Litigation and Arbitration
Zunarelli – Studio Legale Associato provides qualified legal assistance in all areas of litigation and arbitration, representing Italian and international clients in complex disputes, both judicial and extrajudicial, before all domestic and international courts and arbitration tribunals.
Our practice covers the full spectrum of civil, commercial, and corporate law, and includes litigation in matters relating to real estate, public procurement, environmental law, customs, taxation, professional liability, transport and energy law, competition, and regulatory matters. The Firm assists private operators, public bodies, multinationals, administrative authorities and consortia in all phases of disputes, from precautionary measures to enforcement, including ad hoc and administered arbitration proceedings.
The multidisciplinary approach, the solid network of international correspondents and the widespread territorial presence allow us to offer efficient and responsive dispute management, even in particularly specialized technical and regulatory areas.
Notable cases
Legal representation of a company in a civil case involving the non-performance of contractual obligations in connection to the realization of works on developable land. The dispute involves claims for damages and the revision of compensation agreements. The case is currently pending.
We are defending a national real estate operator in a lawsuit brought by a buyer for the cancellation of a preliminary contract relating to a building complex, with request for the return of sums paid and compensation. The ongoing proceedings concerns the validity of express termination clauses and patrimonial guarantees.
We represented a minority shareholder in a complex dispute concerning exclusion from office, abuse of majority power and appeal to shareholders’ resolutions. The proceedings concluded with a favourable settlement in June 2023.
We represented a logistics company in a lawsuit against a carrier for breach of volume contracts on routes between the Far East and Italy. The dispute was resolved through settlement.
The Firm represented a French company in a case before the Italian Supreme Court (Corte di Cassazione) concerning the theft of goods during international transport and the liability of the carrier. The case concluded in November 2022.
The Firm defended an insurance company in a civil litigation concerning a shipping accident that occurred during towing operations. The proceedings concluded in 2023 with a favourable outcome.
We are defending one of the parties in a civil lawsuit concerning bird strike. The court accepted our defence, reopening the preliminary investigation phase and ordering a new expert report. Proceedings is ongoing.
We are defending an industrial company in an ongoing civil and administrative proceedings for alleged environmental contamination linked to previous production activities.
We are defending a local authority in a dispute worth over €70 million, brought by a public transport operator for alleged additional compensation. Two favourable rulings were obtained in 2022 and 2023; the case is now pending before the Italian Supreme Court (Corte di Cassazione).
Legal representation of a Port System Authority in an ongoing administrative litigation against a municipality that has changed the urban destination of state-owned port areas within its local zoning plan.
We are assisting a terminal operator in an ongoing administrative dispute concerning the rejection of an application for a port quay concession, with particular emphasis on the principles of liberalization and protection of legitimate expectations.
We represent a maritime industry association in a case pending before the General Court of the CJEU aimed to appeal the Commission’s decision contesting the corporate income tax (IRES – imposta sul reddito delle società) exemption regime for port authorities.
The Firm is assisting a major logistics company in proceedings pending before the tax court, concerning the appeal against assessment notices for alleged incorrect customs classification of imported goods and the consequent application of increased duties. The dispute concerns technical aspects of customs tariffs, preferential origin and supporting documentation.
The Firm represents a port company in proceedings before the tax court to obtain exemption from the application of the Italian waste tax (TARI) on special waste not classified as municipal waste.
We assisted a nautical sector operator in a dispute with the Italian Revenue Agency (Agenzia delle Entrate) concerning VAT treatment on charter contracts for non-EU yachts. The proceedings concluded with a favourable outcome in July 2023.
