Avvocati

Avvocati are legal professionals who provide the full range of services related to the practice of law. They offer legal consulting, draft pleadings and contracts, negotiate settlements, and represent clients in court and before administrative bodies. In Italy, the term denotes members of the legal profession who can appear before judges and arbiters and provide formal legal opinions.

The scope of work for avvocati spans civil, criminal, administrative, and commercial matters, as well as specialized fields such as labor, tax, and family law. They may assist individuals, businesses, and public institutions, draft and review documents, advise on risk and compliance, and participate in mediation or arbitration. Rights of audience and the exact competences can vary by jurisdiction and court level, but in general avvocati are the primary advocates in litigation and formal proceedings in Italy.

Education and licensure require a formal path. Prospective avvocati obtain a laurea magistrale in giurisprudenza (law degree) and then complete a period of professional training, known as tirocinio forense, under the supervision of an experienced avvocato. They must then pass the esame di stato per l’abilitazione all’esercizio della professione forense to join the local Ordine degli Avvocati, the bar association. Adherence to the Codice Deontologico Forense and ongoing continuing education are required to maintain membership.

Professional bodies include the Consiglio Nazionale Forense (CNF) at the national level and the provincial Ordini degli Avvocati. The avvocato profession is distinct from notaries and judges, though collaboration with these roles is common in complex matters. The profession is regulated by national law in Italy, with alignment to European standards for cross-border practice where applicable.