The questions most often asked before a first meeting.
What happens at the first meeting?
The first meeting is devoted to setting out the question, examining the documents available and forming a first view of the courses open to you. It is useful to bring all the papers you hold: contracts, correspondence, e-mails, documents served on you, receipts. At the end of the meeting I say whether and how it is possible to proceed, within what time and at what cost.
Is there a charge for the first meeting?
The first exploratory meeting, lasting about thirty minutes, is free of charge and commits neither side. Any advice given afterwards is quoted for in writing.
How are fees determined?
The fee is agreed in writing before any work begins, as the Italian professional legislation requires (article 13 of Law no. 247/2012), by reference to the complexity of the matter, the work expected and the amount at stake. The estimate sets out the court fee and other disbursements, the flat-rate reimbursement of general expenses at the statutory rate, the compulsory pension-fund contribution (CPA) and VAT, together with the terms that apply if the scope of the instructions changes. Where the matter allows, the fee may be agreed as a fixed sum for each stage.
How long does civil litigation take?
The length depends on the type of proceedings, on the court seised and on the conduct of the parties. By way of illustration, eviction for arrears or an unopposed order for payment are concluded relatively quickly; ordinary proceedings at first instance before the Court of Rome take considerably longer. At the first meeting I give an estimate for the actual case and consider the out-of-court alternatives, which are as a rule quicker.
Must I attempt mediation before bringing proceedings?
In many fields, yes. For disputes concerning condominium, leases, division of property, succession, rights in property and compensation for defamation through the press — among others specified by statute — an attempt at mediation is a precondition of proceedings under article 5 of Legislative Decree no. 28 of 4 March 2010: unless it has been attempted, the court cannot decide the merits.
That requirement covers much of the work I do. It is not a mere formality: a substantial proportion of these disputes are settled in mediation, at appreciably lower cost and in less time than proceedings. At the first meeting I say whether your question falls within it and how the attempt is best framed.
Do you act outside Rome?
My office is in Rome and I appear mainly before the courts of the Lazio region. For proceedings elsewhere I consider each case on its merits, where appropriate together with local colleagues acting as agents; assistance at a distance is possible for advice and for the drafting of contracts and out-of-court documents.
In which languages can I be assisted?
I deal with clients in Italian and in English. Proceedings before the Italian courts are conducted in Italian, and documents filed with the court must be in Italian; where a document is in another language a translation is arranged.
For questions not covered on this page, I receive clients by appointment.