Judgment No. 19123 of 2024: Forced Execution and Impossibility of Performance

The Court of Cassation, with ordinance No. 19123 of July 11, 2024, ruled on a case of forced execution concerning the delivery of movable goods. The central issue was whether, in the event of loss of availability of the goods by the obligor, the creditor could proceed with forced execution pursuant to Articles 605 and following of the Code of Civil Procedure (c.p.c.).

The Content of the Ruling

The Court reaffirmed a fundamental principle: in cases where the movable items subject to condemnation are no longer available to the obligor or have been destroyed, the creditor does not have the right to proceed with forced execution. This holds regardless of whether the impossibility of performance is attributable to the debtor. The ruling states:

In general. In cases where the specific movable items, subject to a condemnation for delivery resulting from an executive title, are no longer available to the obligor or have been destroyed, the creditor does not have the right to proceed with direct forced execution for delivery pursuant to Articles 605 and following of the c.p.c., regardless of the debtor's responsibility for the impossibility of performance, since this circumstance has no relevance in the opposition judgment to execution, but only in the potential liability judgment against the debtor.

This principle is particularly relevant for scenarios where, for example, an executive injunction mandates the delivery of documents, some of which have been destroyed by the obligor due to the expiration of the retention period. The Court clarified that the impossibility to comply does not justify forced execution, but may lead to civil liability for the debtor.

Practical Implications of the Ruling

The decision of the Court of Cassation has several practical implications for the parties involved:

  • For creditors: it is essential to verify the availability of goods before undertaking enforcement action.
  • For debtors: they cannot be forced into execution if the goods are no longer available to them, but they may be subject to liability for the impossibility of fulfillment.
  • For lawyers: it is crucial to provide adequate advice on the risks and legal implications of enforcement actions, taking into account recent judicial rulings.

Conclusions

Judgment No. 19123 of 2024 represents an important clarification on the right of forced execution in Italy. The Court established that mere impossibility to execute the performance, even if attributable to the debtor, does not allow the creditor to proceed with forced execution if the goods are no longer available. This decision highlights the importance of proper management of expectations and legal actions, both by creditors and debtors. In a constantly evolving legal context, it is essential to stay updated on the implications of rulings regarding forced execution.

Bianucci Law Firm