Article 24 of Law of Evidence

During the course of an action, even before a court of second instance, the court may authorise the joinder of a third party Law Index 678 Home Page Evidence Law Decree-Law No. 39 of 1980 concerning Evidence in Civil and Commercial Matters to compel that party to produce a document in its possession, in the cases and subject to the provisions and formalities stipulated in the preceding articles. It may also order, even of its own motion, the joinder of any administrative authority to provide the information and documents in its possession necessary for the conduct of the action, unless this would prejudice the public interest.