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Professional Legal Assistance

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Civil Procedure in Italy

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Abstract

This chapter describes the legal education and practical training of lawyers, the members and organization of the bar, the attorney-client relationship, and legal aid (2.01–2.07). It also discusses state attorneys (2.08), notaries (2.09), and legal advice by other than franchised lawyers (2.10).

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References

  1. For materials on the bar in France and Germany, see R. B. Schlesinger, Comparative Law Cases and Materials 66–83 (Brooklyn, Foundation Press 1st ed. 1950), and the 2d ed. ed. 1959, at 66–77, 80–88, 203–09, 344–51, 71–76.

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  2. A degree issued by a foreign university may be accepted, subject to confirmation by an Italian university, but will rarely, if ever, be granted full credit. Royal Decree of Aug. 31, 1933, No. 1592.

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  3. The typical law student at the University of Florence follows the following curriculum: First year — Principles of Roman Law, Principles of Private Law, History of Roman Law, Political Economics, Constitutional Law, Philosophy of Law, and History of Italian Law I. Second year — History of Italian Law II, Administrative Law I, Civil Procedure, Taxation and Governmental Finance, Criminal Law I, Roman Law I, Civil Law I, Commercial Law, Labor Law, and one elective. Third year — International Law, Roman Law II, Civil Law II, Civil Law II, Criminal Law II, Administrative Law II, and one elective. Fourth year — Ecclesiastical Law, Criminal Procedure, and one elective. Normally, only one examination is given for courses of two years’ duration.

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  4. On the deficiencies of the law schools and possible remedies, see M. Cappelletti, Studio del diritto e tirocinio professionale in Italia e in Germania 79–126 (Milano, Giuffrè 1957), Span, transl. Estudio del derecho y tirocinio profesional en Italia y Alemania (Buenos Aires, E. J. E.-A. 1959).

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  5. One author estimates that only 18, 112 of 38, 867 law graduates in a recent ten year period entered one of these professions. L. Amirente, Dubbi e riflessioni sul progetto di riordinamento didattico della Facoltà di Giurisprudenza, 13 Iustitia 239, 242 (1960). More significant is the present number of Law students: 46,879 out of a total of 220, 175 university students, in a recent year, The circumstance that 67.8% of these law students were from the economically underdeveloped southern half of Italy indicates that many students law school to acquire a certificate that will be of use to them in obtaining employment in commerce or in government. Employment in engineering and other technical professions is not always easy to obtain in much of central and especially southern italy.

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  6. One author describes law schools as “dignified finishing schools.” A. P. Sereni, The Legal Profession in Italy, 63 Harv. L. Rev. 1000, 1008 (1950).

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  7. A procuratore must be retained in all cases except: (1) before the lowest type of court of first instance (conciliatore); (2) before the next highest court of first instance (the pretore), in the discretion of the judge; (3) if the party is a procuratore qualified to practice in the court in which the action is brought; (4) in actions to obtain welfare benefits; (5) labor cases brought by individuals before the pretore. Codice di procedure civile arts. 82, 86, 462, 436. An avvocato must be retained in proceedings before the highest civil court (Corte di cassazione), except in the proceeding of regolamento di competenza (see 4.33 infra).Codice di procedura civile art. 365, art. 47, para. 1. See 1 P. D’Onofrio, Commento al codice di procedura civile 166 (Torino, UTET 1957). On the distinction between the two professions in the last century, see The Continental Bar, 13 Law Mag. 287, 296–306 (1835). For a history of the Italian bar, see P. Rasi, Avvocati e procuratori (diritto romano) and (diritto intermedio), I Novissimo Digesto italiano (tome 1) 1662, 1663 (Torino, UTET 1958). See also W. L.Burdick, The Bench and Bar in Other Lands 340–45, 356–60 (Brooklyn, Metropolitan Law Book Co. 1939).

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  8. Codice di procedura civile art. 83. For the formalities of authentication of a power of attorney coming from abroad, see 5.01 infra. The word “procuratore” also is used to denote an attorney-in-fact.

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  9. Legislative Decree of May 5, 1947, No. 347.

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  10. Royal Decree Law of Nov. 27, 1933, No. 1578, art. 17.

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  11. The pretura is the court in which the pretore presides. See 3.01.b infra. Discipline of apprentices is governed by Royal Decree Law of Nov. 27, 1933, No. 1578 and Royal Decree of Jan. 22, 1934, No. 37.

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  12. Royal Decree of Aug. 31, 1933, No. 1592.

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  13. M. Cappelletti, op. cit. supra note 4, at 6–7.

