The President of the Republic sent a message of condolences to the Constitutional Court and to the Family of Councillor Artur Maurício, upon receiving notice of the passing away of the former President of that Institution. Following is the text of the message:

"Upon being told of the passing away of Councillor Artur Joaquim de Faria Maurício, I deeply regret the departure of this eminent jurist who, throughout his career as a magistrate in the office of the Attorney General and as a judge, performed many and various duties, always with the greatest competence, dignity and sense of public duty.

As a judge, Councillor Artur Maurício had an enhanced role in the Supreme Administrative Court and in the Supreme Court of Justice.

Elected in 1998 by Parliament as a Judge in the Constitutional Court, he was again noted by the qualities evinced in the Portuguese magistracy. He was chosen by his peers as President of the Constitutional Court, a position he occupied from 2004 to 2007, and gave an inestimable contribution to the prestige and dignity of this Institution.

To the Constitutional Court and, very specially, to the Family of Councillor Artur Maurício, I offer my most sincere condolences.


Aníbal Cavaco Silva"