Published on 6 January 2025
 
FIRST SECTION
Application no. 10246/23
Oscar LOJODICE against Italy
and 25 other applications
(see list appended)
communicated on 12 December 2024
SUBJECT MATTER OF THE CASE
The applications concern the non-enforcement of “Pinto” decisions. The applicant is a lawyer and acted as counsel for a number of individuals who instituted proceedings before domestic courts under Law no. 89 of 24 March 2001 (the “Pinto Act”). He declared that he had advanced all the requisite court costs on behalf of the plaintiffs and had not received payment of these fees.
Through the decisions listed in the appended table, domestic courts awarded legal costs and fees directly to him.
Due to the authorities’ prolonged failure to comply with the decisions, the applicant introduced separate sets of enforcement proceedings before the administrative courts. In some cases, the administrative courts recognised the decisions’ enforceability and ordered the Ministry of Justice to enforce them. In other cases, they found reasons to reject the applicant’s claim (see the appended table for details).
The applicant complains that the authorities’ failure to comply with the binding and enforceable “Pinto” decisions violated his right of access to court under Article 6 § 1 of the Convention. In respect of applications nos. 16631/23, 18817/23, 21812/23, 22836/23, 29808/23, 29809/23, 29815/23 and 39648/23, the applicant also complains of a violation of his rights under Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 to the Convention.
QUESTIONS TO THE PARTIES
Has the applicant suffered a violation of Article 6 § 1 of the Convention and, in respect of the applications where the complaint has been raised, of Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 to the Convention (see appended table)?
 
In particular, did the non-enforcement of the “Pinto” decisions impair the essence of the rights protected under one or both these provisions (see Sabin Popescu v. Romania, no. 48102/99, §§ 64-66, 76, 2 March 2004)?
 
The parties are invited to submit all relevant documents pertaining to the non-enforcement of the domestic decisions, not already in the case files.
APPENDIX
List of applications raising complaints under Article 6 § 1of the Convention (non-enforcement of Pinto domestic decisions)
No.
Application no.
Case name
Introduction date
Pinto proceedings
Enforcement proceedings
Start date of non-enforcement
Other complaints under well-established case-law
1.
10246/23
Lojodice v. Italy
27/02/2023
Lecce Court of Appeal
R.G. 483/2009
22/03/2010
(N. Quercia)
Court of Cassation
R.G. 12606/2011
03/08/2015
Lazio Regional Administrative Court
R.G. 14282/2018
11/08/2020
Judgment ordering the Ministry of Justice to enforce the “Pinto” decision, making the payment conditional either on the provision of a guarantee by the applicant in view of the criminal proceedings pending against him, or on the previous payment of his debts arising from such proceedings.
03/08/2015, pending
 
2.
10549/23
Lojodice v. Italy
27/02/2023
Lecce Court of Appeal
R.G. 946/2008
03/05/2010
(G. Mintrone)
Court of Cassation
R.G. 15498/2011
28/07/2015
Lazio Regional Administrative Court
R.G. 14374/2018
19/03/2020
Judgment ordering the Ministry of Justice to enforce the “Pinto” decision, making the payment conditional on the provision of a guarantee by the applicant in view of the criminal proceedings pending against him.
28/07/2015, pending
 
3.
14108/23
Lojodice v. Italy
11/03/2023
Lecce Court of Appeal
R.G. 88/2013
12/03/2013
(A. Lippolis)
Council of State
R.G. 970/2016
24/12/2019
Judgment ordering the Ministry of Justice to enforce the “Pinto” decision, making the payment conditional on the provision of a guarantee by the applicant in view of the criminal proceedings pending against him.
12/03/2013, pending
 
4.
16631/23
Lojodice v. Italy
11/04/2023
Lecce Court of Appeal
R.G. 442/2008
09/06/2009
(G. Del Vecchio)
Court of Cassation
R.G. 19043/2010
10/10/2011
Lazio Regional Administrative Court
R.G. 14216/2018
20/03/2020
Judgment ordering the Ministry of Justice to enforce the “Pinto” decision, making the payment conditional on the provision of a guarantee by the applicant in view of the criminal proceedings pending against him.
10/10/2011, pending
Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 to the Convention
5.
18817/23
Lojodice v. Italy
02/05/2023
Lecce Court of Appeal
R.G. 1034/2011
12/08/2013
(V. Prudente)
Puglia Regional Administrative Court
R.G. 639/2015
13/07/2015
Judgment declaring inadmissible the enforcement proceedings for the lack of evidence concerning the definitive character of the “Pinto” decision.
 
