Omissive Ruling and Remedies: Commentary on Ordinance No. 18652 of 2024

The recent Ordinance No. 18652 of July 8, 2024, issued by the Court of Cassation, offers an important reflection on the methods of appeal in cases of omissive rulings by the Regional Court of Public Waters. This decision is set within a complex legal context, where the distinction between the different remedies available can be crucial for the protection of the rights of the parties involved.

The Regulatory Context

The Court confirmed that, in the event of an omissive ruling, the remedy is not an appeal, but rather a request for rectification to be submitted to the same Regional Court, as established by Article 204 of Royal Decree No. 1775 of 1933. This provision indeed refers to the cases provided for in Article 517 of the Code of Civil Procedure of 1865, which contemplates various situations in which the ruling may be flawed, including:

  • Rulings that have decided on issues not requested;
  • Rulings that have awarded more than was requested;
  • Rulings that have failed to rule on certain parts of the claim;
  • Rulings with contradictory provisions.

The Principle of the Ruling

Appeal for Cassation - Criticism of Omissive Ruling - Admissibility - Exclusion - Request for Rectification - Necessity. In terms of appeals, against the omissive ruling of the Regional Court of Public Waters, the available remedy is not the appeal, but rather the request for rectification proposed before the same Regional Court, as provided by Art. 204 of Royal Decree No. 1775 of 1933 (Consolidated Law on Waters), which contains a referral to the cases provided for in Art. 517 of the Code of Civil Procedure of 1865 or the following cases: if the ruling "has decided on something not requested", "if it has awarded more than what was requested", "if it has failed to rule on any of the parts of the claim" and "if it contains contradictory provisions."

Final Considerations

Ordinance No. 18652 of 2024 represents an important reference for the subject of appeals in the legal field, highlighting how the correct interpretation of the rules can significantly influence the legal strategy to adopt in cases of rulings deemed incomplete or misleading. It is essential that legal practitioners remain updated on the latest rulings and jurisprudential interpretations to ensure an effective and informed defense of the rights of their clients.

Bianucci Law Firm