Punitive Damages under the Lens of Constitutionality: the Role of the Hierarchy of Values

In summary, the precept “according to the hierarchy of values of the legal system” is able to justify the award of punitive damages in the absence of a specific statutory provision. This operational solution can be used to punish both torts and breaches of contract if the interest of the aggrieved party or debtor converges with the satisfaction of public policy goals. The judicial order to pay extra-compensatory damages for breaches of contract also requires that they are previously agreed upon by the interested parties. On the methodological level, a final consideration is appropriate: these operating rules are not legitimated by the argument concerning the “multi-functional nature of civil liability”, but rather they are laid down by the reasoning focused on their constitutionality.