Puglia Regional Administrative Court
R.G. 1481/2019
18/03/2022
Judgment declaring inadmissible the enforcement proceedings for the lack of evidence concerning the definitive character of the “Pinto” decision.
12/08/2013, pending
Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 of the Convention
6.
21812/23
Lojodice v. Italy
18/05/2023
Lecce Court of Appeal
R.G. 897/2009
03/12/2010
(F. Tirelli)
Court of Cassation
R.G. 15546/2011
04/09/2015
Lazio Regional Administrative Court
R.G. 10891/2016
13/03/2017
Order suspending the enforceability of the “Pinto” decision until the conclusion of criminal proceedings for offences related to “Pinto” decisions enforcement proceedings (including the Lecce Court of Appeal’s decree, R.G. 897/2009, 03/12/2010).
04/09/2015, pending
Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 of the Convention
7.
22836/23
Lojodice v. Italy
18/05/2023
Lecce Court of Appeal
R.G. 487/2009
22/03/2010
(A.D. D’Aniello)
Court of Cassation
R.G. 12614/2011
28/07/2015
Lazio Regional Administrative Court
R.G. 14303/2018
24/06/2020
Judgment ordering the Ministry of Justice to enforce the “Pinto” decision, making the payment conditional either on the provision of a guarantee by the applicant in view of the criminal proceedings pending against him, or on the previous payment of his debts arising from such proceedings.
28/07/2015, pending
Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 of the Convention
8.
29808/23
Lojodice v. Italy
10/07/2023
Lecce Court of Appeal
R.G. 808/2009
30/09/2010
(A.M. La Tegola)
Court of Cassation
R.G. 9053/2011
30/12/2011
Lazio Regional Administrative Court
R.G. 11951/2015
14/10/2019
Order rejecting the applicant’s request to substitute the special commissioner, mentioning a previous order making the payment conditional on the provision of a guarantee by the applicant.
30/12/2011, pending
Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 of the Convention
9.
29809/23
Lojodice v. Italy
10/07/2023
Lecce Court of Appeal
R.G. 482/2009
22/03/2010
(M. Pisicchio)
Court of Cassation
R.G. 12607/2011
03/08/2015
Lazio Regional Administrative Court
R.G. 14283/2018
20/07/2020
Judgment ordering the Ministry of Justice to enforce the “Pinto” decision, making the payment conditional either on the provision of a guarantee by the applicant in view of the criminal proceedings pending against him, or on the previous payment of his debts arising from such proceedings.
03/08/2015, pending
Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 of the Convention
10.
29815/23
Lojodice v. Italy
08/07/2023
Lecce Court of Appeal
R.G. 1078/2009
07/06/2010
(P. Perrone)
Court of Cassation
R.G. 2164/2011
28/07/2015
Lazio Regional Administrative Court
R.G. 14286/2018
21/07/2020
Judgment ordering the Ministry of Justice to enforce the “Pinto” decision, making the payment conditional either on the provision of a guarantee by the applicant in view of the criminal proceedings pending against him, or on the previous payment of his debts arising from such proceedings.
28/07/2015, pending
Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 of the Convention
11.
39648/23
Lojodice v. Italy
27/10/2023
Lecce Court of Appeal
R.G. 1079/09
17/06/2010
(R. Larosa)
Court of Cassation
R.G. 2168/2011
28/12/2011
Lazio Regional Administrative Court
R.G. 15016/2015
26/08/2016
Judgment ordering the Ministry of Justice to enforce the “Pinto” decision.
28/12/2011, pending
Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 of the Convention
12.
1954/24
Lojodice v. Italy
29/12/2023
Bari Court of Appeal
R.G. 479/2007
27/12/2007
(L. Patruno)
Court of cassation
R.G. 8891/2008
11/05/2010
Lazio Regional Administrative Court
R.G. 11849/2014
14/01/2016
Judgment ordering the Ministry of Justice to enforce the “Pinto” decision.
11/05/2010, pending
 
