About the firm
A Lisbon law firm,
with partners who speak English.
Ribesa is a law firm in Lisbon, near Campo Pequeno. We work for individuals and companies across several areas of law, mostly family, inheritance, property and criminal law. Our clients come from all over Portugal and from abroad. We see them at the office or by video call, always by appointment.
- +70Years of practice combined between the partners
- 3Founding partners
- 11Practice areas
- 2021Founded in Lisbon
Our story
Three practices before they were one
Each partner came to Ribesa with their own area and years of practice. They joined forces so that a case touching several areas, such as an inheritance that includes a company, can stay with one firm.
Dr. Ricardo Ribeiro Santos
Founding partner
He has practised law for more than 20 years. He began his career in insolvency, later moved on to company law and litigation, and today focuses mainly on inheritance and property.
Brought to RibesaInheritance and property
- Highlights
- More than 20 years of experience in legal practice; court-appointed liquidator from 2003 to 2005
- Areas
- Inheritance and probate inventories, property, criminal cases, insolvency, family and advice to companies
- Education
- Law degree, Universidade Internacional de Lisboa
Dr. Samuel Benjamim
Founding partner
He has practised law for more than 18 years. Much of his work centres on negotiation, particularly in debt enforcement proceedings, where he has represented both creditors and debtors, experience he also applies to property and commercial law.
Brought to RibesaProperty and commercial law
- Highlights
- More than 18 years of experience in legal practice; experience representing creditors and debtors in debt enforcement proceedings
- Areas
- Property law, out-of-court negotiation in debt enforcement cases, commercial law and inheritance
- Education
- Law degree, Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa; qualified business organisation technician
Dra. Sara Ribeiro Santos
Founding partner
She has practised law for more than 35 years. Her work mainly covers criminal, civil and family litigation, as well as probate inventory proceedings, regulatory offences and sports law.
Brought to RibesaFamily, criminal and civil law
- Highlights
- More than 35 years of experience in legal practice; insolvency administrator from 2003 to 2005
- Areas
- Criminal, civil, family, regulatory offences, sports law and probate inventories
- Education
- Postgraduate diploma in Legal and Forensic Sciences, Faculty of Law, University of Lisbon
| Dr. Ricardo Ribeiro Santos | Dr. Samuel Benjamim | Dra. Sara Ribeiro Santos | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brought to Ribesa | Inheritance and property | Property and commercial law | Family, criminal and civil law |
| Highlights | More than 20 years of experience in legal practice; court-appointed liquidator from 2003 to 2005 | More than 18 years of experience in legal practice; experience representing creditors and debtors in debt enforcement proceedings | More than 35 years of experience in legal practice; insolvency administrator from 2003 to 2005 |
| Areas | Inheritance and probate inventories, property, criminal cases, insolvency, family and advice to companies | Property law, out-of-court negotiation in debt enforcement cases, commercial law and inheritance | Criminal, civil, family, regulatory offences, sports law and probate inventories |
| Education | Law degree, Universidade Internacional de Lisboa | Law degree, Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa; qualified business organisation technician | Postgraduate diploma in Legal and Forensic Sciences, Faculty of Law, University of Lisbon |
| Profile | View profile | View profile | View profile |
2021
Ribesa Advogados · Lisbon
The three practices become one firm. Today the team has eight people: the three partners, Alberto Cancelino, a clinical psychologist and the people who run administration, IT and communications.
Meet the teamWhat we do
For individuals and for companies
A division of an estate between siblings and a commercial contract call for different areas of law, but the same rigour in how we follow them.
People and families
Individuals
For individuals, most of our work is family law, inheritance, property and criminal law. These are almost always personal matters, and many come with a deadline. For people from abroad, these are the matters we see most often.
Portuguese and foreign
Companies
For companies, we set up new companies, draft and review contracts with clients and suppliers, deal with disagreements between shareholders and recover unpaid invoices.
We also work in other practice areas and related matters.
See all practice areas
Family and parenting
Law and psychology in the same case
When children are caught up in a separation, the legal decisions and the parenting decisions cannot be made apart.
That is why, in family cases involving children, the lawyer can work together with the clinical psychologist, if both parents agree. The psychologist is part of the firm's team.
The lawyersHandle the legal side: parental responsibilities, where the child lives, contact with each parent and child maintenance.
The clinical psychologistAndreia Borges supports parents and children and looks at how the children are coping with the process. She does not give legal advice.
What guides us
Five values, in practice
A single word says little. For each one, we explain what it changes in the way we handle a case.
- 01
Availability
We reply to requests within 24 working hours. A court summons with a deadline, an arrest or a hearing next week moves to the front of the queue. If we cannot help in time, we tell you straight away.
- 02
Integrity
We do not take on a case we know has no legal basis just because the client is willing to pay. If that is the situation, we say so and explain why.
- 03
Efficiency
Not every legal problem needs a court. Many are settled with a well-written letter, a meeting between lawyers or a negotiated agreement. When that is the shorter route, that is what we suggest.
- 04
Commitment
For you, this is the case that matters. So we keep you updated without waiting for you to ask, and we explain every court decision that arrives.
- 05
Dedication
Many cases last for years. Yours gets the same attention in the first month as at the third postponement of a hearing.
And what we do not do
We do not promise results. The rules of the profession do not allow it.
What we do promise is a proper analysis of your case, a strategy and support until the end, in court or out of it.
How we work
Tools that save hours of reading
Between 2023 and 2025 the firm invested in document analysis and case management tools. They are for internal use only. We do not sell them as a service, and they do not replace the lawyer's work.
Reading long case files now takes less time. That time goes to what only a lawyer can do: understanding what is at stake for you and deciding the strategy.
“The decisions are made by the lawyer who signs the case.”
Where we are
In Avenidas Novas, near Campo Pequeno
The office is on Avenida Júlio Dinis, between Avenida da República and Avenida 5 de Outubro, close to Campo Pequeno metro station.
- Address
- Av. Júlio Dinis, n.º 2, 2.º Esq.1050-131 Lisbon
- Metro
- Campo PequenoYellow line
- By car
- Rua Ivone Silva or the Campo Pequeno car parkPaid public parking · about 5 minutes' walk
- Meetings
- In person or by video call, by appointment
Book a consultation
Tell us what is happening
Write to us in your own words, in English, or give us a call. In our reply we confirm availability, the format of the consultation and the fee.
- Professional secrecy from the first contact
- No obligation to go ahead
- Reply within 24 working hours
- In person or by video call