International Child Abduction: Analysis of the Judgment Cass. civ. n. 3319/2017

The judgment of the Supreme Court of Cassation n. 3319 of 2017 provides important clarifications regarding international child abduction, highlighting the centrality of the principle of listening to the child in repatriation proceedings. In this article, we will analyze the Court's decision, its reasoning, and the legal implications that arise from it.

The Case and the Decision of the Juvenile Court

The case concerns the request for the repatriation of the minor S., by her father F. G., who was originally residing in Ireland. After separating from her mother G. E., the minor was transferred to Italy without the father's consent. The initial decision of the Juvenile Court of Catanzaro ordered the repatriation to Ireland, considering that there were no risks to the child's well-being.

However, the Public Prosecutor appealed this decision, arguing that the minor had not been heard, a crucial step to ensure the respect of her rights and interests. The Court of Cassation accepted this appeal, emphasizing that hearing the minor is a necessary and not optional requirement.

The Importance of Hearing the Minor

The listening to the minor, as provided by Italian law and international conventions, is fundamental to ensure their right to be heard and to assess their needs.

According to Article 315 bis of the Civil Code, minors must be heard in all proceedings concerning them. This provision is part of the context of international conventions, such as the New York Convention on the Rights of the Child, which establishes the child's right to be heard in all matters concerning them. The Court highlighted that the failure to hear the minor in the case at hand compromised the respect of her rights.

Implications of the Judgment

The implications of judgment n. 3319/2017 are significant for family law. In fact, it reaffirms the principle that the well-being of the minor must always be at the center of legal decisions concerning them. Moreover, the Court clarified that, in the absence of valid reasons, it is not possible to exclude the hearing of the minor, especially in sensitive cases such as those of international abduction.

  • The necessity to ensure the child's right to be heard.
  • The importance of assessing the living conditions of the minor in the country of repatriation.
  • The obligation for authorities to justify the exclusion of the hearing in case of concrete dangers.

In conclusion, the judgment of the Cassation not only annulled the repatriation order but also reinforced the principle of listening to minors, a crucial element for the protection of their rights.

Conclusions

In summary, the judgment Cass. civ. n. 3319 of 2017 represents an important step for the protection of children's rights in international abduction proceedings. It reaffirms the importance of considering the child's well-being and ensuring that their opinions are heard at all stages of the process. Authorities and legal professionals should keep these guidelines in mind to ensure a more equitable justice system that is sensitive to the needs of the youngest.

Bianucci Law Firm