Commentary on Order No. 10164 of 2024: Appeals and Legal Costs

Recently, the Court of Cassation issued Order No. 10164 on April 16, 2024, providing an important interpretation regarding the procedure for the expedited decision of appeals, pursuant to Article 380-bis of the Italian Code of Civil Procedure. This ruling is crucial for understanding the consequences of appeals and the management of legal costs when one of the parties decides not to pursue their appeal.

The Context of the Ruling

In the context of a dispute between L. (S.) and T. (L.), the Court had to address a case where a request for a decision had been filed by only one of the parties. The central point of the issue was the fate of the unpursued incidental appeal. The Court ruled that, under such circumstances, the unpursued appeal must be considered waived, and consequently, only the pursued appeal should be decided.

Summary of the Ruling

In general. In the context of the expedited decision procedure pursuant to Article 380-bis of the Italian Code of Civil Procedure, where the proposed decision concerns both the main appeal and the unconditioned incidental appeal and the request for a decision is filed by only one of the parties, the unpursued appeal is to be considered waived, and only the pursued appeal is to be decided. Thus, if such a decision is in accordance with the proposal, the order in favor of the fine fund pursuant to Article 96, paragraph 4, of the Code of Civil Procedure and the doubling of the unified contribution, dependent on the ruling of inadmissibility, lack of jurisdiction or rejection of the appeal, apply only to the party requesting the decision, while the costs of the legitimacy judgment are to be regulated based on its overall outcome, considering not only the decision on the pursued appeal but also the substantial defeat of the other party, which, although initially having filed an appeal, chose not to pursue it by acquiescing to the proposal for early resolution.

The Practical Implications of the Ruling

This ruling has important practical repercussions for lawyers and their clients. In fact, the Court clarified that:

  • If a party does not pursue their appeal, it is considered waived.
  • The costs of the legitimacy judgment must be regulated based on the overall outcome, not just that of the pursued appeal.
  • The order in favor of the fine fund and the doubling of the unified contribution apply only to the party that requested the decision.

These guidelines not only simplify the decision-making process in appeal situations but also provide clear guidance on how to address the issue of legal costs in such contexts.

Conclusions

Order No. 10164 of 2024 from the Court of Cassation represents a step forward toward greater clarity in the appeal process, particularly regarding the consequences of not pursuing an appeal. Lawyers must pay particular attention to these dynamics, as the choice not to proceed with an appeal can have significant effects on the regulation of legal costs. In a constantly evolving legal context, it is essential to stay updated on such rulings to ensure proper legal assistance to clients.

Bianucci Law Firm