Italy tightens civil mediation rules, earmarks €400k for consumer fraud protection

Italian courts issued new civil mediation guidelines between May and July 2026, imposing sanctions on parties who refuse a judge‑proposed conciliation without justified reasons. The rulings from the Naples and Rome tribunals highlighted penalties for unjustified refusals and for abusing mediation to postpone enforcement, aiming to curb delay tactics in civil disputes.

The Emilia‑Romagna regional government approved two resolutions allocating a total of €400,000 to consumer‑association networks. One €200,000 tranche funds a €50 per case incentive for successful extrajudicial settlements or initiated conciliation procedures in 2026; the second €200,000 supports information and education projects targeting vulnerable groups, including awareness of AI‑generated scams and hidden advertising.