ITALIAN PRIVATE LAW

The course aims to introduce students to the basic knowledge of private law and give them the capacity of understanding and using properly the legal language and the method of interpretation.

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Knowledge and understanding. The course aims to provide students with the basic notions and fundamental principles of the legal system governing relationships among private parties, with particular attention to the method of economic analysis of private law. Special emphasis will be placed on the main areas of Italian private law, with references to European private law: general principles, family law, succession law, property law, obligations and contracts, tort liability, patrimonial liability and security interests. Applying knowledge and understanding. The course is intended to provide students with the tools for a first systematic approach to law, enabling them to apply legal rules to concrete cases and to understand the relationships between institutions, law and economics. Making judgements. Students will acquire the methodological tools necessary to use the basic legal knowledge gained during the course in the professional contexts in which they may operate. They will therefore be able to critically analyse the principles and rules governing relationships among private parties and between private parties and the institutions of economic law, both public and private, at national, European and international level. Communication skills. These skills will be assessed mainly during the final oral examination and will also be monitored throughout the course through class discussion and interaction with students. Learning skills. The availability of teaching materials on the Moodle platform, including slides and practice materials, will support ongoing interaction between students and lecturer and will foster the development of an autonomous method of study, with particular regard to legislative and case-law developments in a subject characterised by continuous legal change.

The course deals with the main areas of Italian private law, with references to European private law, including general principles, family law, succession law, property law, obligations and contracts, tort liability, patrimonial liability and security interests.

F. Di Ciommo, Manuale di diritto privato, Turin, Giappichelli, 2nd ed., 2025. An updated edition of the Italian Civil Code, including the Constitution and the main private law legislation.

Lectures will focus on an in-depth analysis of the topics included in the course contents, with constant reference to practical cases. Teaching activities may also make use of slides, class discussion and guided exercises.

The course includes a mandatory mid-term test, to be taken in written form during the period scheduled by the School for the suspension of classes. The mid-term test is aimed at assessing the knowledge acquired in the first part of the course and the ability to apply that knowledge to questions and practical cases. The final examination consists of an oral interview. Students are expected to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the main topics of the course, the ability to frame them systematically, and the ability to apply the relevant legal rules and institutions to practical cases, using proper legal terminology. The final grade is expressed in thirtieths and takes into account both the mid-term test and the final oral examination, according to the criteria communicated by the lecturer at the beginning of the course and consistently with the Luiss educational model applicable to the course. Assessment will focus in particular on: a) knowledge and understanding of the main legal institutions and principles; b) ability to apply the acquired knowledge to practical cases; c) proper use of legal terminology; d) ability to identify the relevant sources and to develop an autonomous method of study. Serious gaps concerning one or more institutions or principles may lead to a failing grade even where the student shows only partial knowledge of the subject. Failure to achieve the minimum passing grade results in failure of the examination. For students to whom the current Luiss educational model applies, the School’s rules on the conduct of examinations and on the non-refusability of grades remain applicable.

Upon request by students showing a genuine interest in the subject. The final paper must be submitted to the lecturer in its final version at least thirty days before the relevant administrative deadline.