How We Work with International Clients
Everything you need to know before engaging an Italian lawyer — from the first contact to the resolution of your case.
Working with a lawyer in another country raises practical questions. How do I start? What will it cost? How will we communicate? Do I need to travel? This page explains exactly how we work — step by step — so you know what to expect before, during and after engaging our firm.
Request an Initial legal assessment
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Step 1 — You Describe Your Situation, We Assess Your Case
How to contact us. You can reach us in three ways: through the contact form on our website (available on every page), by booking a video call through our online calendar, or by sending an email directly to info@studiolegalegiorgianni.it. WhatsApp is also available for initial contact.
What to include. Describe your situation in as much detail as possible: what happened, who is involved, what outcome you need and what documents you have. The more information you provide upfront, the faster and more accurate our assessment will be. If you have contracts, invoices, court documents, property records or correspondence — attach them.
What we do with your request. We review your submission, assess whether Italian law applies, determine whether we can assist and evaluate the complexity of the matter. This is not a generic reply — we analyse the specifics of your case. You typically receive our initial assessment within 48 hours of submission.
What if we cannot help? If your matter falls outside our areas of practice, or if we determine that legal action is not advisable in your situation, we will tell you honestly. We do not take on cases we cannot handle effectively.
Step 2 — You Receive a Written Proposal with Clear Fees
The written proposal. If we can assist, we send you a written proposal that covers: a description of the legal matter, the recommended strategy, the specific steps we will take, the expected timeline and the total fee. This proposal is your decision-making document — it contains everything you need to decide whether to proceed.
How fees work. Fees are agreed before any work begins. For straightforward matters (an eviction, a property purchase, a citizenship court case), fees are typically fixed — you know the total cost from the start. For complex or multi-phase matters (contested litigation, commercial disputes), fees may be structured by stage so you can evaluate costs as the case progresses. In all cases, the fee is disclosed in writing and agreed before engagement. There are no hidden charges.
No obligation. Receiving a proposal does not obligate you to proceed. You can take time to consider it, ask questions or decide not to engage. The initial assessment and proposal are provided without charge — you only pay if you decide to move forward.
Engagement. If you decide to proceed, we formalise the engagement with a written mandate (mandato professionale) that confirms the scope, fees and terms of service. At this point, work begins.
Step 3 — We Handle Your Case in Italy, You Stay Informed from Abroad
Direct communication with your lawyer. You communicate directly with the lawyer who handles your case. Not with an office manager, not with a paralegal, not with a chatbot. Every email, every call, every video conference is with the person who knows your file inside out.
How we communicate. Primary communication is by email — it creates a written record and works across time zones. Video calls (via Calendly/Zoom) are scheduled for complex discussions, strategy decisions or when you simply prefer face-to-face conversation. Phone calls and WhatsApp are available for urgent matters. We adapt to your preference.
Regular updates. You receive updates whenever there is a meaningful development in your case — a court filing, a response from the counterparty, a deadline approaching, a decision to be made. You are never left wondering what is happening. If there is a period of procedural waiting (common in Italian court proceedings), we let you know in advance so you understand the timeline.
Documents in English. Italian legal proceedings are conducted in Italian, but every key document, court order, contract and decision is explained to you in English. You always understand what is happening and what it means for your case.
Step 4 — We Act on Your Behalf in Italy Through Power of Attorney
Most legal actions in Italy require formal authorisation from the client. This is done through a power of attorney (procura), which authorises the lawyer to act in your name before courts, notaries, public authorities and counterparties.
For court proceedings: a procura alle liti (litigation power of attorney) is signed by you and authenticated. This can be done before a notary in your country with apostille.
For property transactions: a procura speciale (special power of attorney) allows the lawyer to sign contracts and deeds on your behalf before an Italian notary — including the final deed of sale (rogito).
For other legal actions: depending on the type of matter, different forms of authorisation may be required. We advise you on exactly what is needed and guide you through the signing process.
The practical result is that your Italian lawyer can do everything that needs to be done in Italy — without you needing to travel. Court hearings, notary appointments, negotiations, document filings, enforcement actions — all handled locally on your behalf.
Step 5 — Case Resolution and What Happens After
Once your legal matter is resolved — through a court judgment, a negotiated settlement, a completed transaction or an administrative resolution — we ensure that all formalities are completed: registrations filed, funds transferred, documents archived, obligations confirmed.
You receive a complete summary of the case: what was done, what was achieved, what costs were incurred and any ongoing obligations or deadlines you need to be aware of.
If your situation requires ongoing legal support — monitoring a judgment, managing a property, enforcing a court order, or handling a new matter that arises from the first — we remain available. Many of our clients return to us for additional matters after the first case is resolved.making.
Ready to Discuss Your Legal Matter in Italy?
If you have a legal matter in Italy and want to understand how it can be handled, the first step is simple: describe your situation and request an initial legal assessment. We will review your case, assess your options under Italian law and — if we can help — send you a clear proposal with scope, timeline and fees. No obligation, no pressure, no hidden cost.