As such, the firm is well placed to deal with transactions where an understanding of both legal jurisdictions and both cultures is necessary, and has accrued substantial experience in assisting Italians investing outside Italy (where the English language and experience of operating in the Anglo Saxon legal system is essential) and English speaking clients investing in Italy (where the knowledge of both legal systems and languages is essential).
Our specific areas of expertise include:
Company Commercial Law:
All commercial
contractual matters, in particular the drafting and negotiation of
contractual documentation in the technology / software fields such
as technical know-how and licence agreements; share / asset
sale / purchase agreements and agreements for services, licensing, distribution, purchase
and agency agreements for the fashion industry; joint ventures and cost
sharing arrangements and ‘preliminary’ agreements such
as confidentiality agreements and letters of intent.
Real estate law
Advising both
Italian and foreign clients in relation to all aspects
of real estate transactions, in relation to both residential
and commercial property, including tax structuring (purchase
of real estate via an Italian company or through a company
set up in a different legal jurisdiction); advising on
all aspects of the acquisition process under Italian law including
(where required) negotiation of agents’ fees and
negotiation of the purchase price and formulation of the
written offer to purchase (binding under Italian law); advising in
relation to pre-emption rights issues, drafting
and negotiation of preliminary contracts and completion
before a notary and advising on all aspects of mortgage finance in
relation to real estate acquisition transactions. 
Buying & Selling
Properties in ItalyThis memorandum is intended to provide information regarding the acquisition of real property in Italy, with a specific focus on business property. It is important to note that the Italian legal system, in consideration of its particular historical background, attributes to a notary (Notaio) a predominant role in drafting the purchase agreement of land or buildings. Contrarily to what generally happens in common law countries, where the role played by the lawyer in real estate transactions is exhaustive, Italian lawyers are involved in such commercial transactions mainly in the preparatory phase which consists in the conducting of due diligence and negotiations between the parties. In any event the following information will be applicable in both legal systems.
On going real estate management services
In
the case of real estate acquired through an Italian or foreign
company, or by individuals and rented out to third.parties, we also provide management services including dealing with Italian tax returns and refuse tax and compliance with all tax and administrative requirements.
Inheritance law and inheritance tax
Italy
has rules of ‘forced heirship’, whereby
specific members of one’s family are entitled to specific proportions
of one’s estate on death and it is not possible to disinherit
them. 
Such
forced heirship rules may well apply in relation to real estate
owned by foreigners in Italy, unless specific action is taken
to ensure that the laws of the county in which the deceased was resident
immediately prior to his / her death apply to the distribution of his
/ her estate on death. This may come as a surprise to foreign clients who come from jurisdictions based on ‘free testament’ so long as an individual executes a will determining the distribution of his / her estate after death. We are able to advise of the impact of Italian succession law, liability for inheritance tax in Italy and in the country of origin and the double tax treaty rules which apply in each case.
Advice and services for foreigners wishing to obtain visa or take up residence in Italy
As a result of several years’ experience working with the Leader Company specialising in foreigners relocating, or living in Florence either on a temporary or permanent basis DotFlorence Srl:www.studentsville.it
www.apartmentsinflorence.net
www.bedandbreakfastflorence.com
www.tuscan-holidays.net
www.florencehouse.it.
The
firm has extensive experience in dealing with a broad range of
bureaucratic issues encountered by foreigners moving to, or living
in Florence, navigating the complex Italian ‘red tape’ to
fulfil administrative obligations on behalf of clients efficiently
and in the shortest possible time.Our services include dealing with applications for permits to stay, visas (passport) for tourism and studying purposes, residency and work permits and official translations of legal documents sworn before the court in Florence for the use in legal proceedings of both a contentious and non contentious nature in Italy.
General civil litigation
Our team of lawyers have solid general civil litigation experience. Our specialisation, however, lies in advising foreign clients in relation to disputes arising in Italy, in particular of a personal injury nature and in relation to issues relating to agreements for the rental of accommodation and review of legal documentation.Translation of Legal Documents
Typical documents submitted to us for translation and/or proof reading are:
• Contracts
(referencing Italian Civil Code) • Marriage Decrees
• Divorce Judgements
• Dual Citizenship documents
• Birth & Death Certificates
• Child Custody Agreements
• Adoptions
• Balance Sheets
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ITALYLAWFIRMS at Phone number (0039) 055 23 81 442 |
Avv. Michele Ambrogio m.ambrogio@italylawfirms.com Avv. Kostantina Bania k.bania@italylawfirms.com |