Income Tax – claim for repayment under UK-Bangladesh Double Tax Treaty – HMRC application for appeal to be struck out for lack of jurisdiction Citations: [2020] UKFTT 494 (TC) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Income Tax Updated: 27 November 2022; Ref: scu.661807
Post judgment orders Citations: [2019] EWHC 2496 (Comm) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: See Also – SAS Institute Inc v World Programming Ltd ChD 23-Jul-2010 The court considered the impact of the distinction drawn by Article 9(2) of TRIPS and Article 2 of the WIPO Copyright Treaty between ‘expressions’ and ‘ideas, procedures, methods … Continue reading SAS Institute Inc v World Programming Ltd (2495): ComC 25 Sep 2019
SAS sought to enforce its North Carolina judgment which was contrary to decisions already made by the UK and European Courts. Held: Cockerill J held that the terms of the contract which purported to prohibit WPL’s conduct constituted a fundamental building block for the fraud claim and that without it that claim – as it … Continue reading SAS Institute Inc v World Programming Ltd: ComC 13 Dec 2018
ECJ (Grand Chamber) Intellectual property – Directive 91/250/EEC – Legal protection of computer programs – Articles 1(2) and 5(3) – Scope of protection – Creation directly or via another process – Computer program protected by copyright – Reproduction of the functions by a second program without access to the source code of the first program … Continue reading SAS Institute Inc v World Programming Ltd: ECJ 2 May 2012
ECJ Opinion – Intellectual property – Directive 91/250/EEC – Directive 2001/29/EC – Legal protection of computer programs – Creation of various programs including the functionalities of another computer program without access to the latter’s source code Judges: Bot AG Citations: C-406/10, [2011] EUECJ C-406/10 Links: Bailii Statutes: Directive 91/250/EEC, Directive 2001/29/EC Jurisdiction: European Citing: At … Continue reading SAS Institute Inc v World Programming Ltd: ECJ 29 Nov 2011
In each case the applicant, a company based in Ireland had employed in its restaurants, Chinese nationals who were unlawfully present here. The company sought judicial review of the arrest of its employees. Held: ‘None of the claimants had any entitlement to rely on Article 49 and the posted workers cases because the third party … Continue reading Low and Others, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: Admn 21 Jan 2009
The claimant had come from France to England, and worked as a teaching assistant. She set out on a course to train as a teacher but became pregnant, gave up the course, and eventually gave up work temporarily. Her claim to Income Support was refused on the basis that she was not a ‘worker’, and … Continue reading Prix v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: SC 31 Oct 2012
Europa (Judgment) By application lodged at the Registry of the Court on 28 November 2000, the Commission of the European Communities brought this action under Article 226 EC for a declaration that, by failing to adopt all the laws, regulations and administrative measures necessary to comply with Directive 98/4/EC of the European Parliament and of … Continue reading Commission v France: ECJ 21 Jun 2001
An allegation was made that Cuban cigars imported by the claimant infringed the trade marks of the respondents being either counterfeit or parallel imports, and were impounded. The claimant sought a declaration of non-infringement and their release, saying that the respondents had consented to the import within the Directive. Held: The appeal succeeded. The Cuban … Continue reading Mastercigars Direct Ltd v Hunters and Frankau Ltd: CA 8 Mar 2007
ECJ 1. The prohibition on the levying of charges having an effect equivalent to customs duties, whether it has its origin in the general rule contained in article 13 of the treaty with effect from 1 january 1970, at the end of the transitional period, or in the special provision of article 12 of regulation … Continue reading Amministrazione Delle Finanze Dello Stato v Ariete Spa: ECJ 10 Jul 1980
ECJ 1. The prohibition on the levying of charges having an effect equivalent to customs duties, whether it has its origin in the general rule contained in article 13 of the treaty with effect from 1 january 1970, at the end of the transitional period, or in the special provision of article 12 of regulation … Continue reading Amministrazione Delle Finanze Dello Stato v Sas Mediterranea Importazione, Rappresentanze, Esportazione, Commercio (Mireco).: ECJ 10 Jul 1980
The claimant challenged the scheme set out for procurement when making arrangements with a sponsor for establishing a school as an Academy school. . The main ground of challenge was that the procurement did not comply with the Public Contracts Regulations 2006. Held: Arden LJ dismissed that ground substantively. She went on, however, to consider … Continue reading Chandler, Regina (On the Application of) v Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families: CA 9 Oct 2009
