31 July 2010
RESTRICTIONS ON THE ISSUE OF LICENCES FOR THE OPENING OF NEW PHARMACIES MAY BE JUSTIFIED BY A PUBLIC INTEREST

The European Court of Justice has decided a controversial case in which 8 governments submitted written observations; the Spanish law at issue provides what follows:
  1) new pharmacies can be opened only after obtaining an administrative authorization, which is granted at the end a public examination;
  2) in each territory the number of pharmacies depends on the number of inhabitants;
  3) each new pharmacy shall be located at least 250 meters away from existing pharmacies.
The Court ruled that such national legislation constitutes a restriction on the freedom of establishment because it has the effect to make less attractive the exercise by pharmacists from other Member States of their activities on Spanish territory.
However the Court acknowledged that such limitation is applicable without discrimination on grounds of nationality, and finally ruled that such national legislation is justified by the objective of ensuring that the provision of medicinal products to the public is reliable and of good quality.

Court of Justice, judgement 1 June 2010

22 July 2010
NEW PROCEDURE FOR ITALIAN ADMINISTRATIVE LAWSUITS

Starting from 16th September 2010 amministrative lawsuits shall be regulated by a new procedure, which is very similar to the ordinary procedure for all other civil cases.

Decree 2 July 2010, n. 104

26 March 2010
ITALIAN LAW IS NOW ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYBODY

On 19 March 2010 Italian Government published the first free database regarding Italian law, which can be accessed by everybody on the Internet.

Normattiva official site

12 March 2010
COMPULSORY MEDIATION BEFORE CIVIL AND COMMERCIAL LITIGATION

Starting from 20 March 2011, most of civil and commercial lawsuits shall be preceded by mediation proceedings, which shall be concluded within four months.
Lawyers shall inform clients in writing about the advantages of mediation, and such document shall be submitted to the Judge attached to the writ of summons.

Decree 4 March 2010 n. 28

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