13.
4107/24
Lojodice v. Italy
30/01/2024
Lecce Court of Appeal
R.G. 898/2009
03/12/2010
(M. Ranieri, G. Ranieri,
L. Ranieri, O. Ranieri,
T. Ranieri)
Court of Cassation
R.G.15556/2011
04/09/2015
Lazio Regional Administrative Court
R.G. 10896/2016
19/07/2018
Judgment ordering the Ministry of Justice to enforce the “Pinto” decision.
04/09/2015, pending
 
14.
4167/24
Lojodice v. Italy
29/01/2024
Lecce Court of Appeal
R.G. 1047/2009
03/06/2010
(A.M. Dirienzo)
 
Court of Cassation
R.G. 2078/2011
23/12/2011
Lazio Regional Administrative Court
R.G. 11948/2015
22/03/2016
 
Judgment ordering the Ministry of Justice to enforce the “Pinto” decision.
 
Lazio Regional Administrative Court
R.G. 11948/2015
01/12/2017
 
Order suspending the enforceability of the “Pinto” decision until the conclusion of criminal proceedings for offences related to “Pinto” decisions enforcement proceedings.
23/12/2011, pending
 
15.
4170/24
Lojodice v. Italy
29/01/2024
Lecce Court of Appeal
R.G. 730/2008
04/02/2010
(A. Lippolis)
Court of Cassation
R.G. 5896/2011
23/12/2011
Lazio Regional Administrative Court
R.G. 11959/2015
24/03/2016
Judgment ordering the Ministry of Justice to enforce the “Pinto” decision.
Lazio Regional Administrative Court
R.G. 11959/2015
28/11/2017
Order suspending the enforceability of the “Pinto” decision until the conclusion of criminal proceedings for offences related to “Pinto” decisions enforcement proceedings (including the Lecce Court of Appeal’s decree R.G. 730/2008, 04/02/2010).
Lazio Regional Administrative Court
R.G. 11959/2015
07/02/2019
Order requesting the Ministry of Justice to provide information about the criminal proceedings pending against the applicant.
23/12/2011, pending
 
16.
4395/24
Lojodice v. Italy
30/01/2024
Bari Court of Appeal
R.G. 483/2007
27/12/2007
(L. Rosati)
Court of Cassation
R.G. 8883/2008
11/05/2010
Lazio Regional Administrative Court
R.G. 11844/2014
14/01/2016
Judgment ordering the Ministry of Justice to enforce the “Pinto” decision.
11/05/2010, pending
 
17.
4398/24
Lojodice v. Italy
30/01/2024
Lecce Court of Appeal
R.G. 15/2010
31/05/2010
(G. Lotito)
Court of Cassation
R.G. 2161/2011
29/12/2011
Lazio Regional Administrative Court
R.G. 15018/2015
18/10/2016
Judgment ordering the Ministry of Justice to enforce the “Pinto” decision.
29/12/2011, pending
 
18.
4402/24
Lojodice v. Italy
30/01/2024
Lecce Court of Appeal
R.G. 903/2008
29/03/2010
(V. Romita, A. Romita)
Court of Cassation
R.G. 12612/2011
28/07/2015
Lazio Regional Administrative Court
R.G. 14383/2018
24/06/2020
Judgment ordering the Ministry of Justice to enforce the “Pinto” decision, making the payment conditional either on the provision of a guarantee by the applicant in view of the criminal proceedings pending against him, or on the previous payment of his debts arising from such proceedings.
28/07/2015, pending
 
