© 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. Civil Trial under Italian Law: problems and perspectives Prof. Dr. Valentina V. Cuocci Adjunct Professor.

Presentazione sul tema: "© 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. Civil Trial under Italian Law: problems and perspectives Prof. Dr. Valentina V. Cuocci Adjunct Professor."— Transcript della presentazione:

1 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. Civil Trial under Italian Law: problems and perspectives Prof. Dr. Valentina V. Cuocci Adjunct Professor of Comparative Private Law University of Foggia Italy

2 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. Before starting, I would show statistics from Doing Business Report 2010: According to Doing business 2010 for an injuction in Italy (procedura per il recupero dei crediti) the trial takes about 1.210 days; in England 399 days in Germany 394 days in France 331

3 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. According to Italian Ministry of Justice in the 2006 (we do not have more recent data from Ministry) in Italy a civil trial lasts about 985 days; and 861 labour trial. The problem of civil trial is the lenght, the duration.

4 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. Sources of law: Codice di procedura civile (Civil Procedure Code)(1940) emended several times. Among most interesting reforms on italian codice di procedura civile: L. 26 november 1990, n. 353 D. Lgs 31 march 1998, n. 51 D Lgs 31 march 1998, n. 80 D. Lgs 17 genuary 2003, n. 5 l. 14 may 2005, n. 80 l. 24 february 2006, n. 5 l. 18 june 2009, n. 69 d.lgs. 5 marzo 2010, n. 28

5 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. Corte Suprema di Cassazione (Supreme Court) Court of Appeal Giudice Monocratico – Collegio Giudice di Pace

6 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. Giudice di Pace (Justice of Peace) has jurisdiction only for small claims. In Italy there are 846 Giudici di Pace. Justice of Peace are ‘non togati’ judges (they are honorary judges) What is a small claim?

7 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. Under Art. 7 Civil Procedure Code (as emended by 18 june 2009 n. 69). Il giudice di pace è competente per le cause relative a beni mobili di valore non superiore euro 5.000,00 quando dalla legge non sono attribuite alla competenza di altro giudice Il giudice di pace è altresì competente per le cause di risarcimento del danno prodotto dalla circolazione di veicoli e di natanti, purché il valore della controversia non superi euro 20.000,00.

8 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. È competente qualunque ne sia il valore: 1) per le cause relative ad apposizione di termini ed osservanza delle distanze stabilite dalla legge, dai regolamenti o dagli usi riguardo al piantamento degli alberi e delle siepi; 2) per le cause relative alla misura ed alle modalità d’uso dei servizi di condominio di case; 3) per le cause relative a rapporti tra proprietari o detentori di immobili adibiti a civile abitazione in materia di immissioni di fumo o di calore, esalazioni, rumori, scuotimenti e simili propagazioni che superino la normale tollerabilità; 3-bis) per le cause relative agli interessi o accessori da ritardato pagamento di prestazioni previdenziali o assistenziali.

9 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. Giudice di Pace has jurisdiction (for value) 1)disputes concerning movable property (if the value do not exceed EUR 5000.00 when the law shall not be assign to the jurisdiction of another court) 2)Damages from Traffic accident compensation (until EUR 20.000,00).

10 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. Giudice di Pace has jurisdiciotn ratione materie for reasons related to compliance with the terms and affixing distances prescribed by law, regulations or custom on the planting of trees and hedges; for cases concerning the extent and modalities of use of the service building of houses; for disputes concerning the relationship between owners for smoke or heat, fumes, noise, vibration and similar propagation that exceeds the normal tolerance in disputes relating late payment of social security benefits or welfare.

11 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. There are in Italy 389 District Courts (Tribunali) Giudice monocratico (Single Judge) and (Collegio)Panel of 3 Judges

12 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. Art. 50-bis. Codice di procedura civile (Cause nelle quali il tribunale giudica in composizione collegiale) Il tribunale giudica in composizione collegiale: 1)nelle cause nelle quali e` obbligatorio l'intervento del pubblico ministero, salvo che sia altrimenti disposto; 2) nelle cause di opposizione, impugnazione, revocazione e in quelle conseguenti a dichiarazioni tardive di crediti di cui al regio decreto 16 marzo 1942, n. 267, [al decreto legge 30 gennaio 1979, n. 26, convertito con modificazioni dalla legge 3 aprile 1979, n. 95] ( 1 ) e alle altre leggi speciali disciplinanti la liquidazione coatta amministrativa; 3) nelle cause devolute alle sezioni specializzate; 4) nelle cause di omologazione del concordato fallimentare e del concordato preventivo;