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  14. The examination consists of a written portion on the Civil Code, administrative law, and civil and criminal procedures. An oral part covers criminal law and taxation as well as the subjects covered in the written portion. Legislative Decree of the Lieutenant of the Realm of Sept. 7, 1944, No. 215, art. 2.

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  15. Royal Decree Law of Nov. 27, 1933, No. 1578, art. 5. On the validity of a procedura act performed by a procuratore outside his districts, see 1 V. Andrioli, Commento al codice di procedura civile 236–37 (Napoli, Jovene 3d ed. 1954); S. Satta, Forma e sostanza nel ministero del procuratore, VIII Giustizia civile (part I) 522 (1958).

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  16. On the argument of limited versus unlimited admission, see G. Magrone, L’ordine forense 94 (Roma, Foro italiano 1959).

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  17. These and other special avenues of admission are provided for in Royal Decree Law of Nov. 27, 1933, No. 1578, art. 26, as amended by Law of March 23, 1940, No. 254.

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  18. Royal Decree Law of Nov. 27, 1933, No. 1578, art. 29.

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  19. Royal Decree Law of Nov. 27, 1933, No. 1578, art. 30, as amended by Law of March 23, 1940, No. 254, art. 1 (10), (11).

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  20. Royal Decree Law of Nov. 27, 1933, No. 1578, art. 4.

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  21. Royal Decree Law of No.v 27, 1933, No. 1578, arts. 4, 33. The highest courts include the Corte costituzionale, Corte di cassazione, Consiglio di Stato, Corte dei conti, and Tribunale supremo militare.

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  22. Royal Decree Law of Nov. 27, 1933, No. 1578, art. 33(2), as amended by Law of May 28, 1936, No. 1003, art. 1.

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  23. Law of May 28, 1936, No. 1003, art. 3, as implemented by Royal Decree of July 9, 1936, No. 1482.

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  24. Royal Decree Law of Nov. 27, 1933, No. 1578, art. 24, as amended by Law of May 28, 1936, No. 1003, art. 1, para. 2, and Law of March 23, 1940, No. 254, art. 1 (13).

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  25. According to information obtained from the Ministry of Justice and dated December 2, 1960, there are a total of 34,461 avvocati and procuratori of whom approximately 26,000 are avvocati.

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  26. See generally P. Piscione, Ordini e collegi professionali (Milano, Giuffrè 1959). Some private associations of lawyers also exist. For a discussion of their function see, U. Prosperetti, Ordini professionali, sindacati a compiti dei giuristi, 9 Iustitia 31 (1956).

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  27. The structure of the guild is determined by Royal Decree Law of Nov. 27, 1933, No. 1578, art. 14, as amended by Law of March 23, 1940, No. 254, and Legislative Decree of the Lieutenant of the Realm of Nov. 23, 1944, No. 382, and by Legislative Decree of Feb. 26, 1948, No. 174. On the quasi public character of the professions of avvocato and procuratore, see E. Redenti, Profili pratici del diritto processuale civile 336–341 (Milano, Giuffrè 2d ed. 1939); F. Carnelutti, Figura giuridica del difensore, XVII Rivista di diritto processuale civile (part I) 65 (1940); G. Pavanini, Note sulla figura giuridica del difensore, XI Rivista trimestrale di diritto e procedura civile 246 (1957).

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  28. Supra at note 11. However, even in this limited situation the apprentice is subject to the disciplinary powers of the guild and may practice only for four years from the date of graduation. Non-members may also practice before the conciliatore. See 3.01.a infra. State’s attorneys are exempt from membership.

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  29. Hereafter the term “lawyer” will be used in contexts applying equally to an avvocato or procuratore. The term “attorney” will also be used in the same sense.

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  30. Soc. ital. di costruzione e lavori pubblici v. Mengarelli, Corte di cassazione (sez. II), July 14, 1955, No. 2233, CVIII Giurisprudenza italiana (1956) (non-lawyer plaintiff may er cover fee for advising defendant on legal methods of obtaining reduction of workman’s compensation premium); Sassetti v. Capra, Corte di cassazione, Dec. 13, 1952, No. 3182, LIV Repertorio Giurisprudenza italiana, heading: Avvocato e procuratore No. 6 (1952) (plaintiff may revocer fee for legal advice although not qualified as a practicing lawyer); A. Visco, L’avvocato nell’ordinamento professionale e nel processo civile e penale 108 (Bari, da Vinci 1957); F. Carnelutti, Limiti del monopolio degli avvocati, XVII Rivista di diritto processuale civile (part II) 27 (1941).

