Italy's ANF supports new approach to judicial geography reform

The National Forensic Association (ANF) submitted a position paper to the Justice Commission of the Chamber of Deputies on bill C.2646, which revises Italy's judicial districts and incorporates proposals from Justice Minister Carlo Nordio. While welcoming the shift from the linear court closures of the 2012 reform, ANF stressed the need to consider regional specificities.

In Abruzzo, ANF urged that the four sub‑provincial courts in Avezzano, Lanciano, Sulmona and Vasto remain permanently open, citing a Bank of Italy study linking greater distance from a tribunal to a 6% drop in case filings per 5 km. In Sicily, the association opposed removing several municipalities from the Siracusa district to create a new Modica court, arguing it would divert judges and staff.

ANF also rejected the proposal for a “Tribunal of the Pedemontana” in Bassano del Grappa, warning that the new court would drain resources from already understaffed offices in Vicenza, Padova and Treviso. The association backed the creation of an autonomous Court of Appeal in Sassari (bill C.2770), while noting that the rise of remote hearings reduces the necessity of physical proximity and cautions against wasteful public spending.