compravendita

Compravendita, or sale, is a contract by which one party, the seller, agrees to deliver a thing and transfer its ownership to another party, the buyer, in exchange for a price. It is a core contract in civil law governing the transfer of goods, movable and immovable.

The essential elements are the consent of the parties, the object (the thing), and the price. The seller's obligations are to deliver the thing, transfer ownership, and guarantee that the title is free from eviction and that the object is free from hidden defects within the limits set by law. The buyer's obligation is to pay the price and take delivery. Both parties may agree on additional warranties or conditions.

Ownership generally passes to the buyer upon delivery, unless the contract provides otherwise. The risk of loss or deterioration usually transfers with delivery, subject to any agreement to the contrary.

Formally, sales of movable goods can be concluded verbally, but transfers of real estate require a written deed, typically public, and registration. In commercial practice, the contract is often documented in writing and may specify delivery terms, payment timing, and transfer of documents.

In consumer transactions, there are statutory guarantees of conformity and remedies that supplement the seller's warranties. The compravendita framework thus balances transfer of property with price payment and defined rights and remedies for both parties.