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  31. Royal Decree Law of Nov. 27, 1933, No. 1578, art. 39.

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  32. To contrast the limited power of the council of the notai, see 2.09.a infra. Other disciplinary sanctions may be, but seldom are, imposed by the courts. Codice di procedura pénale arts. 130, 131; Codice di procedura civile art. 89.

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  33. Royal Decree Law of Nov. 27, 1933, No. 1578, art. 37, para. 1, as amended by Legislative Decree of the Lieutenant of the Realm of Nov. 23, 1944, No. 382.

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  34. Royal Decree Law of Nov. 27, 1933, No. 1578, art. 3.

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  35. On law offices and the desirability of permitting lawyers to form partnerships, see A. Lanza, Società di avvocati, VII Rivista di diritto civile 363 (1961).

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  36. Royal Decree Law of Nov. 27, 1933, No. 1578, art. 3, para. 4 (A). State attorneys also are in a position of employment. See 2.08 infra.

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  37. Codice civile arts. 2229–2238; C. Lega, La libera professione 205–324 (Milano, Giuffrè 2d ed. 1952).

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  38. Codice civile art. 2236; G. Cattaneo. La responsabilità del professionista 175–196 (Milano, Giuffrè 1958); C. Lega, op. cit. supra note 37; P. Calamandrei, Limiti di responsabilità del legale negligente, III Studi sul processo civile 121 (Padova, Cedam 1934); F. Carnelutti, Rimedi contro la negligenza del difensore, X Rivista di diritto processuale civile (part II) 57 (1932).

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  39. Codice civile art. 2232.

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  40. Codice civile art. 2237.

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  41. Codice penale art. 622 provides that anyone who, without just cause, divulges a secret learned by virtue of his profession is punishable by up to one year of imprisonment.

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  42. Codice di procedura penale art. 351; Codice di procedura civile arts. 249, 118. It is unclear whether the privilege not to testify may be waived by the attorney without the consent of his client. See 8.36 infra.

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  43. For fees in civil actions, see Gazzetta ufficiale March 8, 1958 No. 59, For fees in criminal cases and non-litigation matters see Gazzetta ufficiale Dec. 3, 1960, No. 296.

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  44. Law of June 13, 1942, No. 794, art. 24.

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  45. Codice civile art. 2233, para. 3.

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  46. Lo Porto v. I.N.P.S., Corte di cassazione (sez. II), July 8, 1960, No. 1827, CXII Giuris-prudenza italiana (part I, sec. 1) 1092 (1960) (note C. Lega), X Giustizia civile (part I) 1964 (1960) (note E. Ciaccio). This decision reversed a previous holding that continuous retainer contracts must abide by guild schedule of fees. See also F. Carnelutti, Avvocatura e impiego, XII Rivista di diritto processuale (part II) 602 (1958); A. Musatti, Impiego e clientela, LXXX Foro italiano (part I) 827 (1957).

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  47. e.g., “Study of the controversy and consultation with the client” — minimum of 12,000 Lire (roughly $20.00) and a maximum of 40,000 Lire ($64.00). “Argument in open court”-minimum of 10,000 Lire (roughly $16.00) and a maximum of 40,000 Lire ($64.00). These are representative fees in the tribunale, the most important court of first instance.

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  48. The fee for drafting a contract involving $16,000 to $40,000 runs from approximately $100 to approximately $300. But to this must be added separate fees for research, study of the matter, conferences with the client and with third parties.

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  49. A. P. Sereni, op. cit. supra note 6, at 1005.

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  50. See 2.09.b infra.

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  51. Codice civile art. 2235.

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  52. Codice di procedura civile art. 92, para. 1.

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  53. Ministerial Decree of Feb. 28, 1958, art. 7.

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  54. Law of Jan. 8, 1952, No. 6, as amended by Law of July 31, 1956, No. 991.

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  55. Law of Dec. 30, 1923, No. 3282.

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  56. Constitution art. 24, para. 3; Law of Dec. 30, 1923, No. 3282, arts. 20, 14.

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  57. Law of Dec. 30, 1923, No. 3282, art. 20.

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  58. L. Luzzatti, Gratuito patrocinio, III Enciclopedia forense 1033, 1037 (Milano, Vallardi 1958).

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  59. Law of Dec. 30, 1923, No. 3282, arts. 35–38.