ECJ The concept of pay as defined in article 119 of the EEC Treaty does not include social security schemes or benefits directly governed by legislation without any element of agreement within the undertaking or the occupational branch concerned, which are obligatorily applicable to general categories of workers or which, within the framework of such … Continue reading Gabrielle Defrenne v Belgian State: ECJ 25 May 1971
External relations – Europe Agreement between the Communities and Poland – Interpretation of the first indent of Article 37(1) – Prohibition of discrimination based on nationality as regards conditions of employment or dismissal for Polish workers legally employed in a Member State – Fixed-term contract of employment of a foreign-language assistant – Effect on such … Continue reading Land Nordrhein-Westfalen v Pokrzeptowicz-Meyer: ECJ 29 Jan 2002
Europa The benefits paid by an employer to a worker on the latter’s redundancy constitute a form of pay to which the worker is entitled in respect of his employment, which is paid to him upon termination of the employment relationship, which facilitates his adjustment to the new circumstances resulting from the loss of his … Continue reading Barber v Guardian Royal Exchange Assurance Group: ECJ 17 May 1990
This is an appeal on preliminary points of European Union and domestic law regarding the circumstances in which damages may be recoverable for failure to comply with the requirements of the Public Procurement Directive (Parliament and Council Directive 2004/18/EC on the coordination of procedures for the award of public works contracts, public supply contracts and … Continue reading Nuclear Decommissioning Authority v Energysolutions EU Ltd (Now Called ATK Energy EU Ltd): SC 11 Apr 2017
ECJ It would be incompatible with the binding effect which article 189 of the EEC treaty ascribes to directives to exclude in principle the possibility of the obligation imposed by it being relied upon by persons concerned. Particularly in cases in which the community authorities have, by means of a directive, placed member states under … Continue reading Becker v Finanzamt Muenster-Innenstadt: ECJ 19 Jan 1982
The Home Secretary had issued directives to the BBC and IBA prohibiting the broadcasting of speech by representatives of proscribed terrorist organisations. The applicant journalists challenged the legality of the directives on the ground that they were incompatible with the ECHR, and also on the ground that they were disproportionate in going beyond the established … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for the Home Department ex parte Brind: HL 7 Feb 1991
The parties were involved in an international investment dispute arbitration. An injunction had been sought to prevent repatriation of assets to Bolivia. Held: The international system of arbitration was not subject to any national law and did not therefore amount to legal proceedings which would be capable of supporting the sort of relief claimed. The … Continue reading ETI Euro Telecom International Nv v Republic of Bolivia and Another: CA 28 Jul 2008
Europa Agreements, decisions and concerted practices Producers of reinforcing bars Decision establishing an infringement of Article 65 CS Decision based on the ECSC Treaty after expiry of that treaty Lack of competence of the Commission Citations: T-98/03, [2007] EUECJ T-98/03 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: European European Updated: 12 July 2022; Ref: scu.261349
ECJ (Freedom Of Establishment) Failure of a Member State to fulfil obligations Freedom of movement for persons Freedom of movement for workers Freedom to provide services Freedom of establishment Free movement of capital Articles 28, 31, 36 and 40 of the Agreement on the European Economic Area Directive 2002/83/EC Tax legislation providing for less favourable … Continue reading Commission v Belgium C-522/04: ECJ 5 Jul 2007
The claimant sought damages for an alleged abuse of dominant market position by the defendants in its patent licensing. The defendant denied that the court had jurisdiction. Held: An English court would have jurisdiction in such a case ony if the originating acts occurred here, of the damages substantially happened here. Judges: Pumfrey J Citations: … Continue reading Sandisk Corporation v Koninklijke Philips Electronics Nv and others: ChD 27 Feb 2007
Euratom Treaty – Action for annulment and action for damages – Conclusion of a contract for the supply of uranium – Simplified procedure – Powers of the Agency – Tine-limit for conclusion of the contract – Legal obstacle to conclusion – Diversification policy – Origin of the uranium – Market-related prices. Joined cases T-149/94 and … Continue reading Kernkraftwerke Lippe-Ems v Commission: ECFI 25 Feb 1997
The claimant had dual Irish and US nationality. He therefore also was a citizen of the EU. He complained that the British rules against payment of job seekers’ allowance were discriminatory. The matter had already been to the ECJ. Held: The residence test as applied was not in contravention of EU law. ‘[T]he proper interpretation … Continue reading Collins v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: CA 4 Apr 2006
Judgment – Article 95 of the Treaty – Differential tax on motor vehicles Citations: C-284/96, [1997] EUECJ C-284/96 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: European Taxes – Other Updated: 05 July 2022; Ref: scu.161934
