Test

27 March 2013

 

European Private Law Monitoring Report n° 1

Keywords: Unfair Commercial Practices (UCP), Common European Sales Law (CESL), Online Dispute Resolution (ODR), Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), Investor Protection, Collective Redress, Standardisation of Services, Commitment Decisions, Settlements, Private Rights of Action, Telecommunication, Energy.

Table of Content

 

EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE……………………………………………………………………. 3

Case-law in private law matters from January – March 2013…………………………. 3

EUROPEAN RESEARCH AGENCY…………………………………………………………………… 8

60 ERC projects funded to bring  ‘blue sky’ research towards market (Proof of Concept)   8

Great Interest from ERC grantees in hosting early-career top US talent………………………… 8

EUROPEAN COMMISSION……………………………………………………………………………… 8

New proposals on Alternative and Online Dispute Resolution…………………………………………… 8

Stimulating European Judicial Training…………………………………………………………………………………………. 8

Commission aims to improve redress for consumers in cross-border claims……………. 8

Commission seeks input on improving redress for consumers in cross-border claims       8

Towards a more coherent enforcement of EU consumer rules………………………………………….. 8

Public Consultation on the European Small Claims Procedure……………………………………………. 8

Digital Agenda: Commission calls on Polish telecom regulator to base…………………………… 8

deregulation proposal on an up-to-date market assessment………………………………………………. 9

European Commission takes action to protect businesses against marketing scams. 9

EC Consumer Law Compendium………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 9

Call for applications regarding the setting up of the Commission expert group on a European insurance contract law           9

New proposals on Alternative and Online Dispute Resolution (ADR) and (ODR)……….. 9

Internal energy market: Lithuania called upon to comply with EU internal market rules    9

Speech: Dialogue structure à la Commission Marché intérieur et protection des consommateurs  9

February 2013: Flash Consumer Confidence Indicator…………………………………………………………. 9

Commission welcomes European Parliament Committee support for an optional Common European Sales Law    9

Preparation of the Energy Council, 22 February 2013…………………………………………………………. 10

72,000 EU consumers helped by European Consumer Centres in 2012 – Annual Report      10

Air passengers in Europe: equal rights, unequal access to dispute resolution………….. 10

Report: The European Online Marketplace………………………………………………………………………………. 10

European Small Claims Procedure Report………………………………………………………………………………… 10

Public Consultation on the implementation of European Reference Networks (ERN) 10

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT………………………………………………………………………….. 10

IMCO Draft Opinion on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on a Common European Sales Law       10

JURI Draft Report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on a Common European Sales Law            10

JURI Amendments on improving access to justice: legal aid in cross-border civil and commercial disputes                11

Study: Common European Sales Law (February 2013)……………………………………………………….. 11

JURI: The proposal for a Common European Sales Law: work in progress………………… 11

Workshop on the Plurilateral Agreement on Services…………………………………………………………. 11

Study: The Plurilateral Agreement on Services: At the Staring Gate………………………………. 11

Services Directive: Still plenty of room for improvement………………………………………………….. 11

Faster and more efficient help for disappointed shoppers…………………………………………………. 11

National parliaments able to save time thanks to free EP tool for managing amendments    11

We cannot afford the luxury of having a fragmented market…………………………………………….. 11

Making travellers’ lives easier………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 12

New EU Rules to ensure rapid redress for disappointed shoppers………………………………… 12

IMCO Committee: Draft Opinion on improving access to justice: legal aid in cross-border civil and commercial disputes
2012/2101(IIINI)              12

REGI Committee: Motion for a Resolution on the Role of EU Cohesion Policy and its actors in implementing the new European Energy Policy         12

EP Resolution: Jurisdiction and the Recognition and Enforcement of Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters  12

EP Resolution:  Implementation of the Consumer Credit Directive……………………………….. 12

ALDE: EU Investment Protection Policy – Seminar………………………………………………………………. 12

Study: Common European Sales Law (January 2013)…………………………………………………………… 12

Study: Why is mediation not used more often as a means of Alternative Dispute Resolution?            13

Study: Current gaps and future perspectives in European Private International Law: Towards a Code on Private International law?           13

IMCO: Hearing on Services Directive…………………………………………………………………………………………… 13

NEWSWIRES………………………………………………………………………………………………. 13

EuroNews: EU to simply cross-border trade rules………………………………………………………………. 13

Financial Times: Competition lawsuits plan worries CBI………………………………………………….. 13

OTHERS……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 13

BEUC………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 13

EU updates law on air passengers’ rights…………………………………………………………………………………… 13

Doctors at a distance: EU healthcare gets technology prescription……………………………….. 14

EU Consumer Redress – Old myths and recent realities……………………………………………………… 14

Unfair Contract Terms in Passenger Contracts – Open Letter to IATA………………………… 14

Future Smart Energy Markets: Protecting and Empowering Consumers – BEUC position paper     14

