Palermo Court of Appeal presidency contested in legal appeal

A legal dispute has emerged regarding the presidency of the Palermo Court of Appeal following the appointment of Antonio Balsamo by the High Council of the Judiciary (CSM) on February 18, 2026. Maria Giuseppa Di Marco, a magistrate and rival candidate for the position, has filed an appeal with the Tar Lazio to annul the decision and has requested a precautionary suspension of the appointment.

Di Marco, who currently presides over the Labor Section of the Palermo Court of Appeal, challenges the CSM's assessment that the two candidates' professional backgrounds were ‘substantially equivalent.’ Her legal team argues that the council improperly prioritized Balsamo’s 21-month leadership role at the Palermo Tribunal—an appointment based on a title later annulled by administrative justice—over Di Marco’s 21 years of second-degree judicial experience and her long-standing semi-directive and management roles.

The CSM, the Ministry of Justice, and Antonio Balsamo have all joined the proceedings. The President of the Tar Lazio has scheduled the hearing for October 21.