A new procedure for notification of court summons is being introduced today as a pilot project involving cases being heard before Magistrate Francesco Depasquale.

The Justice Ministry explained that whereas to date, summons notices were handed out by policemen, they would henceforth be handed out by civilians, who would call at the registered address of the accused and witnesses at least twice, whether morning or afternoon, and even on Saturdays.  

Notices will be served to the address appearing on the electoral register.

When the accused or witnesses are not found after at least two attempts, the summons will be dropped in a letter box or affixed to the door. A notice listing accused people who were not found and who had the summons posted to their door or dropped in a letterbox, as well as the charges they face, will be published in a newspaper. 

When an accused person or a witness still fails to appear in court, the magistrate may order that he/she be arraigned under arrest.

The ministry in a statement also appealed to the Opposition to accept its proposal for cases to be held in absentia when an accused person, despite being notified, still fails to appear in court. This will apply to minor cases (district or traffic) and will include the safeguards found in European countries.