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  60. E. Roberg de Laurentiis, La difesa del povero in America (Milano, Giuffrè 1957); A. P. Sereni, op. cit. supra, note 6, at 1006–1007. For a discussion of the Italian system, see T. Ventura, Appunti sul gratuito patrocinio (Milano, Giuffrè 1946); L. Luzzatti, op. cit. supra note 58. A. Ehrenzweig, Book Review, 69 Yale L. J. 363 (1959) writes: “even in the most dictatorial country of the civil-law orbit, the ‘little man,’ in many ways, has had access to the judge and justice more readily and more effectively than in this country.”

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  61. Royal Decree of Oct. 30, 1933, No. 1611, arts. 17–24; Royal Decree of Oct. 30, 1933, No. 1612, arts. 6–8.

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  62. Examinations, promotions, and conditions of employment are governed by the following: Royal Decree of Oct. 30, 1933, No. 1611, arts. 22–42; Royal Decree of Oct. 30, 1933, No. 1612, arts. 9–73; Royal Decree of Sept. 17, 1936, No. 1854, arts. 1–3; Law of June 20, 1955, No. 519, arts. 1–11.

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  63. G. Azzariti, Avvocatura dello Stato, I Enciclopedia forense 646 (Milano, Vallardi 1958); G. Belli, Avvocatura dello Stato, IV Enciclopedia del diritto 670 (Milano, Giuffrè 1959); P. Calamandrei, Gli Avvocati dello Stato e Vinamovibilità, V Studi sul processo civile 277 (Padova, Cedam 1947); F. Menestrina, L’Avvocatura dello Stato in Italia e all’Estero, IX Rivista di diritto processuale civile 201 (1931); S. Scoca, Avvocatura dello Stato, I Novissimo Digesto italiano (tome II) 1685 (Torino, UTET 1958).

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  64. See 5.10 infra.

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  65. See A. L. Del Russo, The Notary Public in the Civil Law of Italy, 20 Geo. Wash. L. Rev. 524, 548 (1952).

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  66. These fall primarily into the class of intra-family transfers of property and donations. e.g., Codice civile art. 782.

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  67. Codice civile art. 2700. See 8.08 infra.

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  68. For the functions of the notaio in matters of giurisdizione voluntaria, see G. Bartolini, Manuale del notaio 639 (Bologna, Calderini 6th ed. 1957). The concept of giurisdizione voluntaria is discussed at 13.05 infra.

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  69. Law of Feb. 16, 1913, No. 89, art. 5.

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  70. Law of Aug. 6, 1926, No. 1365.

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  71. Royal Decree of Nov. 14, 1926, No. 1953.

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  72. Law of Feb. 16, 1913, No. 89, arts. 20, 21, 22. On the liability of the notaio, see M. D’Orazi Flavoni, La responsabilità e le responsabilità del notaio, VII Rivista di diritto civile 332(1961).

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  73. F. Carnelutti, La figura giuridica del notaio, IV Rivista trimestrale di diritto e procedura civile 921 (1950); G. Intersimone, La morale notarile, XI Iustitia 278 (1958); S. Satta, Poesia e verità nella vita del notaio, X Rivista di diritto processuale (part I) 264 (1955).

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  74. Law of Feb. 16, 1913, No. 89.

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  75. Law of Feb. 16, 1913, No. 89, arts. 83–95.

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  76. Law of Aug. 3, 1949, No. 577.

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  77. Law of Nov. 22, 1954, No. 1158. See 2.06 supra, after note 50.

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  78. Art. 1 § 2 (b) of the Treaty of Friensdhip, Commerce and Navigation between the United States and Italy, of Feb. 2, 1948, provides that nationals of either contracting party may, within the territory of the other, “engage in commercial, manufacturing, processing, financial, scientific, educational, religious, philanthropic and professional activities except the practice of law” (italics supplied). T.I.A.S. No. 1965.

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  79. Royal Decree of June 18, 1931, No. 773, arts. 115, 120 (Testo unico delle leggi di pubblica sicurezza); Royal Decree of May 6, 1940, No. 635. A license must be obtained from the questore (chief of police) to open an agenzia d’affari. Such licenses are issued as a matter of course to qualified applicants; however, no case referring to an application for an agenzia d’affari license by a foreign lawyer has been found. See G. Renato, Agenzie di affari, I Enciclopedia del diritto (tome 2) 884, esp. 893, No. 13 (Milano, Giuffrè 1958).

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  80. See A. Lanza, Tutela del segreto professionale dell’avvocato straniero in Italia, XXXVIII Temi 437 (1962). This article is an amplification of an opinion given by its author to the Union Internationale des Avocats.

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Authors
  1. Mauro Cappelletti
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  2. Joseph M. Perillo
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Cappelletti, M., Perillo, J.M. (1965). Professional Legal Assistance. In: Civil Procedure in Italy. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-6273-1_2

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