COOKIE POLICY

1. INTRODUCTION AND CONCEPT

1.1. DEFINITION

Cookies are small text files that a website places on the user’s device (computer, tablet or smartphone) when the user accesses and browses its pages. These files allow the website to recognise the user’s device, remember certain actions or preferences, and improve functionality, security and browsing experience.

1.2. SCOPE

For the purposes of this Cookie Policy, the term “cookies” also includes other storage or tracking technologies that may be used by this website, including but not limited to pixels, tags, web beacons, unique identifiers, SDKs and browser local storage. All these technologies are used for similar purposes, such as ensuring essential functionalities, obtaining metrics or analysing usage patterns.

1.3. COMPLIANCE COMMITMENT

The Melanda.law website is committed to ensuring that the use of cookies and related technologies fully complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Law No. 58/2019, which implements it in Portugal, as well as any applicable sectoral rules and the guidelines issued by the Portuguese Data Protection Authority (CNPD). The collection and processing of personal data through these technologies are carried out only on an appropriate legal basis and in accordance with the principles of transparency, minimisation and security.

2. CLASSIFICATION AND TYPES OF COOKIES

To ensure full transparency regarding how this website uses cookies and similar technologies, these are classified according to their origin, purpose and duration. The definitions below are intended to help the user understand the characteristics of each category and to properly exercise their consent choices.

2.1. CLASSIFICATION BY ORIGIN

2.1.1. FIRST-PARTY COOKIES

These are installed directly by the domain of the website that the user is visiting. They ensure essential functionalities and enhance the browsing experience within the website itself.

2.1.2. THIRD-PARTY COOKIES

These are installed by domains other than the website being visited, generally associated with external services such as analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics), social media integrations or advertising platforms. These entities may process data collected through these technologies for their own purposes, in accordance with their respective privacy policies.

2.2. CLASSIFICATION BY PURPOSE

2.2.1. NECESSARY OR TECHNICAL COOKIES (EXEMPT FROM CONSENT)

Purpose: These cookies enable the basic functioning of the website and ensure its security. They include, for example, session management cookies, authentication, fraud prevention, load balancing, or the temporary storage of essential actions (such as items in a shopping cart).

Legality: They do not require the user’s prior consent but must be clearly and accessibly disclosed.

2.2.2. PREFERENCE OR FUNCTIONALITY COOKIES

Purpose: They store information related to the user’s preferences, allowing the website to adapt to their use, such as language selection, region, accessibility, or other personalised settings.

Legality: They depend on the user’s consent, as they are not strictly necessary for the website’s basic operation.

2.2.3. ANALYTICS OR PERFORMANCE COOKIES

Purpose: These cookies collect statistical data on website usage in order to measure performance, identify the most visited pages, analyse navigation patterns or detect errors.

Legality: They require user consent unless the data is fully anonymised, eliminating any possibility of direct or indirect identification of the user.

2.2.4. BEHAVIOURAL ADVERTISING OR MARKETING COOKIES

Purpose: They enable the creation of user profiles based on browsing behaviour, allowing personalised advertising, remarketing and the evaluation of campaign effectiveness on third-party websites or platforms.

Legality: These cookies require the user’s explicit and informed consent due to their intrusive nature and potential privacy impact.

2.3. CLASSIFICATION BY DURATION

2.3.1. SESSION COOKIES

These remain active only for the duration of the browsing session and are automatically deleted when the user closes their browser.

2.3.2. PERSISTENT COOKIES

These remain stored on the user’s device for a predefined period, which may vary depending on their specific purpose. Once this period expires, they are automatically deleted.

3. SPECIFIC LIST OF COOKIES USED

In compliance with the information obligations established under the GDPR and applicable Portuguese legislation, this website provides users with a detailed description of the cookies and similar technologies used. The information includes the name of the cookie, the owner (first-party or third-party), its specific purpose, the data collected and the retention period.

3.1. NECESSARY COOKIES (ALSO CALLED TECHNICAL OR ESSENTIAL COOKIES)

• Cookie Name: melandalaw_cookie_consent
• Owner (First-Party / Third-Party): First-Party
• Specific Purpose: Used to store the user's cookie consent preferences.
• Data Collected: Cookie consent preference ID.
• Retention Period: 1 year

• Cookie Name: melandalaw_session
• Owner (First-Party / Third-Party): First-Party
• Specific Purpose: Used to identify the user’s browsing session.
• Data Collected: Session ID (automatically generated).
• Retention Period: 2 hours

• Cookie Name: XSRF-TOKEN
• Owner (First-Party / Third-Party): First-Party
• Specific Purpose: Protects both the user and our website from cross-site request forgery attacks (CSRF).
• Data Collected: Token ID (automatically generated).
• Retention Period: 2 hours

3.2. ANALYTICS COOKIES (ALSO CALLED ANALYTICAL OR PERFORMANCE COOKIES)

• Cookie Name: _ga
• Owner (First-Party / Third-Party): Third-Party (Google Analytics)
• Specific Purpose: Main cookie used by Google Analytics; enables the service to distinguish one visitor from another.
• Data Collected: Token ID (automatically generated).
• Retention Period: 2 years