ECJ Directive 69/335 – Indirect taxes on the raising of capital – National rules taxing a (subsidiary) company by way of capital duty in respect of a contribution made by its parent company (the grandparent company) in favour of its subsidiary (a sub-subsidiary company) – Capital duty – Increase of capital – Payment ‘to the … Continue reading Senior Engineering Investments BV v Staatssecretaris van Financien: ECJ 12 Jan 2006
ECJ Article 59 of the EC Treaty (now, after amendment, Article 49 EC) – Telecommunications services – Directive 90/388/EEC – Article 3c – Lifting of all restrictions – Communal taxes on pylons, masts and transmission antennae for GSM. Citations: C-544/03, [2005] EUECJ C-544/03 Links: Bailii Statutes: EC Treaty 59 European, Media Updated: 03 July 2022; … Continue reading Mobistar v Commune De Fleron (Freedom To Provide Services): ECJ 8 Sep 2005
ECJ Article 59 of the EC Treaty (now, after amendment, Article 49 EC) – Telecommunications services – Directive 90/388/EEC – Article 3c – Lifting of all restrictions – Communal taxes on pylons, masts and transmission antennae for GSM. Citations: C-545/03, [2005] EUECJ C-545/03 Links: Bailii Statutes: Directive 90/388/EEC European, Media Updated: 03 July 2022; Ref: … Continue reading Belgacom Mobile Sa v Commune De Schaerbeek (Freedom To Provide Services): ECJ 8 Sep 2005
The claimant shared child care with his former partner, but claimed that the system which gave the job-seeker’s child care supplement to one party only was discriminatory. Held: In such cases the supplement usually went to the mother, and this had a diverse impact on men. It was for the Secretary of State to justify … Continue reading Hockenjos v Secretary of State for Social Security (No 2): CA 21 Dec 2004
The complainant company manufactured lawful TV decoders. It complained that Spain applied a requirement for prior approval before they could be used in Spain. They complained that the system operated to restrict the free movement of goods within the Community. Held: The scheme did infringe the right of free movement of goods, but the court … Continue reading Canal Satelite Digital SL v Adminstracion General del Estado, and Distribuidora de Television Digital SA (DTS): ECJ 22 Jan 2002
ECJ Competition – Abuse of a dominant position – Practices preventing the publishing and sale of comprehensive weekly television guides.Joined cases 76, 77 and 91/89 R.Application for interim measures – Suspension of operation – Conditions for grant – Serious and irreparable damage(EEC Treaty, Art. 185; Rules of Procedure, Art . 83(2)) Judges: T Koopmans, P … Continue reading Radio Telefis Eireann And Others v Commission Of The European Communities. (Application For Interim Measures): ECJ 11 May 1989
ECJ 1. Freedom of movement for persons, freedom of establishment and freedom to provide services, which are fundamental in the community system, would not be fully realized if a member state were entitled to refuse to grant the benefit of the provisions of community law to those of its nationals who are established in another … Continue reading Gullung v Conseil De L’Ordre Des Avocats Du Barreau De Colmar Et De Saverne: ECJ 19 Jan 1988
ECJ 1. In its present stage of development community law does not restrict the freedom of each member state to lay down tax arrangements which differentiate between certain products on the basis of objective criteria, such as the nature of the raw materials used or the production processes employed. Such differentiation is compatible with community … Continue reading Spa Vinal v Spa Orbat: ECJ 14 Jan 1981
ECJ 1. The regulations on social security for migrant workers did not set up a common scheme of social security, but allowed different schemes to exist, creating different claims on different institutions against which the claimant possesses direct rights by virtue either of national law alone or of national law supplemented, where necessary, by community … Continue reading Caisse De Compensation Des Allocations Familiales Des Regions De Charleroi Et De Namur v Cosimo Laterza: ECJ 12 Jun 1980
ECJ 1. Within the framework of the task given it by article 177 of the EEC Treaty, the court of justice has no jurisdiction to decide the application of the treaty to a given case but the need to reach a useful interpretation of community law enables it to extract from the facts of the … Continue reading Procureur De La Republique And Others v Bruno Giry And Guerlain Sa And Others: ECJ 10 Jul 1980
ECJ 1. An administrative letter despatched without publication as laid down in regulation no 17 informing the undertaking concerned of the commission’s opinion that there is no need for it to take action in respect of the agreements in question and that the file on the case may therefore be closed constitutes neither a decision … Continue reading Sa Lancome And Cosparfrance Nederland Bv v Etos Bv And Albert Heyn Supermart Bv.: ECJ 10 Jul 1980
ECJ 1. The Convention of 27 September 1968 must be interpreted having regard both to its principles and objectives and to its relationship with the treaty. The question whether the words and concepts used in the convention must be regarded as having their own independent meaning and as being thus common to all the contracting … Continue reading Somafer Sa v Saar-Ferngas Ag: ECJ 22 Nov 1978
