State Act

Portuguese Civil Code, 1867

Article 539 – Prescriptions of one year - The following prescribe by lapse of one year: 1. Remuneration of teachers and private tutors of arts or sciences, who teach on monthly basis; 2. Remuneration of doctors and surgeons for their calls or surgeries; 3. Emoluments of public officials; 4. Debts of retail businessmen, towards goods sold by them to persons who are not merchants; 5. Salaries of servants who work on a yearly basis; 6. Obligation to pay civil damages for defamation done orally, or in writing, or for any damage caused by animal, or by any person for whom the debtor is answerable; 7. Obligation to make good the damage for simple breach of municipal regulations. § 1 - The prescription in relation to visits of doctors and surgeons, which are continuous and in relation to the same person and illness, starts from the date of the last visit, and the prescription for casual visits from the day on which each visit is made. § 2 - Prescription in relation to the emoluments of public officials starts from the final decree or decision, or from the respective act being separate. § 3 - Prescription of the wages of servants, who work on yearly basis, starts from the day the servant leaves the house of the master.