ITALIAN PRIVATE LAW

Valerio Di Gravio

Instructional goals

The course aims to provide students with the fundamental principles of private law that will be useful in their economic studies and in the professions they choose to pursue.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites

Intended learning outcomes

To acquire knowledge and understanding of private law institutions, in order to apply civil law to the legal cases that may arise.

Course Contents

Introductory notions. The legal norm. The concept of private law. Interpretation of the law and analogy. General aspects of the law of persons, family law, and inheritance law. Property rights. Possession. Obligations: performance, non-performance, changes to obligations, monetary and joint obligations, creditor protection and guarantees of obligations. Contracts: general principles of contracts, formation and evolution of contracts, individual named contracts. Torts and other sources of obligations. Protection of rights. Security interests in property, legal actions to protect patrimonial guarantees, statute of limitations. Consumer contracts.

Reference Books

– Carleo, Martuccelli, Ruperto, Istituzioni di diritto privato, Dike, latest edition. The following sections are excluded: Chapters 1 to 4 of Section I, Part I; §§ 8–12 and §§ 14–18 of Chapter I, Section II, Part I; Chapters 1 and 2 of Part III, Section III; §§ 2 and 3 of Chapter 3, Section II, Part IV; Chapter 4, Section II, Part IV. From Section III (Part V), the following parts are excluded: § 1 of Chapter 2; § 3 of Chapter 3; §§ 2–6 of Chapter 4; § 1 of Chapter 5; Chapters 6 to 8; § 1 of Chapter 9. Parts VI and VII are also excluded. – Zatti, Colussi, Lineamenti di diritto privato, Cedam, latest edition. The following sections are excluded: Chapters 1 to 3; §§ 5 to 10 of Chapter 6; Chapter 7; §§ 3 and 4 of Chapter 10; Chapter 11; Chapter 14; §§ 1–2 and 4–9 of Chapter 27; Chapter 28; §§ 2–3 of Chapter 29; Chapters 31 to 33; Chapters 35 to 50; Chapter 52; Chapter 53. – Galgano, Istituzioni di diritto privato, Cedam, latest edition. The following sections are excluded: Chapters 1 and 2; §§ 2 and 4 of Chapter 7; Chapter 8; §§ 7–10 of Chapter 18; Chapters 24 to 27. – Torrente – Schlesinger, Manuale di diritto privato, Giuffrè, latest edition. The following sections are excluded: Chapters I to V; §§ 48–52 and §§ 57–60 of Chapter VII; Chapters XI and XII; §§ 145–146 of Chapter XIV; Chapter XV; §§ 380–381 of Chapter XLII; §§ 387–389 of Chapter XLIII; §§ 391–396 of Chapter XLIV; §§ 397–399 of Chapter XLV; Chapter XLVI; Chapter XLVII; § 423 of Chapter XLIX; Chapter L; §§ 429–435 of Chapter LI; Chapters LII and LIII; Chapters LVI to LXXXI. – Various authors: Dieci lezioni di Diritto Privato, UTET, 2006: The following lessons are mandatory: Lesson 1 – The legal norm Lesson 2 – Interpretation of the law Lesson 8 – Judicial ascertainment of facts

Teaching Methods

The teaching method consists primarily of oral explanations by the instructor of the main concepts of the subject. During the lessons, student interaction is encouraged by asking them questions and inviting them to ask their own, in order to assess their level of understanding of the topics covered. In the final weeks of the course, two or three lessons are dedicated to meetings with leading representatives of major public and private companies.

Assessment Method

Oral exam

Thesis assignment criteria

Interview with the teacher

Week 1

1) Notions of Private Law and Public Law Required reading: Torrente: Chapter II, paragraphs 10 and 11; Zatti – Colussi: Chapters I and III; Carleo, Martuccelli, Ruperto: Part I, Chapter I; Galgano: Chapter I 2) Relationship between Private and Public Legal Protection (Case Law Analysis) Required reading: Court decisions published on the instructor’s LUISS webpage.

Week 2

1) Sources of Law and the Legal Norm Reference material: Various authors: Dieci lezioni di Diritto Privato, UTET, 2006: Lesson no. 1 2) Interpretation of the Law and Analogy Reference material: Various authors: Dieci lezioni di Diritto Privato, UTET, 2006: Lesson no. 2 – Case law analysis on the topics covered during the week Teaching material: Court decisions published on the instructor’s LUISS webpage

Week 3

1) Subjective Legal Situations Teaching material: – Torrente: Chapter VI – Zatti – Colussi: Chapters IV and V – Carleo, Martuccelli, Ruperto: Part I, Section IV, Chapter 1 – Galgano: Chapters I and III 2) The Subjects of the Legal Relationship and Property Teaching material: – Torrente: Chapters VII (excluding §§ 48–52 and 57–60) and VIII – Zatti – Colussi: Chapters VI and VIII – Carleo, Martuccelli, Ruperto: Part I, Section II, Chapters 1 and 2; Part I, Section III, Chapter 1 – Galgano: Chapter III; Chapter IV, paragraph 1 3) Case Law Analysis on the Topics Covered During the Week Teaching material: Court decisions published on the instructor’s LUISS webpage

