The ruling no. 19874/2024 of the Court of Cassation: Natural incapacity in the donation contract

The Court of Cassation, with order no. 19874 of November 30, 2023, addressed a case of particular relevance in the field of donations, clarifying the requirements for the annulment of a donation deed due to the natural incapacity of the donor. In the case at hand, the central issue concerned the assessment of E.E.'s capacity to understand and will at the time of signing the deed, as well as the adequacy of the evidence presented by the parties involved.

The context of the ruling

The incident began with a donation made by E.E. to B.B., who was imposed the obligation to provide moral and material assistance to the donor. However, E.E. subsequently requested the annulment of the donation, claiming to have been induced to sign the deed due to his inability to understand the true nature of the contract, exacerbated by his condition of vulnerability. The Court of Appeals of Naples, during the proceedings, accepted the annulment request based on a series of psychological assessments that testified to the natural incapacity of the donor.

To annul a donation transaction, it is not necessary to prove a pathological state that completely undermines psychological faculties, but it is sufficient to prove a disturbance of the subject's capacity.

The Court's motivations

The Court of Cassation examined the grounds for appeal presented by the defendants, emphasizing that to demonstrate natural incapacity it is not required that the subject be totally incapable, but it is sufficient to show that their ability to assess the effects of the deed was disturbed to the point of preventing a conscious will. This principle is particularly important in donation matters, where the vulnerability of the donor can affect the validity of the act. Moreover, the judge in the merits has broad discretion in evaluating the evidence, being able to draw from that provided in previous proceedings.

  • The Court confirmed that natural incapacity can arise from situations of psychological fragility.
  • Importance of legal assistance in assessing the donor's capacity.
  • Recognition of the discretionary power of the judge in evaluating evidence.

Conclusions

The ruling no. 19874 of 2024 represents an important clarification on the issue of natural incapacity in donation law. It underscores the importance of a careful assessment of the capacity to understand and will, especially in situations of vulnerability. The legal implications of this ruling could have a significant impact on future disputes regarding donations, highlighting the need for greater attention to the personal conditions of donors. In an increasingly complex legal context, it is crucial that the parties involved in donation transactions are adequately assisted to ensure their protection and respect for their wishes.

Bianucci Law Firm