Commentary on Judgment No. 11393 of 2024: The Concept of Economic Activity and Legal Aid

The judgment No. 11393 of April 29, 2024, issued by the Court of Cassation, provides an important interpretation of the concept of economic activity in the context of legal aid. In particular, it clarifies how economic activity, according to Article 119 of the Presidential Decree No. 115 of 2002, must coincide with the direct profit-making purpose, thus excluding activities that pursue solidarity objectives.

The Concept of Economic Activity According to the Legislation

The central legislative reference in this judgment is Article 119 of the Presidential Decree No. 115 of 2002, which defines the methods of access to legal aid. The Court, in its order, reiterated that:

Article 119 of Presidential Decree No. 115 of 2002 - Concept of Economic Activity - Coincidence with Direct Profit-Making Purpose - Activities Instrumental to Achieving Solidarity Objectives - Applicability - Exclusion. The concept of economic activity contemplated in Article 119 of the Presidential Decree of May 30, 2002, No. 115, coincides with the pursuit of a direct profit-making purpose and cannot be applied to cases where such activity is instrumental to achieving a solidarity objective.

In this perspective, the Court of Cassation established that only economic activities aimed at generating profit can be considered for the purposes of legal aid. This means that activities aimed at social support, without a direct profit-making purpose, do not meet the requirements to access this benefit.

Practical Implications of the Judgment

The implications of this judgment are significant for various sectors, including:

  • Associations and non-profit organizations: they must review their strategies to ensure that any economic activities are clearly profit-oriented if they intend to access the benefits of legal aid.
  • Legal practitioners: lawyers and legal professionals must be aware of these criteria when assisting their clients in applying for legal aid.
  • Judges and courts: they will need to apply this interpretation uniformly in future decisions regarding legal aid.

The Court clarified that the notion of economic activity cannot be expanded to include activities that, while having a social value, do not pursue a direct profit. This approach aims to preserve the integrity of the legal aid system, ensuring that it is used for the purposes for which it was designed.

Conclusions

In conclusion, judgment No. 11393 of 2024 represents an essential reference point for understanding the legislation on legal aid and the concept of economic activity. It emphasizes the importance of a clear distinction between profit-oriented economic activities and those with solidarity purposes, contributing to greater legal certainty for all parties involved. It is crucial that associations and law firms adapt to this interpretation to ensure proper access to the benefits provided by law.

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