Mediation&Assisted Negotiation in Italy: When They Are Mandatory

近年来，意大利立法机关——尤其是在《卡塔比亚改革法案》（2022年第149号法令）出台后——在多个民法领域强化了调解与协助谈判的适用，将其列为提起诉讼的前置条件。此项立法调整让替代性争议解决机制（ADR）的运行更具规范性和普及性，旨在减轻司法系统的办案压力，促成更高效、更具协作性的解决方案。

In recent years, the Italian legislator – particularly following the introduction of the Cartabia Reform (Legislative Decree No. 149/2022) – has strengthened the use of mediation and assisted negotiation as a condition precedent for legal proceedings in various areas of civil law. This regulatory intervention has made the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods more structured and widespread, with the aim of reducing the burden on the judicial system and promoting faster and more collaborative solutions.

本文将具体分析调解与协助谈判的法定强制适用情形，及其在意大利诉讼程序体系中的运作规则。

In this article, we will examine the cases in which choice to these instruments is mandatory and how they operate within the Italian procedural system.

强制调解制度由2010年第28号法令确立，指由中立的调解员作为第三方介入，协助争议双方在未诉诸法院的前提下达成和解的争议解决方式。当双方达成合意并签订调解协议时，调解程序即告终结，该协议对双方具有法律约束力。在若干争议类型中，尝试调解是启动诉讼程序的前置条件，具体包括：物权纠纷、共有物业纠纷、继承纠纷、租赁纠纷；而根据《卡塔比亚改革法案》，该范围进一步扩展至联营协议、联营体协议、特许经营协议、服务合同、网络合同、供货合同、合伙及分包纠纷。这意味着，当事人若意图通过法院主张权利，必须先行尝试通过调解化解争议、达成调解协议。依据法律规定，调解机构需为具备资质的合法主体，且应在专门的行业执业名录中完成登记。

Mandatory mediation, provided for by Legislative Decree No. 28/2010, is a tool aimed at resolving disputes through an impartial mediator who acts as a third party to assist the parties in reaching a settlement without bringing the matter before a judge. Mediation is successfully concluded when the parties reach an agreement – the so-called mediation agreement – which becomes binding upon them. Attempting mediation is a condition precedent for legal proceedings in several matters, such as, for example, rights in rem, condominium disputes, successions, leases, and – following the Cartabia Reform – also in cases involving contracts of participation association, consortium, franchising, contract for services, network contracts, supply contracts, partnerships, and subcontracting. This means that a party intending to claim a right before a court must first attempt to resolve the dispute through mediation, with the aim of reaching a mediation agreement. By law, mediation bodies are qualified entities authorized to perform this role and are entered in specific registers for the exercise of the profession.

协助谈判与调解存在细微区别。该制度由2014年第132号法令引入，核心是在双方各自委托律师全程参与的前提下推动争议和解，程序中不设置中立第三方。协助谈判的法定强制适用情形为两类纠纷：一是机动车或船舶通行引发的损害赔偿纠纷；二是标的额不超过50,000欧元的给付请求纠纷，无论其请求权基础为何。若双方通过协助谈判达成合意，所签订的协助谈判协议同样对当事人具有法律约束力。

Assisted negotiation differs slightly from mediation. Introduced by Decree-Law No. 132/2014, it is a procedure that promotes the seeking of an agreement between the parties through the mandatory assistance of their respective lawyers, and therefore without the involvement of an impartial third party. Assisted negotiation is a condition precedent for legal proceedings in cases concerning compensation for damages arising from the circulation of vehicles or vessels, as well as in claims for payment of amounts up to EUR 50,000, regardless of the legal basis. If the parties succeed in reaching an assisted negotiation agreement, this will also be binding upon them.

若当事人已履行替代性争议解决的法定前置程序，但未能达成和解，原告方可向法院提起诉讼。反之，若当事人未履行该前置程序——即调解或协助谈判——即提起诉讼，法院可依职权查明此程序瑕疵，并驳回起诉或责令当事人在指定期限内补正程序。

Where ADR attempts have been carried out but have not been successful, the claimant may proceed to file the claim before the court. In cases where the mandatory attempt to satisfy a condition of procedibility – namely mediation or assisted negotiation – has not been carried out, the judge, having ascertained the omission ex officio, may dismiss the claim or invite the parties to remedy the situation within a specified time limit.

《卡塔比亚改革法案》无疑巩固了调解与协助谈判在意大利民事诉讼中的核心前置地位，旨在减轻民事法院的办案压力。

The Cartabia Reform has undoubtedly consolidated the role of mediation and assisted negotiation as fundamental steps in Italian civil proceedings, with the aim of reducing the workload of civil courts.

明确调解与协助谈判在意大利的法定强制适用情形及启动流程，能帮助企业与专业人士在意大利合规处理争议解决事宜，避免因程序瑕疵导致诉求被驳回或诉讼进程延误。在争议解决机制日益倾向于和解优先的大趋势下，合理运用替代性争议解决机制，可成为当事人的一项重要战略优势。

Knowing when these procedures are mandatory and which process must be initiated in Italy allows companies and professionals to act with awareness, avoiding findings of inadmissibility and procedural delays. In a system increasingly oriented toward the amicable resolution of disputes, a proper approach to ADR can represent an important strategic advantage.