Tackling Dispute Resolution

Monthly column currently published on NT+ Diritto | Il Sole 24 Ore.

• 10.04.26: "Jurisdiction over contractual termination claims brought prior to the declaration of bankruptcy lies with the insolvency court". With decision no. 6495, the Joint Sections of the Supreme Court address one of the more complex issues in insolvency law, clarifying the relationship between contractual termination actions and the claims verification procedure.
• 13.03.26: "Contracts: the parties’ conduct may also serve as a criterion to interpret a term as “of the essence”. In the case before the Supreme Court (Cass. no. 3553/26), the assessment of the parties’ actual intent—also inferred from their conduct—led the Court to conclude that the underlying commercial purpose had not been frustrated.”
• 20.01.26 – “Corporate demergers: legal disclosure may prove the inclusion of a specific claim in the transferred assets”. In the decision under review (Italian Supreme Court, Civil Section III, 2 December 2025, No. 31457), the Court identifies the ultimate purpose of the disclosure regime governing extraordinary transactions: ensuring that the assigned debtor has certainty that payment will not be rendered ineffective.
• 04.12.25 – “Statutory auditors’ liability: contributory omission where oversight is merely formal rather than substantive”. In the ruling under review (No. 24004/2025), the Supreme Court revisits compliance with the principles of proper corporate governance.
• 13.11.25 – “Joint liability in limited liability companies: focus on the requirement of intent”. The decision under review (Supreme Court No. 22169/2025) clarifies the scope of application of Article 2476(8) of the Italian Civil Code, outlining the requirements of active conduct, intent, and the relevance of a minority position within the company’s ownership structure.
• 07.03.25: "La legittimazione del rappresentante degli azionisti di risparmio dell’incorporata sussiste anche a seguito di fusione". A ruling by the Italian Supreme Court confirmed that the savings shareholders of the absorbed company retain standing to challenge the exchange ratio even after the merger.
• 07.02.25: "Correttezza, veridicità e chiarezza: un recente arresto della Cassazione sui principi che governano la redazione del bilancio". The Italian Supreme Court (First Civil Division - 01/01/2025, No. 6) recently reaffirmed key principles governing corporate financial statements, emphasizing fairness, accuracy, and, above all, clarity.
• 20.01.25: "Denuncia ex art. 2409 c.c. e insindacabilità delle scelte gestorie". Judicial assessments of the adequacy of corporate governance structures, as required under Article 2086 of the Italian Civil Code, must be conducted on a case-by-case basis, considering the specific nature of the business and in accordance with the business judgment rule.
• 09.12.24: "Contratti, in un recente arresto della Cassazione i criteri di interpretazione". The Italian Supreme Court clarified fundamental principles for contract interpretation, emphasizing the importance of literal interpretation of clauses while also considering alternative approaches based on functional analysis and good faith.
• 18.11.24: "Divieto di patto leonino e validità del patto di opzione put".  In ruling No. 27283/2024, the Italian Supreme Court confirmed the legitimacy and enforceability of agreements between shareholders of a joint-stock company whereby one party undertakes to indemnify the other against potential losses from an investment, through a put option within a specified timeframe at a predetermined price, with added interest and reimbursement of interim contributions.
• 05.11.24: "Business judgement rule, la Cassazione torna sui limiti della insindacabilità nel merito delle scelte di gestione". In ruling No. 25260 of September 20, 2024, the Italian Supreme Court reiterated key principles of the business judgment rule in a dispute concerning damages claims against a limited liability company’s director for alleged mismanagement.
• 21.10.24: "Appalto e sicurezza sul lavoro, la posizione di garanzia del committente resta tale anche con le nomina di un subappaltatore". In ruling No. 23843 of September 5, 2024, the Italian Supreme Court addressed the legal responsibility of a client in a procurement contract, emphasizing that the duty to ensure compliance with workplace health and safety regulations remains intact even when a subcontractor is appointed.
• 27.09.24: "Nomina del custode nel sequestro di partecipazioni societarie e limiti di esercizio dei diritti particolari". In a ruling issued on June 27, 2024, the Venice Court examined the principles governing precautionary seizure of company shares and the exercise of specific shareholder rights.
• 12.09.24: "Termine di prescrizione in materia di responsabilità dei revisori dei conti, il recente intervento della Consulta". In ruling No. 115 of July 2024, the Italian Constitutional Court addressed a significant issue concerning the starting point for the statute of limitations on auditors’ liability, as governed by Article 15(3) of Legislative Decree No. 39/2010.
• 23.07.24: "Il socio di S.r.l. che ha ceduto in pegno la propria quota ha diritto di impugnare la delibera assembleare". In ruling No. 16047 of June 10, 2024, the Supreme Court held that under Articles 2471-bis and 2352 of the Italian Civil Code, a shareholder who has pledged their shares still retains the right to challenge shareholder resolutions, even if the secured creditor has exercised voting rights.
• 02.07.24: "La sorte del credito non incluso nel bilancio finale di liquidazione a seguito della cancellazione dal Registro delle Imprese". In ruling No. 16477 of June 13, 2024, the Supreme Court referred to the Joint Divisions a matter with significant practical implications: whether a company’s failure to include a receivable in its final liquidation balance sheet constitutes an implicit waiver of that claim, leading to case dismissal.
• 17.06.24: "Differenze tra il patto di prelazione ed il contratto preliminare, un recente intervento della Cassazione". In ruling No. 15801 of June 6, 2024, the Supreme Court provided key insights into the differences between voluntary pre-emption agreements and preliminary contracts.
• 02.05.24: "Il fallimento della supersocietà di fatto è estendibile ai soci persone fisiche illimitatamente responsabili o società di capitali". In ruling No. 36378 of December 29, 2023, the Supreme Court addressed the bankruptcy of de facto partnerships, equating them to unregistered general partnerships. As a result, the one-year period for filing a bankruptcy petition applies equally to individual and corporate entrepreneurs, starting from the company’s deregistration from the business register.