Alessandro De Santis has been working at the Bologna office of Zunarelli – Studio Legale Associato since September 2021.
He mainly operates in the field of administrative, civil, maritime and transport law providing judicial and extrajudicial advice and assistance at both national and international level.
In June 2021, he graduated in Law from the University of Cassino, with a thesis in Administrative Law entitled “L’affidamento dei servizi sociali agli Enti del Terzo Settore”.
In 2021, he also worked with the Ports and Infrastructures Service of Confitarma – Italian Shipowners’ Association
In December 2021, he attended the Executive Program of Shipping & Logistics Management offered by Luiss Business School.
Notable Cases
Most significant cases
- Maritime Law – Liability and CE marking of recreational craft
Opinion on liability arising from a serious accident on board a recreational craft, in the presence of alleged non-compliance with technical safety requirements and CE marking. The assignment required the reconstruction of the applicable regulatory framework and conformity assessment procedures, as well as the distinction between the liability profiles of the manufacturer, the notified body and the shipowner. The implications for third-party liability insurance coverage and possible recourse actions were also examined.
- Leisure Boating – Commercial use of a recreational yacht
Assistance to a shipowners' association in the classification of passenger transport activities carried out using recreational craft for commercial purposes, including through charter contracts. The activity involved a coordinated analysis of the regulations on recreational boating and non-scheduled public transport, highlighting regulatory overlaps and potential application issues. Out-of-court assistance focused on operational guidance regarding authorisations, limits of use and necessary organisational requirements.
- Port Administrative Law – Comparative procedure for state property concessions
Out-of-court assistance provided to a Port Authority in relation to the management of competing applications for the granting of a maritime state property concession. The firm verified the correctness of the comparative procedure in terms of compliance with sector regulations and general principles of administrative action, with particular attention to the evaluation phase of the internal commission.
- Civil and maritime law – civil litigation concerning the leasing of ships and equipment
Assistance to a leading company operating in the maritime sector in a complex commercial dispute concerning the payment of fees due under ship leasing and equipment rental contracts. The dispute arose in the context of a long-standing collaborative relationship between the parties and concerned, in addition to the request for payment of significant sums, exceptions to the validity of contractual clauses (including arbitration provisions) and a claim for damages brought by the counterparty for alleged non-use of the unit and costs incurred. The work carried out included an analysis of the contractual framework as a whole, a reconstruction of the business relationship over time, an assessment of the parties' financial claims and the definition of a defence strategy aimed at protecting the client's credit and countering the opposing party's claims for compensation.
- Public Contracts and Compliance – Contracts financed with PNRR funds
Advice to a multinational company supplying components in the railway sector on the review of contractual relations with a general contractor awarded contracts financed with PNRR resources. The assignment focused in particular on aspects related to anti-mafia legislation, the traceability of financial flows and disclosure obligations along the supply chain. Contractual amendments and internal procedures were proposed to strengthen compliance controls and reduce the risk of disputes with contracting authorities and supervisory authorities.