Week 4

1) Ownership and Real Rights of Enjoyment Teaching material: – Torrente: Chapters XIII and XIV (excluding paragraphs 145–146) – Zatti – Colussi: Chapters IX to XII – Carleo, Martuccelli, Ruperto: Part IV, Section II, Chapters I to III – Galgano: Chapters IV, VI, VII, VIII 2) Possession Teaching material: – Torrente: Chapter XVI – Zatti – Colussi: Chapter XIII – Carleo, Martuccelli, Ruperto: Part IV, Section II, Chapter 4 – Galgano: Chapter V 3) Case Law Analysis on the Topics Covered During the Week Teaching material: Court decisions published on the instructor’s LUISS webpage

Week 5

1) Sources and General Regulation of Obligations Teaching material: – Torrente: Chapters XVII, XVIII, XIX – Zatti – Colussi: Chapters XV, XVII, and XVIII – Carleo, Martuccelli, Ruperto: Part V, Section I, Chapters 1 and 2 – Galgano: Chapter IX 2) Performance and Other Methods of Extinguishing Obligations Teaching material: – Torrente: Chapters XX and XXI – Zatti – Colussi: Chapter XVI – Carleo, Martuccelli, Ruperto: Part V, Section I, Chapters 4 and 5 – Galgano: Chapter X 3) Case Law Analysis on the Topics Covered During the Week Teaching material: Court decisions published on the instructor’s LUISS webpage

Week 6

1) Contract (Introductory Notions and Essential Elements) Teaching material: – Torrente: Chapters XXV, XXVIII, XXX, XXXI, XXXII, XXXIV – Zatti – Colussi: Chapter XX; Chapter XXI, paragraphs 1-2 and 7-11; Chapter XXII – Carleo, Martuccelli, Ruperto: Part V, Section II, Chapters 1 and 2 – Galgano: Chapters XI and XV 2) Negotiations and Conclusion of the Contract Teaching material: – Torrente: Chapters XXVI, XXX – Zatti – Colussi: Chapter XXI, paragraphs 3-6 – Carleo, Martuccelli, Ruperto: Part V, Section II, Chapter 5 – Galgano: Chapter XI, paragraphs 2 and 3 3) Case Law Analysis on the Topics Covered During the Week Teaching material: Court decisions published on the instructor’s LUISS webpage

Week 7

1) Nullity and Annulment Teaching material: – Torrente: Chapter XXVII – Zatti – Colussi: Chapter XXIII, paragraphs 1–8; Chapter XXXVII – Carleo, Martuccelli, Ruperto: Part V, Section II, Chapter 11 – Galgano: Chapter XII 2) Rescission and Termination Teaching material: – Torrente: Chapter XXXVIII – Zatti – Colussi: Chapter XXIII, paragraph 9; Chapter XXIV – Carleo, Martuccelli, Ruperto: Part V, Section II, Chapter 11 – Galgano: Chapter XVI 3) Case Law Analysis on the Topics Covered During the Week Teaching material: Court decisions published on the instructor’s LUISS webpage

Week 8

1) Representation Teaching material: – Torrente: Chapter XXIX – Zatti – Colussi: Chapter V, paragraphs 10–12; Chapter XXII, paragraphs 1–7 – Carleo, Martuccelli, Ruperto: Part I, Section IV, Chapter 1 – Galgano: Chapter XIV 2) Simulation Teaching material: – Torrente: Chapter XXXVI – Zatti – Colussi: Chapter XXII, paragraphs 8 and 9 – Carleo, Martuccelli, Ruperto: Part II, Section II, Chapter 1 – Galgano: Chapter XIII 3) Case Law Analysis on the Topics Covered During the Week Teaching material: Court decisions published on the instructor’s LUISS webpage

Week 9

1) Non-Contractual Liability Teaching material: – Torrente: Chapter LV – Zatti – Colussi: Chapter XXXIV – Carleo, Martuccelli, Ruperto: Part V, Section V, Chapter 1 – Galgano: Chapter XIX 2) Other Sources of Obligations Teaching material: – Torrente: Chapter LIV – Zatti – Colussi: Chapter XXX – Carleo, Martuccelli, Ruperto: Part V, Section IV, Chapter 1 – Galgano: Chapter XX 3) Case Law Analysis on the Topics Covered During the Week Teaching material: Court decisions published on the instructor’s LUISS webpage

Week 10

1) Judicial Determination of Facts Teaching material: – Various authors: Dieci lezioni di Diritto Privato, UTET, 2006: Judicial determination of facts (lesson no. 8). 2) Real Security Rights Teaching material: – Torrente: Chapters XXII and XXIII – Zatti – Colussi: Chapter XIX, paragraphs 1–7 – Carleo, Martuccelli, Ruperto: Part IV, Section II, Chapter 3 – Galgano: Chapter XXI, paragraphs 3–5 3) Case Law Analysis on the Topics Covered During the Week Teaching material: Court decisions published on the instructor’s LUISS webpage

Week 11

1) Actions to Protect Patrimonial Guarantees Teaching material: – Torrente: Chapters XXII and XXIV – Zatti – Colussi: Chapter XIX, paragraphs 8–11 – Carleo, Martuccelli, Ruperto: Part V, Section VI, Chapter 14 – Galgano: Chapter XXI, paragraphs 6 and 7 2) Prescription and Forfeiture Teaching material: – Torrente: Chapter X – Zatti – Colussi: Chapter LI – Carleo, Martuccelli, Ruperto: Part II, Section I, Chapter 1 – Galgano: Chapter XXIII 3) Case Law Analysis on the Topics Covered During the Week Teaching material: Court decisions published on the instructor’s LUISS webpage

Week 12

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