The Court of first instance of Milan issued an interesting decision addressing the relationship between counterclaims and objection to the Court’s jurisdiction raised by the counter-claimant (decision No. 10728 of 21 November 2019, Italian text available here).
Read more “Counterclaims and objection to Court’s jurisdiction”
The Court of first instance of Salerno recently heard a complex corporate case and its decision (No. 3296 of 21 October 2019, Italian text available here), together with the decision issued by the Court of Appeal of Salerno with reference to the same dispute (No. 1311 of 14 September 2018, Italian text available here), provides the perfect opportunity to carry out a brief analysis of the issues concerning “irrituale” arbitration in corporate matters, that is to say the relationship between the “irrituale” arbitration as governed by Italian Code of Civil Procedure and arbitration in corporate matters under Italian Legislative Decree No. 5 of 17 January 2003 .
As a matter of fact, Italian law provides for two different kinds of arbitration proceedings: on the one hand, “regular” (“rituale”) arbitration, resulting in an enforceable award; on the other hand, “irrituale” arbitration, whose award has the effect of a binding contract.
In addition, “irrituale” arbitration has certain other peculiarities: concerning, for instance, the recourse for its setting aside.
The arbitration clause, in Italian jurisdiction as well as in a number of other jurisdictions, does not constitute an ancillary clause of the underlying contract. On the contrary, it constitutes a separate contract with procedural effects. This principle is usually referred to as separability doctrine.
Under Italian law, this doctrine, based on Article 808 of the Italian Code of Civil Procedure (whereby “The validity of the arbitration clause must be evaluated independently of the underlying contract“), is only derogated in bankruptcy matters (under Article 83-bis of Italian bankruptcy law: I have examined the issue in this post).
This doctrine must also be taken into account if an agreement to agree (which is valid and enforceable under Italian law, and it is quite common in construction and conveyancing) is entered into, containing an arbitration clause, and the subsequent agreement does not contain the arbitration clause. I have already examined this topic a few years ago (in this post). Nonetheless, in the light of its relevance, also from a practical point of view, I consider that it is appropriate to examine it again. The opportunity to do so is offered by a recent decision issued by the Court of Appeal of Brescia (decision No. 1474 of 10 October 2019, Italian text available here).
A recent decision issued by the Italian Supreme Court (Italian Supreme Court, I Civil Chamber, decision No. 24444 of 30 September 2019, Italian text available here) concerns the Arbitral Tribunals’ jurisdiction over claims raised by the bankruptcy receiver.
I consider this topic of great interest: I already examined it in the past (for example in this post) and in a few days it will be discussed during a debate organised by Milan Arbitration Chamber.
The said decision is also interesting because it summarised the general principles of the matter and applied them to a very peculiar case that had not been heard in previous reported judgments. This peculiar case is the claim that the bankruptcy receiver may raise under Article 150 of Italian bankruptcy law currently in force: the receiver is entitled to request the Court to issue an order for payment (under Italian law, an ex parte order) towards the shareholders of the bankrupt company with respect to the overdue capital contribution.
In the previous post, I examined a decision, regarding arbitration and contractual restitutions, that in my opinion is not correct. On the basis of theoretical principles and in accordance with the case-law of the Supreme Court, this decision is in contrast with the favor arbitrati of Italian law.
I have therefore researched Italian State Courts decision on a very narrow (but interesting) issue: that concerning arbitration of claims under Article 1669 of the Italian Civil Code; that is to say, non-contractual claims connected to a contractual relationship. At the end of my research, I found that some State Courts maintain that Arbitral tribunals have jurisdiction over these claims (Court of Appeal of Catania, decision No. 820 of 10 April 2019, Italian text available here; and Court of Appeal of Bologna, decision No. 2453 of 5 October 2018, Italian text available here). And they do so even though the Italian Supreme Court laid down principles leading to the opposite conclusion (Italian Supreme Court, II Civil Chamber, decision No. 1674 of 3 February 2012, Italian text available here; and Italian Supreme Court, II Civil Chamber, decision No. 4035 of 15 February 2017, Italian text available here) .
A recent decision issued by the Court of first instance of Milan (decision No. 7884 of 22 August 2019, Italian text available here) concerns the relationship between contractual restitutions and arbitration.
The Italian Supreme Court has recently upheld its doctrine on the circulation of the arbitration clause in case of credit assignment (Italian Supreme Court, First Civil Chamber, decision No. 16127 of 14 June 2019, Italian text available here).
I have already examined this topic (in this post); nonetheless, in the light of its relevance, I believe that it is worth re-examining it.
The wording of the arbitration clause is of utmost importance: this is a subject I have already dealt with (for instance in this post). A recent decision of the Court of Appeal of Milan (No. 2528 of 10 June 2019, Italian text available here) confirms this importance also with respect to the possible recourse for setting aside the award.
