The Ruling No. 16288 of 2024: Jurisdiction and Highway Concessionaires

The Constitutional Court, with its ruling no. 16288 on June 12, 2024, addressed a fundamental issue concerning jurisdiction and the obligation of public evidence for highway concessionaires. This pronouncement marks a paradigm shift in the management of public contracts and has generated considerable interest in the legal and business sectors.

The Regulatory Context

Until this ruling, Article 177, paragraph 1, of Legislative Decree No. 50 of 2016 and Article 1, paragraph 1, letter iii), of Law No. 11 of 2016 imposed on highway concessionaires the obligation to award contracts through public evidence procedures. However, the Court declared the constitutional illegitimacy of these provisions, stating that concessionaires are not required to follow such procedures.

Highway concessionaires - Obligation to award contracts through public evidence procedures - Constitutional illegitimacy of Article 177, paragraph 1, Legislative Decree No. 50 of 2016 and Article 1, paragraph 1, letter iii), of Law No. 11 of 2016 - Consequences - Disputes regarding such awards - Jurisdiction of the ordinary judge - Existing.

The Consequences of the Ruling

With this ruling, highway concessionaires can now choose whether or not to apply the norms of public evidence for the awarding of contracts. This not only simplifies the awarding process but also allows for greater flexibility in a sector that requires quick operational decisions. It is important to note that, despite this freedom, concessionaires are not considered public law entities, which implies that disputes relating to such awards fall within the jurisdiction of the ordinary judge.

  • Greater flexibility in contract management
  • Possibility of resorting to public evidence procedures on a voluntary basis
  • Clarity on the ordinary jurisdiction of disputes

Implications for the Sector

This ruling has significant implications for the infrastructure and public works sector. Concessionaires will be able to operate with greater autonomy, but they must still pay attention to existing regulations and possible legal challenges. The decision of the Constitutional Court represents an opportunity to review the awarding methods and to promote greater efficiency in the execution of public works.

Conclusions

In conclusion, ruling no. 16288 of 2024 offers an important insight into the issue of contract awarding by highway concessionaires. With the declaration of illegitimacy of the previous norms, a new chapter opens in the management of public contracts, with potential benefits for operational efficiency and clearer jurisdiction over disputes. It will be interesting to observe how this change will influence the legal landscape and operational practices in the sector.

Bianucci Law Firm