19.
4404/24
Lojodice v. Italy
30/01/2024
Lecce Court of Appeal
R.G. 944/2008
03/05/2010
(A. Mazzilli)
 
Court of Cassation
R.G. 15538/2011
04/09/2015
Lazio Regional Administrative Court
R.G. 10883/2016
13/03/2017
 
Order suspending the enforcement proceedings until the conclusion of criminal proceedings for offences related to “Pinto” decisions enforcement proceedings
04/09/2015, pending
 
20.
4407/24
Lojodice v. Italy
02/02/2024
Lecce Court of Appeal
R.G. 725/2008
03/12/2009
(V. Lisi)
Court of Cassation
R.G. 2003/2011
29/12/2011
Lazio Regional Administrative Court
R.G. 11957/2015
24/03/2016
Judgment ordering the Ministry of Justice to enforce the “Pinto” decision.
29/12/2011, pending
 
21.
4409/24
Lojodice v. Italy
02/02/2024
Lecce Court of Appeal
R.G. 118/2009
30/12/2010
(A. Guastamacchia)
Court of cassation
R.G. 15503/2011
28/07/2015
Lazio Regional Administrative Court
R.G. 14302/2018
24/06/2020
Judgment ordering the Ministry of Justice to enforce the “Pinto” decision making the payment conditional either on the provision of a guarantee by the applicant in view of the criminal proceedings pending against him, or on the previous payment of his debts arising from such proceedings.
28/07/2015, pending
 
22.
4412/24
Lojodice v. Italy
02/02/2024
Lecce Court of Appeal
R.G. 1076/2009
17/06/2010
(R. Marcone)
Court of cassation
R.G. 26233/2010
21/12/2011
Lazio Regional Administrative Court
R.G. 11945/2015
22/03/2016
Judgment ordering the Ministry of Justice to enforce the “Pinto” decision.
21/12/2010, pending
 
23.
4413/24
Lojodice v. Italy
02/02/2024
Lecce Court of Appeal
R.G. 899/2009
03/12/2010
(V. Lo Russo)
Court of Cassation
R.G. 15549/2011
04/09/2015
Lazio Regional Administrative Court
R.G. 10892/2016
19/01/2018
Judgment ordering the Ministry of Justice to enforce the “Pinto” decision.
04/09/2015, pending
 
24.
4421/24
Lojodice v. Italy
02/02/2024
Lecce Court of Appeal
R.G. 220/2008
25/11/2008
(N. Prussiano)
Court of Cassation
R.G. 4774/2009
09/02/2011
Lazio Regional Administrative Court
R.G. 14211/2018
19/03/2020
Judgment ordering the Ministry of Justice to enforce the “Pinto” decision, making the payment conditional on the provision of a guarantee by the applicant in view of the criminal proceedings pending against him.
09/02/2011, pending
 
25.
4423/24
Lojodice v. Italy
01/02/2024
Lecce Court of Appeal
R.G. 1095/2009
31/05/2010
(A. Lischi)
Court of Cassation
R.G. 2176/2011
19/12/2011
Lazio Regional Administrative Court
R.G. 15012/2015
28/11/2017
Order suspending the enforceability of the “Pinto” decision until the conclusion of criminal proceedings for offences related to “Pinto” decision (including the Lecce Court of Appeal’s decree, R.G. 1095/2009, 31/05/2010).
19/12/2011, pending
 
26.
7712/24
Lojodice v. Italy
06/03/2024
Lecce Court of Appeal
R.G. 900/2009
03/12/2010
(S. Lops)
Court of Cassation
R.G. 15500/2011
28/07/2015
Lazio Regional Administrative Court
R.G. 14363/2018
22/07/2020
Judgment ordering the Ministry of Justice to enforce the “Pinto” decision, making the payment conditional either on the provision of a guarantee by the applicant in view of the criminal proceedings pending against him, or on the previous payment of his debts arising from such proceedings.
28/07/2015, pending