Quod omnes tangit …

Abstract

In a multi-facetted judgment the European Court of Human Rights unanimously condemns Italy for that state’s failure to comply with the Rome Treaty’s provisions guaranteeing defence rights to citizens in the so-called Pellegrini case . The adversarial principle enshrined in what constitutes a fair hearing in the sense of art 6 § 1, holds under all circumstances, the Court rules, including procedures of Ecclesiastical Courts insofar as these would be granted civil effect (exequatur).