State Act

Portuguese Civil Code, 1867

Article 513 – Prescription by joint debtor – The prescription by a joint co-debtor can be availed of by others, except by those in respect of whom all the conditions necessary to operate prescription are not fulfilled. The creditor, however, may demand from the latter the fulfillment of the obligation, with the exclusion of the part which would have fallen on to the debtor who has been exonerated by prescription, if the debt was divided proportionately. § Sole paragraph - Prescription acquired by a principal debtor always benefits the sureties.