Coronavirus: impact on litigation in Italy

Updated on 08.04.2020 (Decree-Law no. 23/2020)

• The deadlines set forth in civil and criminal proceedings are suspended from 9 March 2020 until 11 May 2020. This also includes the deadlines for the introduction of judgments and appeals. It is not clear, however, whether it also applies to the deadlines granted for the execution of precautionary measures (e.g. search or seizure orders); it is therefore advisable to apply to the Court for the setting of the new deadline.

• Civil and criminal hearings originally set between 9 March 2020 and 11 May 2020 are postponed to a date after 11 May 2020. In practice, the Courts will send the parties the communication with the new hearing date. Failing this, it is possible to apply to the Court for the setting of the new hearing.

• Civil hearings scheduled between April 16 and June 30, 2020 may be held via the internet. In practice, Courts will send the connection details to the parties’ defenders via Skype or Microsoft Teams.

Elena Martini – elena.martini@martinimanna.com