ECJ 1. Articles 48 to 66 of the treaty and the measures adopted by the community in application thereof implement a fundamental principle of the treaty, confer on persons whom they concern individual rights which the national courts must protect and take precedence over any national rule which might conflict with them. 2. National regulations … Continue reading Watson v Belmann: ECJ 7 Jul 1976
ECJ The right of nationals of a member state to enter the territory of another member state and reside there is a right conferred directly, on any person falling within the scope of community law, by the Treaty, especially articles 48, 52 and 59 or where appropriate, by the provisions adopted.For its implementation, independently of … Continue reading Royer v Belgium: ECJ 8 Apr 1976
ECJ 1. Article 30 of the Treaty applies to a national practice prohibiting importation of narcotic drugs covered by the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs and marketable under that convention. In so far as they are goods taken across a frontier for the purposes of commercial transactions, such drugs are subject to Article 30, … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for the Home Department, ex parte Evans Medical and Macfarlan Smith: ECJ 28 Mar 1995
Parliament’s Approval if statute rights affected In a referendum, the people had voted to leave the European Union. That would require a notice to the Union under Article 50 TEU. The Secretary of State appealed against an order requiring Parliamentary approval before issuing the notice, he saying that the notice could be given under the … Continue reading Miller and Another, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Exiting The European Union: SC 24 Jan 2017
Grand Chamber – The applicant alleged that there had been a violation of her right of access to a court, as guaranteed by Article 6-1 of the Convention.The applicant was a secretary and switchboard operator employed in the Polish embassy in Vilnius, Lithuania. The Supreme Court of Lithuania’s decision was based on the Strasbourg court’s … Continue reading Cudak v Lithuania: ECHR 23 Mar 2010
Masterfoods Ltd, a subsidiary of Mars Inc, brought proceedings in Ireland against HB Ice Cream Ltd, a subsidiary of Unilever, for a declaration that its agreements to provide retailers with freezer cabinets on terms that they stocked only HB ice cream contravened articles 81 and 82. On 28 May 1992 the High Court dismissed the … Continue reading Masterfoods Ltd v HB Ice Cream Ltd: ECJ 14 Dec 2000
ECJ 1. Community law – Principles – Legal certainty – Protection of legitimate expectations – Prohibition of the use in livestock farming of certain substances having a hormonal action in the absence of unanimity as to their harmlessness – Infringement – None (Council Directive 88/146) 2. Community law – Principles – Proportionality – Prohibition of … Continue reading Regina v Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Secretary of State For Health, ex Parte Fedesa and Others: ECJ 13 Nov 1990
The court was concerned with a national measure prohibiting television advertising for alcoholic drinks, in the case of indirect television advertising resulting from the appearance on screen of advertisements visible during the re-transmission of certain sporting events. This was said to infringe the freedom to provide services contrary to Article 59 (now 49) of the … Continue reading Commission v France C-262/02: ECJ 13 Jul 2004
ECJ Grand Chamber – Article 59 of the EC Treaty (now, after amendment, Article 49 EC) – Directive 89/552/CEE – Television without frontiers – Television broadcasting – Advertising – National measure prohibiting television advertising for alcoholic drinks marketed in that Member State, in the case of indirect television advertising arising from the appearance on screen … Continue reading Bacardi-Martini SAS v Television Francaise 1 SA (TF1) and others: ECJ 13 Jul 2004
ECJ State aid – System of financing a public carcass disposal service by a meat purchase tax – Interpretation of Article 92 of the EC Treaty (now, after amendment, Article 87 EC). Citations: C-126/01, [2003] EUECJ C-126/01 Links: Bailii European, Commercial Updated: 08 June 2022; Ref: scu.188349
The appeal concerned the environmental effect of the erection of a bridge being part of a bypass. It was claimed that the area should have been designated as a Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA), and that if so it should be treated as such for planning purposes whether or not actually designated. There was … Continue reading Bown v Secretary of State for Transport: CA 31 Jul 2003
An environmental group organised a demonstration which blocked a motorway affecting the free movement of goods. The claimant haulage company complained that the respondent government had failed to prevent the blockage for many hours causing it losses. Held: The court did not hold that since the fundamental right of assembly was in issue it followed … Continue reading Eugen Schmidberger, Internationale Transporte und Planzuge v Republic of Austria: ECJ 12 Jun 2003