13 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. 5) nelle cause di impugnazione delle deliberazioni dell'assemblea e del consiglio di amministrazione, nonche` nelle cause di responsabilita` da chiunque promosse contro gli organi amministrativi e di controllo, i direttori generali, i dirigenti preposti alla redazione dei documenti contabili societari ( 2 ) e i liquidatori delle società, delle mutue assicuratrici e società cooperative, delle associazioni in partecipazione e dei consorzi; 6) nelle cause di impugnazione dei testamenti e di riduzione per lesione di legittima;

14 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. 7) nelle cause di cui alla legge 13 aprile 1988, n. 117. 7-bis) nelle cause di cui all'articolo 140-bis del codice del consumo, di cui al decreto legislativo 6 settembre 2005, n. 206 ( 3 )Il tribunale giudica altresì in composizione collegiale nei procedimenti in camera di consiglio disciplinati dagli articoli 737 e seguenti, salvo che sia altrimenti disposto.

15 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. Art. 50-bis. Codice di procedura civile (Cause nelle quali il tribunale giudica in composizione collegiale). The court judges on a panel: 1)in cases where is required the presence of the public prosecutor, unless otherwise specified; 2) In the cases of opposition, appeal, revision, and in later statements of expenses resulting from claims by Royal Decree of 16 March 1942 No 267 [January 30, 1979 Decree Law, No 26, converted with amendments into law April 3, 1979, No 95] (1); 3) in cases devoted to specialized sections;

16 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. 4) in cases of bankruptcy ; 5) in cases of appeal of the resolutions of the board of directors of companies, joint ventures, consortia 6) in cases of appeal of wills

17 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. 7) in the cases referred to the Law of 13 April 1988, No 117. 7-a) in cases referred to in Article 140-bis (class action) of Consumer Code, referred to in Legislative Decree 6 September 2005, No 206 (3) The court also ruled on a panel in proceedings in chambers covered by Articles 737 and following, unless otherwise specified.

18 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. The single Judge (Tribunale in composizione monocatrica o Giudice monocratico) has jurisdiction in cases not coverd under article 50 bis c.p.c

19 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. In Italy there are 29 Courts of Appeal Court of Appel (is composed by a panel of judges) there is no jury A request made after a trial by a party that has lost on one or more issues that a higher court review the decision to determine if it was correct. The party that has lost one or more issues has the right to make an appeal to Court of Appeal.

20 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. The Italian procedural system enhances the right to appeal and recourse. With respect to the civil procedural law it must be pointed out that any decision issued by a first instance judge can be appealed to the Court of Appeal

21 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. Corte di Cassazione is the Supreme Court Art. 360. (Sentenze impugnabili e motivi di ricorso) Le sentenze pronunciate in grado d'appello o in unico grado possono essere impugnate con ricorso per cassazione: 1) per motivi attinenti alla giurisdizione; 2) per violazione delle norme sulla competenza, quando non e' prescritto il regolamento di competenza; 3) per violazione o falsa applicazione di norme di diritto e dei contratti e accordi collettivi nazionali di lavoro; 4) per nullita' della sentenza o del procedimento; 5) per omessa, insufficiente o contraddittoria motivazione circa un fatto controverso e decisivo per il giudizio.

22 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. Puo' inoltre essere impugnata con ricorso per cassazione una sentenza appellabile del tribunale, se le parti sono d'accordo per omettere l'appello; ma in tale caso l'impugnazione puo' proporsi soltanto a norma del primo comma, n. 3. Non sono immediatamente impugnabili con ricorso per cassazione le sentenze che decidono di questioni insorte senza definire, neppure parzialmente, il giudizio. Il ricorso per cassazione avverso tali sentenze puo' essere proposto, senza necessita' di riserva, allorche' sia impugnata la sentenza che definisce, anche parzialmente, il giudizio. Le disposizioni di cui al primo comma e terzo comma si applicano alle sentenze ed ai provvedimenti diversi dalla sentenza contro i quali e' ammesso il ricorso per cassazione per violazione di legge.

23 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. Under Article 360 the Supreme Court has jurisdiction. (Judgments appeal and grounds of appeal to the Supreme Court) The judgments on appeal or in one instance may be challenged in recourse to the Supreme Court: 1) on grounds of jurisdiction; 2) for violation of rules of jurisdiction and competence; 3) for violation or misapplication of rules of law, statutes, and national collective agreements and contracts of employment; 4) for nullity 'of the decision or process; 5) for failure, insufficient or contradictory reasoning about a controversial and decisive fact for the trial. (omissis)

24 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. Can also be challenged by appeal to appeal a ruling of the court, if the parties agree to omit the call, but in this case, the recourse can propose only under the first paragraph, no 3. Against which are not immediately appeal the judgments that decide issues that have arisen without defining, even partially, the trial. The appeal against such decisions can 'be proposed, requires no' spare, IF 'is contested final judgment, even partially, the trial. The provisions referred to in the first and third subparagraphs apply to judgments and to measures other than the ruling against them and admitted