Read more “Wording of the arbitration clause and setting aside of the award”
A recent decision issued by the Court of Cosenza (no. 1171 of 4 June 2019, Italian text available here) addresses the topic of the scope of corporate arbitration clauses.
A recent decision of the Court of Appeal of Catanzaro (no. 1478 of 22 September 2016, Italian text available here) sums up the current doctrine of arbitrability of corporate disputes.
Browsing this website you accept the use of cookies. more info
PRIVACY POLICY
The following information is provided in accordance with Article 13 of Regulation (EU) 679/2018 ("GDPR"), to users who access the services available at https://www.arbitrationinitaly.com (“Site”). When consulting the Site, information concerning users may be collected that constitutes personal data under the Privacy Code. This information is provided exclusively for the Site and does not affect any other web sites accessible by the user through links provided on the same.
DATA CONTROLLER AND DATA PROCESSOR
Data Controller (Titolare del trattamento) is Arbitration in Italy Ltd, a company incorporated under English law, registered at No. 12459814, with registered office in 61 Bridge Street, Kington, HR5 3DJ, UK ("Company"). Data Processor (Responsabile del trattamento) is the Company's present legal representative.
PLACE OF DATA PROCESSING
The processing of data related to the web services on this Site is carried out at the premises of the Company set out above and is performed by internal personnel duly appointed as Persons in charge of processing (Incaricati del trattamento).
TYPES OF DATA PROCESSED
Surfing Data
During the normal operation, the computer systems and software procedures used to operate the Site acquire some personal data whose transmission is implicit in the communication protocols of the Internet.
This information is not collected to be associated with identified persons, but by its very nature could, through processing and association with data held by third parties, allow identification of users.
This category of data includes IP addresses or domain names of computers used by users who connect to the Site, URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) of requested resources, the time of the request, the method used to submit the request to the server, the size of the file obtained in reply, the numerical code indicating the status of the response from the server (successful, error, etc.) and other parameters regarding the operating system and computer environment.
These data are used only to obtain statistical information about the site and its use and to check its correct functioning and are deleted immediately after processing. The data could be used to ascertain responsibility in the event of possible computer crimes committed against the Site: except in this case, the data on web contacts are kept for a maximum period of seven days.
Data provided voluntarily by the user
The sending of optional, explicit and voluntary e-mails to addresses shown on this Site, and the filling in of forms specifically provided involve the subsequent acquisition of the sender’s e-mail address and the additional personal data provided in the electronic communication, together with the sender/user’s data necessary to respond to requests as well as to provide the service. Specific summary information will be provided in relation to specific services.
COOKIES
Cookies are data files which some websites, while visited, can send to the user with the scope of tracing its path inside the site and collect data in anonymous form, in order to enhance the offer and the use of the site.
The Company does not use information technology for the direct acquisition of personal data by which the user can be identified. Cookies for the transmission of personal information or systems for the tracing of users are not used.
The Company uses so-called technical cookies only with the scope of rendering browsing the Site possible and to make it possible for the user to use its functions. Some technical cookies are necessary in order to optimize the use and have the user accredit itself with the Site, for example in order to enter a restricted area (so-called browser cookie). The browsing cookies are session cookies and are deactivated automatically once the browser is closed. For the installation of these cookies it is not necessary to collect the consent of the user.
The Company uses furthermore analytic cookies of thirds parties by which information on the interaction of the visitor with the content of the Site is obtained (most frequently used pages, time of use, etc.) and which thereby provide statistic information which makes it possible to optimize the Site and to enhance its use.
OPTIONAL DISCLOSURE OF DATA
Unless specified for surfing data, the user is free to provide personal information in the application forms or otherwise indicate them in order to request any information packs or other communications. Failure to provide personal information may, however, make it impossible to fulfill the request.
MODALITY OF PROCESSING
Personal data are processed by automated tools for the time necessary to achieve the purposes for which they were collected. Specific security measures have been taken to prevent loss of data, unlawful or incorrect use and unauthorized access.
PURPOSE OF PROCESSING - COMMUNICATION AND DISSEMINATION OF DATA
The personal information provided by users who request dispatch of information packs or rendering of services is used only to provide the service requested and may be disclosed to Company’s employees and consultants, duly appointed as Persons in charge of processing, as well as third parties that render ancillary or instrumental services to the activity of the Company and which are appointed as Data Controllers. There will not be any other communication of data to third parties, except upon request of public authorities. The data collected will not be disseminated.
RIGHTS OF DATA SUBJECTS
Data subjects are entitled, pursuant to Article 12 of the GDPR, to obtain, at any time, confirmation of the existence of the data and to know their origin, verify their accuracy or request their integration, updating or correction. Pursuant to this article data subjects shall have the right to request cancellation, anonymization or blocking of data processed in violation of the law, and in any case, to object on legitimate grounds to their processing. Requests should be sent to the Data Processor, at the above address or by email to privacy@arbitratoinitalia.it.