ECJ Income tax – Nonresidents – Article 59 of the EC Treaty (now, after amendment, Article 49 EC) and Article 60 of the EC Treaty (now Article 50 EC) – Nontaxable threshold amount – Deduction of business expenses. Citations: C-234/01, [2003] EUECJ C-234/01 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: European European, Income Tax Updated: 07 June 2022; Ref: … Continue reading Arnoud Gerritse v Finanzamt Neukolln-Nord: ECJ 12 Jun 2003
ECJ EC and ECSC Treaties – State aid – Composition of the Commission – Notification to the Commission of aid and planned aid – Concept and substance of notification – Scope of the ECSC Treaty – Fifth Steel Aid Code – Powers of the Commission ratione temporis – Article 87(2)(c) EC – Privatisation procedure – … Continue reading Germany v Commission (Judgment): ECJ 28 Jan 2003
Europe Failure to fulfil obligations – Free movement of services – Non-discrimination – Articles 12 EC and 49 EC – Admission to museums, monuments, galleries, archaeological digs, parks and gardens classified as public monuments – Preferential rates granted by local or decentralized State authorities.Complaint was made that the Italian Republic discriminated against nationals of other … Continue reading Commission v Italy C-388/01: ECJ 16 Jan 2003
The applicant had come to England on a six month visitor’s visa. She then married an English national, but her visa was not extended. Held: The husband had business interests and activities throughout the community. The deportation of the applicant would have the effect of removing her support for him and restrict his ability to … Continue reading Carpenter v Secretary of State for the Home Department: ECJ 11 Jul 2002
ECJ Actions for annulment – Actionable measures – Definition – Measures producing binding legal effects – Letter from the Commission informing the applicant of the continuation of a procedure for cancelling a contribution and recovering the amount already paid (EC Treaty, Art. 173; Council Regulation No 4028/86) Any measure which produces binding legal effects such … Continue reading Ca’Pasta v Commission: ECFI 16 Jul 1998
1. A declaration of annulment limited solely to the provision of a regulation concerning the extension of an anti-dumping duty would make the regulation extending the definitive anti-dumping duty to importers of similar products or parts of those products a dead letter. The remainder of the operative part of that regulation concerns only the implementation … Continue reading Buchel v Council and Commission: ECFI 26 Sep 2000
ECJ Actions for annulment – Natural or legal persons – Measures of direct and individual concern to them – Regulation concerning the registration of geographical indications and designations of origin under the procedure provided for in Article 17 of Regulation No 2081/92 – Action brought by producers of `tourons’ – Inadmissible (EC Treaty, Arts 173, … Continue reading Biscuiterie confiserie LOR and Confiserie du Tech v Commission: ECFI 26 Mar 1999
1 Procedure – Originating application – Procedural requirements – Summary of the pleas in law relied on – Pleas in law not set out in the application – Catch-all reference to the annexes – Inadmissible (Rules of Procedure of the Court of First Instance, Art. 44(1)(c)) 2 Acts of the institutions – Statement of reasons … Continue reading Cipeke v Commission: ECFI 7 Nov 1997
ECJ 1 Non-contractual liability – Conditions – Lawful or unlawful act – Damage – Causal link – Burden of proof (EC Treaty, Art. 215) 2 Non-contractual liability – Conditions – Regulation imposing a trade embargo against a non-member country – Damage resulting from retaliatory measures taken by the government of that country – Causal link … Continue reading Dorsch Consult Ingenieurgesellschaft v Council and Commission: ECFI 28 Apr 1998
Competition – Payment of a fine – Bank guarantee – Procedure for interim relief – Suspension of operation.It is only in exceptional circumstances that the judge hearing an application for interim measures should order the suspension of the applicant undertaking’ s obligation to provide a bank guarantee securing payment of a fine imposed on it.The … Continue reading Tsimenta Chalkidos v Commission: ECFI 11 Aug 1995
Competition – Article 85(1) of the EC-Treaty – Concept of single infringement – Information exchange – Order to desist – Fine – Determination of the amount – Method of calculation – Statement of reasons – Mitigating circumstances. Citations: T-334/94, [1998] EUECJ T-334/94 Links: Bailii European, Commercial Updated: 06 June 2022; Ref: scu.172938
ECJ Competition – Article 85(1) of the EC Treaty – Proof of participation in collusion – Fine – Turnover – Determination of the amount – Mitigating circumstances. Citations: T-304/94, [1998] EUECJ T-304/94 Links: Bailii Statutes: EC Treaty 85(1) European, Commercial Updated: 06 June 2022; Ref: scu.172921
1. The appointing authority acts in the name of the institution which designated it, so that acts which concern the legal position of officials and may adversely affect them must be attributed to the institution to which they are attached, and any appeal must be brought against the institution from which the act having an … Continue reading Hogan v Court of Justice: ECFI 29 Mar 1995
ECJ ECSC Treaty – Competition – Agreements between undertakings – System for the exchange of information – Fine – Responsibility for the infringement. Citations: T-134/94, [1999] EUECJ T-134/94 Links: Bailii European Updated: 06 June 2022; Ref: scu.172825