BEUC Departments and Teams – Update…………………………………………………………………………………….. 14

National Energy Retail Markets – BEUC presentation………………………………………………………….. 14

 

EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE

Case-law in private law matters from January – March 2013

Unfair terms in consumer contracts (Directive 93/13/EEC)

 

Case-number Parties Subject-matter
Judgment of the Court; 21.02.2013 C-472/11 Banif Plus Bank Zrt/Casaba Csipai, Viktória Csipai Obligation of the national court which has found of its own motion that a contractual term is unfair to inform the parties to the dispute of that fact and to invite each of them to set out its views on that matter.
Judgment of the Court; 14.03.2013 C‑415/11 Mohamed Aziz/Caixa d’Estalvis de Catalunya, Tarragona i Manresa (Catalunyacaixa) Compatibility of Spanish legislation, which does not allow for grounds of objection based on the unfairness of a clause in mortgage enforcement proceedings and also does not allow the court before which declaratory proceedings have been brought to grant interim relief, with Directive 93/13.
Judgment of the Court; 21.03.2013 C-92/11 RWE Vertrieb AG/Verbraucherzentrale Nordrhein-Westfalen e.V Criteria to determine the unfairness of a standard contractual term by which a supply undertaking reserves the right to vary the charge for the supply of gas, which reproduces a rule of national law applicable to another category of contracts and are not subject to the national legislation concerned.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unfair commercial practices (Directive 2005/29/EC)

  Case-number Parties Subject-matter
Judgment of the Court; 17. 01.2013 C‑206/11 Georg Köck/Schutzverband gegen unlauteren Wettbewerb

 Preclusion of a national court from ordering the cessation of a commercial practice not covered by Annex I of Directive 2005/29/EC on the sole ground that the practice has not been the subject of prior authorisation by the competent administrative authority, without itself carrying out an assessment of the unfairness of the practice in question against the criteria set out in Articles 5 to 9 of that directive.

 

Sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees (Directive 1999/44/EC)

Case-number Parties Subject-matter
Opinion of AG Kokott; 28.02.2013 C-32/12 Soledad Duarte Hueros/Autociba SA und Automóviles Citroën España SA Ex officio price reduction by the national court in case the consumer seeks only rescission of the contract, which is denied because the lack of conformity is only minor.

 

Anti-Discrimination Law

  Case-number Parties Subject-matter
Judgment of the Court; 31.01.2013 C-394/11 Valeri Hariev Belov/CHEZ Elektro Balgaria AD and Others. Inadmissibility of questions referred regarding Directive 2000/43/EC as the national equality body cannot be considered as a ‘court or tribunal’ within the meaning of Article 267 TFEU.
Opinion of AG Kokott; 07. 02.2013 C‑476/11 HK Danmark, handelnd für Glennie Kristensen/Experian A/S Compatibility of age-graded pension contributions with Article 6 (2) of Directive 2000/78.
Opinion of AG Kokott; 07.02.2013 C‑546/11 Dansk Jurist- og Økonomforbund, handelnd für Erik Toftgaard/Indenrigs- og Sundhedsministeriet Scope of application of the exception under Art. 6 (2) of Directive  2000/78
Judgment of the Court; 28. 02.2013 C‑427/11 Margaret Kenny et al/ Minister for Justice et al Conditions of the employer’s justification of the prima facie case of indirect gender discrimination in pay in the light of Article 141 EC and Directive 75/117

 

Air passenger rights (Regulation No 261/2004)

  Case-number Parties Subject-matter
Judgment of the Court; 31.01.2013 C-12/11 Denise McDonagh/Ryanair Ltd Circumstances such as the closure of part of European airspace as a result of the eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano constitute ‘extraordinary circumstances’ within the meaning of that regulation which do not release air carriers from their obligation laid down in Articles 5(1)(b) and 9 of the Regulation No 261/2004 to provide care.
Judgment of the Court; 26.02.2013 C-11/11 Air France SA/ Heinz-Gerke Folkerts, Luz-Tereza Folkerts Compensation is payable, on the basis of Art. 7 of the Regulation No 261/2004, to a passenger on directly connecting flights who has been delayed at departure for a period below the limits specified in Article 6, but has arrived at the final destination at least three hours later than the scheduled arrival time, given that the compensation in question is not conditional upon there having been a delay at departure.

 

Railway passenger rights (Regulation No 1371/2007)

  Case-number Parties Subject-matter
Opinion of AG Jääskinen; 14.03.2013 C‑509/11 ÖBB-Personenverkehr AG Power of a national body charged with enforcement of Regulation No 1371/2007 to order railway undertakings to alter compensation terms that do not comply with Regulation No 1371/2007; Obligation of the railway undertaking to pay compensation of the ticket price in cases of force majeure.

