The paper assesses the impact of the judicial map reform, implemented between 2013 and 2014, on the functioning of the civil justice system in Italy. The merger of smaller courts and branch offices resulted in a significant increase in the size of the judicial offices. The effects of the resulting economies of scale and specialization on the demand for and supply of justice are examined, providing some indications as to the optimal scale for providing this public service.
The reform has led to a reduction in new cases, presumably due to the higher costs associated with an increased distance from the courts. The effect is greater in some areas where there is greater discretion in the decision on whether to initiate a case, such as torts. The reform has also increased the ability to settle cases and reduced their duration, with improvements especially in more complex matters and in courts that were initially less efficient.
