duarte Pinheiro; O^núcleo intangível da comunhão conjugal. ISBN: 972-40-2154-8
Guilherme de Oliveira; Textos de direito da família. ISBN: 978-989-26-1112-9

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical and practical classes with a combination of theoretical framework presentations, in which complex legal issues are discussed, taking into account the relevant normative data and reflection based on case studies. Resolution of practical exercises based on case law. Distributed assessment without a final exam, with two written tests, each worth 40% of the final grade, and an oral presentation, with this presentation worth 20% of the final grade.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Teste	80,00
Participação presencial	20,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	0,00
Total:	0,00

Eligibility for exams

In accordance with the regulations in force.
Obtaining a positive grade in the average of the grades of the two written assessment tests and the oral presentation.
Failure to complete any of the assessment elements will result in a score of 0 points for that element.

Calculation formula of final grade

Average of the grades of the two written assessment tests and the oral presentation.

Examinations or Special Assignments

Two written assessment tests and the oral presentation.

Classification improvement

Grade improvement is only possible through a final exam.

Observations

Grade improvement is only possible through a final exam.