For what its worth, my thoughts on the news of Amaral's appeal are as follows:
Under Portuguese law, Amaral has a right to appeal the decision of the court, as is right and proper.
There are three possibilities:
- That the appeal count will agree the original verdict in which case no further appeals will be allowed
That the appeal court modify the verdict, in which either party can appeal.
That the appeal count overturn the original verdict, in which either party can appeal (probably the McCanns)
The wording of the court documents that the appeal does not stay the decision. To understand this one need to consider the differences between English civil law and European civil law.
In simple terms:
In England, one must seek permission to appeal. If granted, then execution of the decision of the lower count is suspended until the appeal is heard.
In Europe, including Portugal, the right to appeal is automatic. But execution of the decision is not suspended.
There is a logic in this if you look for it.
In England, one must demonstrate pretty sound grounds for an appeal, and it is therefore logical that the judgement is suspended until the appeal is heard.
In Europe, the right to appeal is automatic (although one must show the grounds upon which the appeal is based - not a very high hurdle). But judgement is not suspended - this is to prevent a losing party using the appeals process to "kick the can down the road" for a few months.
_________
What does it mean for this case? Under English law Amaral would have had to show specific grounds for his appeal. And if granted the court decision to ban the book and DVD may have been suspended.
Under Portuguese law, the appeal is in effect a matter of course, and in the meantime the decision to ban book and DVD sales holds.
Hope this helps!
I have a doubt about something though.
The terms of reparation aren't enforceable until the final ruling is pronounced (trânsito em julgado), are they?
I confess I'm having trouble deciphering the details of Art. 647 below, but the gist seems to be along the lines of something you'd originally found that I didn't understand at the time either:
The general rule is that the appeal does not suspend the proceedings unless the appealing party pays a deposit or presents a bank guarantee.'
FWIW, my understanding at the moment is that there could be confusion: what could be suspended in some circumstances is the decision to grant the appeal request.
The bank guarantee is to make sure that the appellant isn't mucking about, but has a genuine cause for concern that needs time to be validated prior to appeal referral.
If that's correct, the "execution of the judgement" doesn't refer to the execution of the terms of reparation, but to the a quo court's ruling to refer the case upwards.
In Amaral's appeal, nothing new of earth-shattering importance had suddenly come to light, and the a quo court hadn't summarily dismissed his request... so there was no reason to suspend the decision to pass it up.
Artigo 647.º (art.º 692.º CPC 1961)
Efeito da apelação
1 - A apelação tem efeito meramente devolutivo, exceto nos casos previstos nos números seguintes.
2 - A apelação tem efeito suspensivo do processo nos casos previstos na lei.
3 - Tem efeito suspensivo da decisão a apelação:
a) Da decisão que ponha termo ao processo em ações sobre o estado das pessoas;
b) Da decisão que ponha termo ao processo nas ações referidas nas alíneas a) e b) do n.º 3 do artigo 629.º e nas que respeitem à posse ou à propriedade de casa de habitação;
c) Do despacho de indeferimento do incidente processado por apenso;
d) Do despacho que indefira liminarmente ou não ordene a providência cautelar;
e) Das decisões previstas nas alíneas e) e f) do n.º 2 do artigo 644.º;
f) Nos demais casos previstos por lei.
4 - Fora dos casos previstos no número anterior, o recorrente pode requerer, ao interpor o recurso, que a apelação tenha efeito suspensivo quando a execução da decisão lhe cause prejuízo considerável e se ofereça para prestar caução, ficando a atribuição desse efeito condicionada à efetiva prestação da caução no prazo fixado pelo tribunal.
