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Lawyer

Cátia Fernandes

Cátia Fernandes has more than two decades of background in the Maritime Law and Ship Finance areas.

Cátia acts as legal advisor in relevant cross border transactions on behalf of international shipowners, banks and leasing entities.

Cátia provides legal assistance in matters related to ship registration, maritime guarantees and privileges, creation of ship mortgages, incorporation and management of shipping companies licensed to operate within the International Business Center of Madeira, assistance in compliance with applicable national and international provisions, particularly in regulatory, labour and tax matters.

Cátia is an Arbitrator at the Lisbon Maritime Arbitration Centre (CAM) and a consultant at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

She has lectured on various postgraduate studies in Maritime Law by the University of Lisbon School of Law and by the Universidade Católica Portuguesa and has participated as a speaker at various seminars and conferences.

Cátia won the award “Best in Shipping and Maritime” by the Women in Business Law Europe Awards in 2020 and is ranked in the main international Legal Directories such as Chambers & Partners and Best Lawyers.

Formerly, Cátia Fernandes was partner at the law firm Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados, where she worked between 2001 and 2020.

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CF - Advogada Cátia Fernandes

Lawyer

Cátia Fernandes

Cátia Fernandes has more than two decades of background in the Maritime Law and Ship Finance areas.

Cátia acts as legal advisor in relevant cross border transactions on behalf of international shipowners, banks and leasing entities.

Cátia provides legal assistance in matters related to ship registration, maritime guarantees and privileges, creation of ship mortgages, incorporation and management of shipping companies licensed to operate within the International Business Center of Madeira, assistance in compliance with applicable national and international provisions, particularly in regulatory, labour and tax matters.

Cátia is an Arbitrator at the Lisbon Maritime Arbitration Centre (CAM) and an expert consultant at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

Cátia teaches postgraduate studies in Maritime Law at the University of Lisbon School of Law and at the Universidade Católica Portuguesa and is a regular speaker at national and international conferences.

Winner of the award “Best in Shipping and Maritime” organised by the Women in Business Law Europe Awards in 2020. Ranked as a leading lawyer by the most prestigious Legal Directories such as Chambers & Partners and Best Lawyers.

Formerly, Cátia Fernandes was partner at the law firm Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados.

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CF - Advogada Cátia Fernandes

Related Content

Education

  • 2000

    Law Degree (University of Lisbon School of Law, 2000)

  • 2002

    Postgraduate Studies in Tax Law (University of Lisbon School of Law, 2002)

  • 2011

    Maritime Law Course (University of Southampton, 2011)

  • 2013

    Postgraduate Studies in Administrative Maritime Law (University of Lisbon of School of Law, 2013)

  • 2016

    Postgraduate Studies in Maritime and Port Law (University of Lisbon of School of Law, 2016)

Memberships

  • 2003

    Portuguese Bar Association

  • 2011

    European Maritime Law Organisation

  • 2014

    Iberoamerican Institute of Maritime Law

  • 2018

    Vice-President of the Supervisory Board of WISTA - Women's International Shipping & Trading Association

  • 2023

    Member of the Management Committee of the CAM LISBOA

“Cátia is very customer-focused; she goes above and beyond for our company. She is always available and assists at a moment's notice. She is exceptional.”

“Cátia is one of the best lawyers we work with. She is extremely knowledgeable, a pleasure to deal with, very clear in her advice and very proactive in her approach. She is always thinking ahead and is able to anticipate issues before they become real problems.”

"We truly appreciate the level of partnership we have developed. Throughout our time working together, we have always felt that we are treated as equals, with our needs and concerns taken seriously."

"Catia Henriques Fernandes is without a doubt the best lawyer I have worked with in my career in shipping."

    BEST LAWYERS

    Transportation, since 2010 up to 2024

    Cátia Fernandes - 19 Years Ranked

    • Band 1

      Transportation: Shipping

      2025
    • Band 1

      Transportation: Shipping

      2024
    • Band 1

      Transportation: Shipping

      2024
    • Band 1

      Transportation: Shipping

      2023
    • Band 1

      Transportation: Shipping

      2022
    • Band 1

      Transportation: Shipping

      2021
    • Band 1

      Transportation: Shipping

      2020
    • Band 2

      Transportation: Shipping

      2019
    • Band 2

       Transportation: Shipping

      2018
    • Band 2

       Transportation: Shipping

      2017
    • Band 3

      Transportation: Shipping

      2016
    • Band 3

      Transportation: Shipping

      2015
    • Band 4

      Transportation: Shipping

      2014
    • Band 4

      Transportation: Shipping

      2013
    • Band 4

      Transportation: Shipping

      2012
    • Associates to watch

       Transportation: Shipping

      2011
    • Associates to watch

       Transportation: Shipping

      2010
    • Band 1 - Transportation: Shipping

      2025

    • Band 1 - Transportation: Shipping

      2024

    • Band 1 - Transportation: Shipping

      2023

    • Band 1 - Transportation: Shipping

      2022

    • Band 1 - Transportation: Shipping

      2021

    • Band 1 - Transportation: Shipping

      2020

    • Band 2 - Transportation: Shipping

      2019

    • Band 2 - Transportation: Shipping

      2018

    • Band 2 - Transportation: Shipping

      2017

    • Band 3 - Transportation: Shipping

      2016

    • Band 3 - Transportation: Shipping

      2015

    • Band 4 - Transportation: Shipping

      2014

    • Band 4 - Transportation: Shipping

      2013

    • Band 4 - Transportation: Shipping

      2012

    • Associates to watch - Transportation: Shipping

      2011

    • Associates to watch - Transportation: Shipping

      2010

    Chambers and Partners

    News

    2025

    Cátia Fernandes participated in the conference ““Specialised Arbitrations: Maritime Arbitration” organised by PLMJ and CAM Lisboa – the Maritime Arbitration Centre of the CONCÓRDIA Association, which took place on July 2 in Lisbon.

    Cátia Fernandes joined the panel “The development of maritime trade and the Lisbon Maritime Arbitration Centre (CAM Lisboa)” as a speaker, where she analysed the main regimes with an impact on the development of the maritime trade in Portugal, with particular focus on the Madeira International Shipping Registry regime and its connection to CAM Lisboa. The conference brought together national and international experts and sought to reflect on the growth of the maritime transport sector in Portugal and the potential of CAM Lisboa in this context.

    Cátia is a Member of the Management Committee and an Arbitrator appointed by CAM Lisboa.
    2025

    Cátia Fernandes, partner and founder of the firm, has once again consolidated her ranking in the Chambers Europe Guide 2025, keeping her position in Band 1 of Transportation: Shipping, where she has been ranked for 19 consecutive years.

    CF – Maritime Legal Services has also strengthened its position, for the second year in a row, maintaining its rank in Band 3 in the same department.

    These results represent the firm’s commitment to offering a high-quality services to its customers in the shipping area.
    View the News section