Transport and Logistics Law
With extensive experience in the transport and logistics sectors, our team – comprising university professors and professionals who have served as consultants to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and various public institutions – offers both in-court and out-of-court legal assistance to public bodies, trade associations, and private companies.
We provide highly specialized legal advice on all matters in the transport and supply chain sectors. From the drafting and negotiation of contracts to regulatory compliance and the resolution of complex disputes, we support our clients through every stage with tailored legal solutions designed to meet their specific needs.
We offer advice in all key areas of transport and logistics law.
Zunarelli – Studio Legale Associato provides legal advice and assistance to companies operating in the road freight transport sector, offering comprehensive support in drafting and negotiating transport contracts, and managing disputes concerning accidents, damage to goods, delays, and violation of national and international regulations.
We also handle issues related to international freight transport, road safety, and compliance with environmental regulations and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) criteria.
We offer specialized consulting services to companies operating within or relying on supply chain management and logistics services.
Our professionals assist clients in drafting and negotiating contracts relating to all logistics activities, as well as in managing issues related to security, customs regulations and international regulations. We also support companies in managing supply chain risks, delivering effective legal solutions designed to streamline operational processes.
The Firm provides legal advice to companies operating in the railway sector, as well as to users of railway services.
Our assistance includes the drafting and negotiation of transport contracts, and the management of disputes concerning delays, accidents, damage to goods and passenger injuries.
We also support clients in participating in public tenders and in assessing compliance with national and international regulations, particularly with regard to safety standards, licensing requirements, and other legal obligations necessary for the lawful operation of rail transport services.
The Firm provides legal advice to public bodies, transport companies and operators in the local public transport sector, both scheduled and non-scheduled (taxis, rental with driver), supporting clients in the management of contracts, tenders, compliance with national and European regulations and the resolution of disputes. The Firm also provides assistance in managing issues relating to competition, civil liability and operating licences. We also deal with aspects related to the planning and management of public transport networks, identifying strategies that enhance service efficiency while ensuring full regulatory compliance.
The Firm provides specialized legal advice on competition law as it applies to the transport sector, assisting companies in the management of commercial agreements, mergers and unfair business practices, ensuring compliance with national and European regulations. We also support companies in the preparation of antitrust compliance programmes to prevent anti-competitive practices and reduce the risk of sanctions. In the event of pre-trial investigations or litigation before the Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) or the European Commission, the Firm provides qualified assistance to protect the interests of its clients.
The Firm provides legal advice on measures adopted by the Transport Regulatory Authority (Autorità di Regolazione dei Trasporti – ART), supporting companies in complying with the Authority’s resolutions and ensuring compliance with the regulatory framework on competition, public services and transport infrastructure management. The Firm also provides specialized support in disputes concerning the annual contribution collected by the ART.
Notable cases
We have assisted companies operating in the transport market as sub-carriers, in order to facilitate the recovery, pursuant to Article 7-ter of Legislative Decree 286/2005, of unpaid fees from the carrier, even when the principal debtor is subject to insolvency proceedings.
We have assisted companies operating in the road transport, logistics, and freight forwarding sectors in handling requests from the Transport Regulation Authority (ART) for payment of the contribution for the operation of ART, even when such requests were issued years later and in light of regulatory changes and evolving case law interpretations.
We have assisted an international freight forwarder in a dispute challenging a payment order issued in favour of a terminal operator for the recovery of port storage charges related to the shipment of a container to Asia, which was then stopped for customs inspection.
We have advised leading transport companies on the drafting of network contracts for the logistics and transport sector.
We have advised companies requesting road transport services on risk assessment – also considering the agreed Incoterms – with regard to compliance checks on the documentation and authorisations required by law for hauliers collecting the sold goods (e.g. CEMT permits, bilateral authorisations, licences).
We have assisted a Cypriot transport company operating across most of Europe in a dispute challenging the legitimacy of sanctions imposed by the Italian Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza) for violating road cabotage and combined transport regulations pursuant to Article 8, paragraph 3 of Regulation (EC) No. 1072/2009.
We have assisted a company providing international and interregional bus passenger transport services in submitting a report to the Transport Regulation Authority (ART). The report concerned the non-compliance of the Bus Station Information Prospectus (Prospetto Informativo dell’Autostazione - PIA), adopted by the operator of a well-known bus station, with measures adopted by ART, which was considered potentially distortive of competition in the medium-to long-distance bus service market.
We have provided both judicial and out-of-court advice regarding the regulation of local public transport services, with particular reference to compensation for public service obligations.
We have assisted a company providing international and interregional bus transport services in preparing an appeal pursuant to Article 700 of the Italian Code of Civil Procedure before the Specialized Business Section of the Court. The appeal sought an injunction against abuse of dominant position and/or unfair competition by the operator of a well-known bus station for violating public law provisions.
We have assisted a company operating in the logistics and transport sector in proceedings before the AGCM concerning abuse of a dominant position in the railway sector.
