Commentary on ruling no. 16973 of 2024: Mediation and the right to commission

The ruling no. 16973 of June 20, 2024, issued by the Court of Cassation, addresses a highly relevant issue in the field of mediation: the right of the mediator to receive a commission at the conclusion of a deal. This issue is particularly significant in a context where commercial dynamics and relationships between parties are constantly evolving.

The context of the ruling

The Court has ruled on a case in which a commission was requested by a mediator, P., against A., following the conclusion of a deal. The Court reiterated that the right to a commission arises not only when the deal is concluded by the same parties to whom it was proposed but also when the involved parties have a connection, even if not one of representation. This aspect highlights the flexibility of the reference legislation, particularly Article 1755 of the Civil Code.

Mediation - Right to commission - Preconditions - Identity of the parties to whom the deal was proposed and those between whom it was concluded - Necessity - Exclusion - Conditions - Case law. The right of the mediator to a commission arises upon the conclusion of the deal, while it does not matter whether it is concluded by the same parties or by different parties from those to whom it was proposed, as long as there is a connection, even if not necessarily one of representation, between the original party - which remains indebted to the mediator for having had relations with the same - and the party with which it was subsequently concluded, such as to justify, within the context of their economic relations, the transfer of negotiations or the very conclusion of the deal with another subject. (In this case, the Supreme Court annulled the ruling that, on this point, based on the established connection of affinity between the individual and administrator of the selling company who conferred the mediation assignment and the selling company itself, had recognized the right to commission as owed solely by the administrator of the company).

Practical implications

The principle established by the Court has important practical implications for mediators and the parties involved. In particular, several key points can be highlighted:

  • The connection between the parties is fundamental: even if there is no relationship of representation, the connection must be such as to justify the commission.
  • The commission is linked to the conclusion of the deal, not necessarily to its origin.
  • The Court annulled a previous ruling, highlighting that the right to commission cannot be limited to only one of the involved parties.

Conclusions

The ruling no. 16973 of 2024 represents an important step forward in defining the rights of mediators in Italy. It clarifies that the right to commission is not exclusive to the original parties of the deal but can extend to situations where economic and relational ties exist. This approach, which values the dynamics of negotiations, offers greater protection to mediators and encourages increased transparency in commercial relationships.

Bianucci Law Firm