25 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. Civil Trial under Italian Law

26 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. Italian civil trial Civil Trial (processo di cognizione ordinario) Labour Trial (rito del lavoro)

27 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. There are two different model of civil trial: Adversarial and non adversarial model. Each model reflects different ideology and culture. Note that the traditional distinction is between adversarial and inquisitory (così J.H. Merryman, R. Perez Pérdomo, The civil law tradition: an introduction to the legal systems of Europe and Latin America, Palo Alto, 2007) but inquisitory is more suitable for criminal trial than for civil. For this reason i will speak about non adversarial trial which is more suitable for civil trial (M.Taruffo, Il processo civile di civil law e di common law: aspetti fondamentali, in Foro it., 2001, 345)

28 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. Adversial (typical of common law systems) reflects the ideal of laissez fair and therefore allows plaintiff and defendant to manage the trial. The Judge has a no powers of initiative but he has a supervising role. The Judge has a neutral role. The legal system in the United States (in general Common law systems) is known as an adversary system. In this system, the parties to a controversy develop and present their arguments, gather and submit evidence, call and question witnesses, and, within the confines of certain rules, control the process. The fact finder, usually a judge or jury, remains neutral and passive throughout the proceeding.

29 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. One criticism of the adversary system is that it is slow. The judge, acting as a neutral fact finder, can do little to accelerate a trial, and procedural and evidentiary rules further slow the process. Likewise, the wide availability of appellate review means that a final determination can take years. However, at least one study has shown that in courts where adversarial trials were discouraged and settlements actively encouraged, litigants still encountered substantial delays in resolution. And supporters of the adversary system maintain that a methodical, albeit cumbersome, system is necessary for protection of individual rights.

30 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. Some feel that because the parties control the litigation, they are encouraged to present only the evidence that is favorable to them and to suppress evidence that is unfavorable. Criticism of attorneys abounds. Some feel that the lawyers' ethics code encourages zealous representation at the expense of truth. Some even say that the RULES OF EVIDENCE, designed to guarantee fairness to all parties, actually work against fairness by preventing important information from being presented to the fact finder.

31 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. Critics pose some disturbing questions about the adversary system: Is justice served by a process that is more concerned with resolving controversies than with finding the ultimate truth? Is it possible for people with limited resources to enjoy the same access to legal services as do wealthy people? Does a system that puts a premium on winning encourage chicanery, manipulation, and deception?

32 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. Academics (Michele Taruffo,voce diritto processuale nei Paesi anglosassoni, in Digesto delle Discipline privatistiche, IV, Torino, 1990, 324-410) have criticized the adversary model because is a “moltiplicatore delle disuguaglianze” that is to say that the poor party cannot bear the expences of the trial and of the evidence.

33 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. A. Kessler, Our Inquisitorial Tradition: Equity Procedure, Due Process, and the Search for an Alternative to the Adversarial, 90 Cornell L. Rev. 1181 (2004-2005)

34 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved.

35 Non adversarial model (civil law tradition prefers non adversarial model) reflects an idea of distributive justice (Distributive justice is concerned with the fair allocation of resources among diverse members of a community. One of the simplest principles of distributive justice is that of strict or radical equality. The principle says that every person should have the same level of material goods and services. The principle is most commonly justified on the grounds that people are owed equal respect and that equality in material goods and services is the best way to give effect to this ideal). In the non adversarial model the judge has to power to coordinate the trial and has also power of investigation.

36 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. Justice of the Peace The procedure before the Justice of the Peace is governed by special provisions (Article 316 ff. of the Code of Civil Procedure), which partly draw their inspiration from the provisions governing the procedure before the "giudici conciliatori" (who are replaced by the justice of the peace). The procedure is a simplified one in that: an action may be brought also in the form of a simple declaration before the judge, who will keep a record and summon the parties (time limits for attendance have been halved, as compared with the norm);

37 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. - at the hearing, the justice of the peace listens to the parties and tries to achieve conciliation; if the parties come to an agreement, this is entered in the record, which is enforceable; - if conciliation fails, the justice of the peace invites the parties to set out the facts, produce documents and, where relevant, proof; - a second hearing may be scheduled only if circumstances so require; the judgement must be handed down within 15 days of the hearing.

38 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. Ordinary proceedings (processo ordinario di cognizione) before Tribunal (Giudice Monocratico and Collegio) is made up of three parts: Introduzione – Trattazione Istruttoria (under us law this phase is called pre-trial) in Italy fase istruttoria is the core of the proceeding. Decisione (conclusion and judgement)

39 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. Libro secondo: DEL PROCESSO DI COGNIZIONE Titolo I: DEL PROCEDIMENTO DAVANTI AL TRIBUNALE Capo I: DELL'INTRODUZIONE DELLA CAUSA Introduzione: The atto di citazione is made by summons to a hearing. Between the date of the service of the summons and the day of the hearing must be not less than ninety days if the place is in Italy and one hundred and fifty days if the party is abroad.