1. An action under Article 175 of the Treaty for failure to act may lie only where the institution has an obligation to act, so that the alleged failure to act is contrary to the Treaty.Where a complaint is made to the Commission under Article 3 of Regulation No 17 alleging breach of Article 85 … Continue reading Ladbroke Racing v Commission: ECFI 24 Jan 1995
ECJ Where both granting a suspension of operation of a Commission decision prescribing interim measures relating to competition and refusing to grant such suspension would in practice have the effect of depriving the final decision of the Court of First Instance of any effects in so far as such a decision could not in all … Continue reading Langnese-Iglo and Scholler Lebensmittel v Commission: ECFI 8 May 1992
Failure by a Member State to fulfil its obligations – Articles 52 and 59 of the EC Treaty (now, after amendment, Articles 43 EC and 49 EC) – Directive 89/48/EEC – Access to and practice of the profession of lawyer Citations: [2002] EUECJ C-145/99 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: European Legal Professions Updated: 05 June 2022; Ref: … Continue reading Commission v Italy C-145/99: ECJ 7 Mar 2002
ECJ Failure by a Member State to fulfil its obligations – Directive 85/384/EEC – Mutual recognition of formal qualifications in architecture – Access to the profession of architect – Article 59 of the EC Treaty (now, after amendment, Article 49 EC) Citations: C-298/99, [2002] EUECJ C-298/99 Links: Bailii Statutes: Directive 85/384/EEC Jurisdiction: England and Wales … Continue reading Commission v Italy – C-298/99: ECJ 21 Mar 2002
ECJ Professional body – National Bar – Regulation by the Bar of the exercise of the profession – Prohibition of multi-disciplinary partnerships between members of the Bar and accountants – Article 85 of the EC Treaty (now Article 81 EC) – Association of undertakings – Restriction of competition – Justification – Article 86 of the … Continue reading J C J Wouters, J W Savelbergh and Price Waterhouse Belastingadviseurs BV v Algemene Raad van de Nederlandse Orde van Advocaten, intervener: Raad van de Balies van de Europese Gemeenschap: ECJ 19 Feb 2002
The Appellant had introduced a system of fining lorry drivers returning to the UK with illegal immigrants hiding away in their trucks. The rules had been found to be in breach of European law and an interference with their human rights. The penalties were substantial, though there existed a system of appeals. Held: The principle … Continue reading Secretary of State for the Home Department v International Transport Roth Gmbh and others: CA 22 Feb 2002
ECJ Failure to fulfil obligations – Infringement of Articles 52 and 59 of the EC Treaty (now, after amendment, Articles 43 EC and 49 EC) – Retention of certain national and regional rules regarding trade fairs, markets and exhibitions Citations: C-439/99, [2002] EUECJ C-439/99 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: European European Updated: 05 June 2022; Ref: scu.167454
ECJ Article 59 of the Treaty (now, after amendment, Article 49 EC) and Article 60 of the Treaty (now Article 50 EC) do not preclude a Member State from imposing national rules guaranteeing entitlement to paid leave for posted workers on a business in the construction industry established in another Member State which provides services … Continue reading Finalarte Sociedade de Construcao Civil Ld, Portugaia Construcoes and Engil Sociedade de Construcao Civil SA v Urlaubs-und Lohnausgleichskasse der Bauwirtschaft etc: ECJ 25 Oct 2001
The court considered a petrol station agreement under which the operator of the station agreed to take fuel from a single supplier. The agreement was for 10 years and thereafter the operator could terminate the agreement by giving a year’s notice. Neste acquired the supplier and after the 10-year period had expired the operator stopped … Continue reading Neste Markkinointi Oy v Yotuuli Ky and Others: ECJ 7 Dec 2000
A member state was not allowed to impose a tax regime which discriminated against the subsidiaries of a company based in that state where they were based in other member states, but discrimination was allowed where the subsidiaries were based outside EU. United Kingdom legislation restricting fiscal reliefs or advantages to cases where the relevant … Continue reading Imperial Chemical Industries v Colmer: ECJ 16 Jul 1998
ECJ Judgment – 1 Freedom to provide services – Television broadcasting – Directive 89/552 – Television broadcaster coming under the jurisdiction of a Member State – Determining criterion – Establishment – Effects of the origin of broadcast programmes on a Member State’s jurisdiction – None (Council Directive 89/552, Art. 2(1)) 2 Freedom to provide services … Continue reading Criminal proceedings against Denuit: ECJ 29 May 1997
ECJ Preliminary rulings – Reference to the Court – National court or tribunal within the meaning of Article 177 of the Treaty – Definition – Body competent to hear appeals concerning the award of public contracts. Approximation of laws – Procedures for the award of public service contracts – Directive 92/50 – Provision requiring Member … Continue reading Dorsch Consult Ingenieursgesellschaft v Bundesbaugesellschaft Berlin mbH: ECJ 17 Sep 1997
