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Commentary on Judgment No. 17828 of 2023: Statements to the Curator and Their Use in Criminal Proceedings

Judgment No. 17828 of 2023 represents an important ruling by the Court of Cassation regarding the use of statements made to the curator during the phase of a bankruptcy procedure. This decision raises significant questions about the compatibility of such practices with the principles of justice and defense, guaranteed by the Constitution and European regulations.

Context of the Judgment

The Court examined the case of F. C., involved in a bankruptcy procedure and accused of crimes related to the management of the bankrupt company. The statements provided to the curator, a public official, were considered by the Court as useful for criminal investigations. However, a question of constitutional legitimacy was raised regarding the articles of the code of criminal procedure that govern the inadmissibility of such statements.

Statements made to the curator during the bankruptcy procedure included in the report - Obligation to respect the guarantees provided by the code of criminal procedure - Exclusion - Question of constitutional legitimacy of Articles 62, 63, 64, 191, 195, and 526 of the code of criminal procedure - Manifestly unfounded - Reasons - Case. The question of constitutional legitimacy of Articles 62, 63, 64, 191, 195, and 526 of the code of criminal procedure, for contrast with Articles 3, 24, 111, and 117 of the Constitution, in relation to Articles 6 ECHR, 47, paragraph 2, and 48 CFREU, is manifestly unfounded in the part in which it does not provide for the inadmissibility of statements made to the curator during the bankruptcy procedure and included in his report, given that the curator does not carry out inspection and supervision activities, but, as a public official, is required to represent in the report signed by him also "what may be of interest for the purposes of the preliminary investigations in criminal matters," proceeding with the hearing of subjects other than the bankrupt to request the necessary information and clarifications "for the management of the procedure." (Case related to statements made to the curator by a witness and a suspect of a related crime regarding the role of de facto administrator of the bankrupt held by the accused, summarized in the report and subject to indirect testimony by the curator himself).

Implications of the Ruling

The Court declared the question of constitutional legitimacy raised to be manifestly unfounded, asserting that the curator, in his function, does not act as a supervisory body, but as a public official required to report relevant information for investigations. This decision clarifies that statements made to the curator are not subject to inadmissibility, contrary to what some detractors of the norm have claimed.

It is important to emphasize that the judgment highlights a delicate balance between the right to defense and the need to ensure effective management of bankruptcy procedures. Where statements are necessary for the ascertainment of any criminal responsibilities, the use of such statements should not compromise the defendant's right to defense.

Conclusions

In summary, Judgment No. 17828 of 2023 by the Court of Cassation clarifies a fundamental aspect of criminal and bankruptcy law, establishing that statements made to the curator cannot be considered inadmissible in criminal proceedings. This ruling highlights the complexity of interactions between different areas of law and underscores the importance of ensuring a fair and equitable process while simultaneously respecting the needs for justice and transparency in the management of bankruptcy procedures.