The electronic civil process is also underway in cassation
Protocol for the start of the PCT signed. Bonafede: "An important step in the modernization process of Justice"
A Protocol was signed this afternoon in via Arenula for the initiation of the electronic civil trial in the Supreme Court. The agreement was signed by the Keeper Alfonso Bonafede, the First President of the Court of Cassation Pietro Curzio, the Attorney General of the Court of Cassation Giovanni Salvi, the Attorney General of the State Gabriella Palmieri Sandulli, the acting President of the National Bar Council Maria Masi and the Coordinator of the Forensic Congress Body Giovanni Malinconico.
On October 26, the official experimentation phase of the filing of the deeds of the parties will start to test the functionality of the system, which will lead to the implementation of the electronic legitimacy process.
The Protocol outlines the steps to implement the electronic civil process in the Supreme Court according to a gradual scheme: in the first instance (i.e. from 26 October) there will be a double-track experimentation, by paper and electronic means, in which however only the paper will have legal value ; at a later stage, the electronic filing will be optional but with legal value for introductory documents. Immediately afterwards, the possibility of electronically filing with legal value also for magistrates will follow.
The chancelleries already send electronic communications but, with the start of the digitization of the acts of lawyers and magistrates, they will be able to fully manage the procedural file electronically and the quality and duration of the work processes will have an improvement, as already occurred in the first and second degree.
The protocol sees the Public Prosecutor's Office immediately participating in the digitization process of the legitimacy offices, for which the telematic management of the documents will also be made possible.
The telematic civil trial already represents a consolidated reality in the judgment of merit (first instance and appeal): since 2014 there are 50 million native digital documents filed by lawyers, 30 million those of magistrates and 110 million electronic communications delivered.
As explained by the Keeper of the Seals, the agreement therefore represents "a fundamental step to accelerate the path of modernization and digitalization of Justice": "A path already well underway, as shown by the considerable numbers recorded by the development of the telematic civil process in the judgment of merit. The commitment signed today is even more necessary in the difficult period we are experiencing due to the pandemic. The technology to support the telematic process has, in fact, made it possible in the most acute phase of the health emergency to guarantee the performance of an essential service such as the judicial one ".
The First President of the Court of Cassation Pietro Curzio expressed his deep satisfaction with the signing of the protocol: "Thanks to the commitment of the Ministry and the collaboration of all those involved, it will be possible to complete the digitization of the civil process, improving the quality of justice and labor service for all and allowing, in this moment of health emergency, to strengthen the levels of protection and safety ".
“Today's is an important step in which the Attorney General participates with determination, hoping that the telematic criminal trial can also be started soon - commented the Attorney General of the Cassation, Giovanni Salvi -. I thank the ministerial structures for their generous commitment ”.