ECJ Article 36 of the EC Treaty – Trade mark rights – Relabelling of whisky bottles. Judges: Rodriguez Iglesias, P Citations: C-349/95, [1997] EUECJ C-349/95, [1997] ECR I-6227 Links: Bailii Cited by: Cited – L’Oreal Sa and Others v Ebay International Ag and Others ChD 22-May-2009 The court was asked as to whether the on-line … Continue reading Loendersloot v Ballantine and Son and others: ECJ 11 Nov 1997
ECJ (Judgment) 1 Freedom to provide services – Restrictions – Whether permissible – Conditions (EC Treaty, Art. 59) 2 Freedom to provide services – Judicial recovery of debts – Restrictions – Obligation to use the services of a lawyer – Justification on grounds of the general interest – Protection of recipients of services and proper … Continue reading Reiseburo Broede v Sandker: ECJ 12 Dec 1996
ECJ Article 85 and seq. of EC Treaty – Concept of an ‘undertaking’ – Organization managing an optional supplementary social security scheme. Citations: C-244/94, [1995] EUECJ C-244/94 Links: Bailii European Updated: 03 June 2022; Ref: scu.161424
ECJ (Judgment) In order to coordinate the content of annual accounts, the Fourth Directive 78/660 based on Article 54(3)(g) of the Treaty on the annual accounts of certain types of companies, as amended by the Seventh Directive 83/349 on consolidated accounts, lays down the principle of the ‘true and fair view’, compliance with which is … Continue reading Tomberger v Gebruder von der Wettern: ECJ 27 Jun 1996
ECJ The prohibition of discrimination based on nationality, laid down in Article 48(2) of the Treaty and Article 7(1) and (4) of Regulation No 1612/68 on freedom of movement for workers within the Community, applies to a national of a Member State who is permanently resident in a non-member country, who is employed by another … Continue reading Boukhalfa v Bundesrepublik Deutschland: ECJ 30 Apr 1996
1. Under the procedure provided for by Article 177 of the Treaty, it is for the national court to assess the scope of national provisions and the manner in which they are to be applied. Since the national court is best placed to assess, in view of the particularities of the case, the need for … Continue reading CIA Security International v Signalson and Securitel: ECJ 30 Apr 1996
Europa In the preliminary-ruling procedure under Article 177 of the Treaty, it is for the national courts alone, before which the proceedings are pending and which must assume responsibility for the judgment to be given, to determine, having regard to the particular features of each case, both the need for a preliminary ruling to enable … Continue reading Criminal proceedings against Ruiz Bernaldez: ECJ 28 Mar 1996
A directive limiting the maximum work hours for all employees was validly made under art 118a as a Health and Safety measure. LMA Measures appear initially to have derived from policies of job creation and increased employment. John Major’s government saw the initiatives (together with other provisions as part of Social Chapter) as measures which … Continue reading United Kingdom v Council of the European Union: ECJ 12 Nov 1996
Practice by lawyers in other European jurisdictions were governed by the general principles of freedom of establishment under the Treaty: ‘National measures liable to hinder or make less attractive the exercise of fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the Treaty must fulfil four conditions: they must be applied in a non discriminatory manner; they must be justified … Continue reading Gebhard v Consiglio dell’Ordine degli Avvocati e Procuratori di Milano: ECJ 30 Nov 1995
The mere fact that the legislative provision affects far more women than men at work cannot be regarded as a breach of Article 119 of the Treaty. Citations: C-444/93, [1995] EUECJ C-444/93 Links: Bailii Cited by: Cited – Hockenjos v Secretary of State for Social Security (No 2) CA 21-Dec-2004 The claimant shared child care … Continue reading Megner and Scheffel v Innungskrankenkasse Vorderpfalz: ECJ 14 Dec 1995
Europa Bananas – Common organization of the markets – Import regime. In the procedure for the adoption of a regulation by the Council, the fact that the proposal from the Commission, amended in accordance with a political agreement accepted by the competent member on behalf of the Commission at a Council session and approved by … Continue reading Federal Republic of Germany v Council of the European Union: ECJ 5 Oct 1994
ECJ An action brought by a natural or legal person pursuant to the third paragraph of Article 175 of the EEC Treaty and concerning the implementation of Article 90 of the Treaty falls, pursuant to Article 3(1)(c) of Council Decision 88/591 establishing the Court of First Instance, within the jurisdiction of the Court of First … Continue reading Ladbroke Racing v Commission: ECJ 3 May 1993
Europa Failure to fulfil obligations – Directives concerning breeding animals of the porcine species, sheep and goats – Failure to transpose. Mere administrative practices, which by their nature are alterable at will by the authorities and are not given the appropriate publicity, cannot be regarded as constituting proper fulfilment of the obligations incumbent on the … Continue reading Commission of the European Communities v Ireland (Rec 1993,p I-7055) (Judgment): ECJ 22 Dec 1993