• Cookie Name: ga(…unique random code…)
• Owner (First-Party / Third-Party): Third-Party (Google Analytics)
• Specific Purpose: Used by Google Analytics to uniquely identify session status and differentiate between users and sessions.
• Data Collected: Token ID (automatically generated).
• Retention Period: 2 years

• Cookie Name: _gid
• Owner (First-Party / Third-Party): Third-Party (Google Analytics)
• Specific Purpose: Used by Google Analytics to identify the user.
• Data Collected: Token ID (automatically generated).
• Retention Period: 1 day

• Cookie Name: _gat
• Owner (First-Party / Third-Party): Third-Party (Google Analytics)
• Specific Purpose: Used by Google Analytics to limit the rate of requests.
• Data Collected: Token ID (automatically generated).
• Retention Period: 1 minute

4. MECHANISMS FOR MANAGING AND OBTAINING CONSENT

This website uses a consent management system that enables users to accept, refuse or configure the use of cookies in a clear and transparent manner, in accordance with the applicable legal requirements. Consent is obtained prior to the installation of any non-essential cookies, thereby ensuring compliance with the “opt-in” principle.

4.1. COOKIE BANNER (INITIAL NOTICE)

The initial notice displayed to users upon their first visit to the website provides concise information regarding the use of cookies and requests the corresponding consent.

Mandatory elements of the banner:
Buttons of equal prominence allowing the user to:
• “Accept all” cookies,
• “Reject all” non-essential cookies, or
• “Manage preferences”, enabling configuration of specific categories.

Clear and immediate information, including:
• a notice that certain cookies require the user’s prior consent,
• a direct link to this Cookie Policy, where the purposes and categories used are detailed.

4.2. OPT-IN PRINCIPLE

This website fully complies with the principle of prior and active consent, as required under the GDPR and guidelines issued by the CNPD. Accordingly:

• No non-essential cookies (including preference, analytics or marketing cookies) are installed before the user has provided a positive and unequivocal choice.

• Silence, inactivity, continued browsing or the use of pre-selected options do not constitute valid consent.

• Consent is recorded and stored for the period strictly necessary to demonstrate its validity and may be periodically renewed in line with recommended best practices.

4.3. COOKIE SETTINGS TOOL

The website provides a tool enabling users to manage their privacy preferences regarding cookies at any time.

This tool allows users to:
Activate or deactivate cookies by category, including:
• functionality cookies,
• analytics or performance cookies,
• advertising or marketing cookies.

Modify or withdraw consent at any time, through:
• a permanent icon visible on the website, or
• a link available in the footer (“Manage Cookies” or equivalent).

Changes made by the user take effect immediately and do not affect the lawfulness of processing carried out based on previously provided consent.

5. MANAGEMENT OF COOKIES THROUGH THE BROWSER

In addition to the options provided by this website, the user may independently manage cookies directly through their browser settings. Most browsers allow users to view, block, delete, or limit the use of cookies, including the possibility of completely preventing their installation.

5.1. GENERAL DEACTIVATION

Most modern browsers allow the user to:
• block all cookies;
• delete cookies already stored on the device;
• configure specific rules per website;
• or enable private browsing modes that reduce the installation of persistent cookies.

The total deactivation of cookies may affect the proper functioning of certain features of this website or other websites visited.

5.2. LINKS TO HELP PAGES OF THE MAIN BROWSERS

For the user’s convenience, below are links to the support pages of the most commonly used browsers, where detailed instructions on cookie management can be found:

· Google Chrome: “Settings Menu” > “Privacy and security” > “Third-party cookies” or search online: Chrome Cookies

· Mozilla Firefox: “Tools Menu” > “Preferences” > “Privacy” or search online: Firefox Cookies

· Microsoft Edge: “Settings Menu > Privacy, search and services” > “Cookies” or consult: Microsoft Edge Cookies

· Apple Safari (macOS and iOS): “Edit Menu” > “Preferences” > “Privacy” or search online: Apple Safari Cookies

· Opera Browser: “Settings Menu” > “Privacy and security” > “Cookies” or search online: Opera Cookies at the website allaboutcookies.org

Note: These links should be updated whenever the browser provider modifies its support content or settings.

6. CONSEQUENCES OF REFUSING COOKIES

6.1. IMPACT ON BROWSING

The user may, at any time, choose to refuse the use of non-essential cookies or disable certain categories. However, it is important to clearly and fairly inform the user that such a choice may affect their browsing experience on this website.

In particular:

• Refusing functionality cookies may limit certain personalised preferences, such as language settings, accessibility options, or display configurations.

• Certain sections or features of the website may not operate optimally or may become unavailable if cookies essential to those services are disabled in the browser.

• Refusing analytics or marketing cookies does not affect access to the main content but may reduce the personalisation or relevance of the information displayed.

The website will remain fully accessible, and no essential functionality will be restricted due to the lack of consent for non-essential cookies.

7. CONTACT AND POLICY UPDATES

7.1. CONTACT FOR CLARIFICATIONS

For any questions regarding the use of cookies, similar technologies, or the privacy practices adopted by this website, the user may contact us at: geral@melanda.law

We will respond promptly and in accordance with applicable legal obligations relating to the protection of personal data.

7.2. DATE OF LAST UPDATE

This Cookie Policy is reviewed periodically to ensure compliance with applicable legislation and with the guidance issued by the supervisory authority.

Last update: 03/Nov/2025.