40 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. The summons must include under article 163 Codice di Procedura civile Art. 163. (Contenuto della citazione) La domanda si propone mediante citazione a comparire a udienza fissa. Il presidente del tribunale stabilisce al principio dell'anno giudiziario, con decreto approvato dal primo presidente della corte di appello, i giorni della settimana e le ore delle udienze destinate esclusivamente alla prima comparizione delle parti.

41 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. L’atto di citazione deve contenere ai sensi dell’art. 163: 1) l’indicazione del tribunale davanti al quale la domanda è proposta; 2) il nome, il cognome, la residenza e il codice fiscale dell'attore, ( 1 ) il nome, il cognome, il codice fiscale, la residenza o il domicilio o la dimora del convenuto e delle persone che rispettivamente li rappresentano o li assistono. ( 2 ) Se attore o convenuto è una persona giuridica, un’associazione non riconosciuta o un comitato la citazione deve contenere la denominazione o la ditta, con l’indicazione dell’organo o ufficio che ne ha la rappresentanza in giudizio; 3) la determinazione della cosa oggetto della domanda; 4) l’esposizione dei fatti e degli elementi di diritto costituenti le ragioni della domanda, con le relative conclusioni; 5) l’indicazione specifica dei mezzi di prova dei quali l’attore intende valersi e in particolare dei documenti che offre in comunicazione;

42 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. 6) il nome e il cognome del procuratore e l’indicazione della procura, qualora questa sia stata già rilasciata; 7) l’indicazione del giorno dell’udienza di comparizione; l’invito al convenuto a costituirsi nel termine di venti giorni prima dell’udienza indicata ai sensi e nelle forme stabilite dall’art. 166, ovvero di dieci giorni prima in caso di abbreviazione dei termini, e a comparire, nell’udienza indicata, dinanzi al giudice designato ai sensi dell’art. 168- bis, con l’avvertimento che la costituzione oltre i suddetti termini implica le decadenze di cui agli artt. 38 e 167. ( 3 ) L'atto di citazione, sottoscritto a norma dell'art. 125, è consegnato dalla parte o dal procuratore all'ufficiale giudiziario, il quale lo notifica a norma degli artt. 137 ss.

43 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. The atto di citazione (summons) must indicate: The judge The name, the surname and the address of the Plaintiff and of the defendant. The object of the trial The facts The documents and the evidence The name and surname of the attorney at law The day of the hearing The conclusion

44 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. The defendant must be represented by an attorney at law or in person where permitted by law, at least twenty days before the hearing scheduled to appear indicated in the summons, or at least ten days before in the case of shortening of terms under the second paragraph of Article 163-bis, or at least twenty days before the hearing fixed in accordance with Article 168- bis, fifth paragraph, (2) lodged on his file that contains the occurrence referred to in Article 167 with the copy of the summons notified, and the power of attorney document.

45 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. The first hearing (art. 183 codice di procedura civile) (Prima comparizione delle parti e trattazione della causa) The Judge verifies formal requirements. The Judge invites the parties to set out the facts. Parties discuss orally their issues under the supervision of the judge (or judges). The Judge allows parties to request evidence, proof, and deposit documents.

46 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. The judge admits evidence only if evidence are relevant. Once admitted, there are other hearings to hear a witness, confession, etc. The number of hearings depends on the numbers of evidence.

47 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. Evindences under italian civil trial 1)Consulenza tecnica: the court has no technical skills so judge can entrust to an expert 2)Testimonianza witness (scritta e orale) 3)Confession 4) documents signed by a notary public is a full proof otherwise, if the document is not signed, judge is free to evaluate or assess the documents 5) There are also other evidences but these are the most important

48 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. Conclusion (precisazione delle conclusioni) and judgment.

49 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. There are news for italian lawyers. l. 18 june 2009, n. 69 enhances alternative dispute resolution (adr) in order to reduce the number of claims and in particular small claims. Under l. 18 june 2009, n. 69 is mandatory ADR before suing for: Loan; insurance and bank contracts; lease.

50 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. Italian Bar Association is not happy with this mandatory ADR system because this is not a way to cut the number of claims or the accelerate the process. Mandatory ADR is only a way to prolong or extend the length of the process. Italian Bar Association says that this law is unconstitutional because limits the right to brought an action. The Italian Constitutional Court has not yet decided the issue.

51 © 2010. Valentina V. Cuocci. All rights reserved. Valentina V. Cuocci University of Foggia v.cuocci@unifg.it