ECJ 1. It follows from Article 112(1)(c) of the Rules of Procedure of the Court that an appeal which merely reiterates the pleas in law and arguments put forward at first instance in fact constitutes a request for re-examination of the application bought before the Court of First Instance, a matter which falls outside the … Continue reading Franz Eppe v Commission of the European Communities: ECJ 22 Dec 1993
ECJ The suspension of customs duties pursuant to Regulation No 3563/84 applying generalized tariff preferences for 1985 to textile products originating in developing countries is dependent upon the Nimexe code corresponding to the imported product being referred to in one of the two annexes to the regulation. Men’ s linen windcheaters imported from China and … Continue reading Lloyd-Textil v Hauptzollamt Bremen-Freihafen: ECJ 22 Dec 1993
(Judgment) 1. Under the system of judicial cooperation established by Article 177 of the Treaty, the interpretation of national rules is a matter for the national courts and not for the Court of Justice, even though it has been consistently held that where national rules have been adopted in order to implement a Community directive, … Continue reading Criminal proceedings against Vanacker and Lesage: ECJ 12 Oct 1993
ECJ Article 76 of the Treaty, which is intended by means of a standstill clause to prevent the introduction by the Council of a common transport policy from being rendered more difficult, or from being obstructed, by the adoption, without the Council’ s agreement, of national measures the direct or indirect effect of which is … Continue reading Oorburg and van Messem v Wasser- und Schiffahrtsdirektion: ECJ 31 Mar 1993
Europa Articles 52 and 57 of the Treaty must be interpreted as meaning that: – in the absence of a directive on the mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates or other evidence of formal qualifications relating to the profession of estate agent, the authorities of a Member State, in response to a request for permission to … Continue reading Criminal proceedings against Aguirre Borrell and others (Rec 1992,p I-3003) (Judgment): ECJ 7 May 1992
ECJ (Judgment) 1. A compulsory contribution constituting a parafiscal charge, applied under the same conditions as regards its collection to both domestic and imported products, the revenue from which is used for the benefit of domestic products only, so that the advantages accruing from it wholly offset the burden borne by those products, constitutes a … Continue reading Criminal proceedings against Claeys: ECJ 16 Dec 1992
(Judgment) 1. Although the Commission, in carrying out its task of supervising State aid, may not in principle be barred from relying on a set of circumstances which taken as a whole indicate the de facto existence of an aid programme, the mere fact that a set of aids may be part of a policy … Continue reading Germany and Pleuger Worthington v Commission: ECJ 13 Apr 1994
ECJ Article 30 of the Treaty is to be interpreted as meaning that the prohibition which it lays down does not apply to national legislation prohibiting retailers from opening their premises on Sundays. Any measure which is capable of directly or indirectly, actually or potentially, hindering intra-Community trade constitutes a measure having equivalent effect to … Continue reading Reading Borough Council v Payless DIY Ltd, Wickes Building Supplies Ltd, Great Mills (South) Ltd, Homebase Ltd, B and Q plc: ECJ 16 Dec 1992
Europa Legislation of a Member State which makes the deductibility of sickness and invalidity insurance contributions or pension and life assurance contributions conditional on those contributions being paid in that State is contrary to Articles 48 and 59 of the Treaty. However, that condition may be justified by the need to safeguard the cohesion of … Continue reading Bachmann v Belgian State: ECJ 28 Jan 1992
Europa A national court or tribunal is not empowered to bring a matter before the Court by way of a reference for a preliminary ruling under Article 177 of the Treaty unless a dispute is pending before it in the context of which it is called upon to give a decision which could take into … Continue reading The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children Ireland Ltd v Stephen Grogan and others: ECJ 4 Oct 1991
ECJ 1. The concept of worker within the meaning of Article 48 of the Treaty pre-supposes that for a certain period of time a person performs services for and under the direction of another person in return for which he receives remuneration. That description is not affected by the fact that the worker, whilst being … Continue reading Merci Convenzionali Porto di Genova v Siderurgica Gabrielli (Judgment): ECJ 10 Dec 1991
ECJ 1. A Member State which is bound to implement a directive is not entitled to draw the inference from the Commission’ s initial failure to react to a communication addressed to it regarding the manner in which the Member State intended to implement the directive that the Commission, which was obliged by neither Article … Continue reading Commission v United Kingdom (Judgment): ECJ 14 Jul 1993