 

Insurance law and consumer protection

  Case-number Parties Subject-matter
Judgment of the Court of Justice; 7.03.2013 C‑577/11 DKV Belgium SA/Association belge des consommateurs Test-Achats ASBL Compatibility of a system of premium rate increases, under which undertakings are authorized to increase premiums only on the basis of the consumer price index and the medical index, with Articles 29 and 39(2) and (3) of Directive 92/49 and 8(3) of Directive 73/239 as well as Articles 49 TFEU and 56 TFEU.

 

Liability for breach of competition law provisions

  Case-number Parties Subject-matter
Opinion of AG Jääskinen; 7.02.2013 C‑536/11 Bundeswettbewerbsbehörde/Donau Chemie AG et al Access by an association representing third parties potentially affected by a cartel to completed public law competition proceedings to support civil action for damages.

 

Legal protection

  Case-number Parties Subject-matter
Opinion of AG Bot; 06.03.2013 C‑144/12 Goldbet Sportwetten GmbH/Massimo Sperindeo Relationship between the lodging of a statement of opposition to a European order for payment regarding Regulation 1896/2006 and Article 24 of Council Regulation No 44/2001 which confers jurisdiction on a court before which a defendant enters an appearance.

 

Services Directive 2006/123/EC

 

  Case-number Parties Subject-matter
AG opinion Cruz Villalón; 14.03.2013 C‑57/12 Fédération des maisons de repos privées de Belgique (Femarbel)/Commission communautaire commune Ratione materiae of healthcare services under Art. 2 Abs. 2 lit. f Directive 2006/123/EC.

 

EUROPEAN RESEARCH AGENCY

 

60 ERC projects funded to bring  ‘blue sky’ research towards market (Proof of Concept)

 

http://erc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/press_release/files/erc_pr_poc_2012_second_results.pdf

 

Great Interest from ERC grantees in hosting early-career top US talent

 

http://erc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/press_release/files/highlight_NSF-ERC_initiative_2013.pdf

 

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

New proposals on Alternative and Online Dispute Resolution

 

http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/redress_cons/adr_policy_work_en.htm

 

Stimulating European Judicial Training

 

http://ec.europa.eu/justice/events/judicial-training-2013/index_en.htm

 

Commission aims to improve redress for consumers in cross-border claims

 

http://ec.europa.eu/justice/newsroom/civil/news/130319_en.htm

 

Commission seeks input on improving redress for consumers in cross-border claims

http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13-240_en.htm

 

Towards a more coherent enforcement of EU consumer rules

http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-13-237_en.htm

 

Public Consultation on the European Small Claims Procedure

 

http://ec.europa.eu/justice/newsroom/civil/opinion/130318_en.htm

 

Digital Agenda: Commission calls on Polish telecom regulator to base

 

deregulation proposal on an up-to-date market assessment

 

http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13-100_en.htm

 

Digital Agenda – European Commission questions Italian telecoms proposal to regulate rates for fixed termination services

 

http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13-98_en.htm

 

European Commission takes action to protect businesses against marketing scams

http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-12-1264_en.htm

 

EC Consumer Law Compendium

http://www.eu-consumer-law.org/

 

Call for applications regarding the setting up of the Commission expert group on a European insurance contract law

http://ec.europa.eu/justice/newsroom/contracts/2013-insurance-contract-law_en.htm

 

New proposals on Alternative and Online Dispute Resolution (ADR) and (ODR)

http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/redress_cons/adr_policy_work_en.htm

 

Internal energy market: Lithuania called upon to comply with EU internal market rules

 

http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-13-122_en.htm

 

Speech: Dialogue structure à la Commission Marché intérieur et protection des consommateurs

 

http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-13-149_fr.htm

 

February 2013: Flash Consumer Confidence Indicator

 

http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13-146_en.htm

 

Commission welcomes European Parliament Committee support for an optional Common European Sales Law

 

http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-13-121_en.htm

 

Preparation of the Energy Council, 22 February 2013

http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-13-127_en.htm

 

72,000 EU consumers helped by European Consumer Centres in 2012 – Annual Report

 

http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/ecc/docs/report_ecc-net_2012_en.pdf

 

Air passengers in Europe: equal rights, unequal access to dispute resolution

 

http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/ecc/docs/adr_report_06022013_en.pdf

 

Report: The European Online Marketplace

 

http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/ecc/docs/e-commerce-report-2012_en.pdf

 

European Small Claims Procedure Report

http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/ecc/docs/small_claims_210992012_en.pdf

 

Public Consultation on the implementation of European Reference Networks (ERN)

 

http://ec.europa.eu/health/cross_border_care/consultations/cons_implementation_ern%5Fen.htm

 

 

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

 

IMCO Draft Opinion on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on a Common European Sales Law

 

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-%2f%2fEP%2f%2fNONSGML%2bCOMPARL%2bPE-505.986%2b01%2bDOC%2bPDF%2bV0%2f%2fEN

 

JURI Draft Report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on a Common European Sales Law

 

 

 

 

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-%2f%2fEP%2f%2fNONSGML%2bCOMPARL%2bPE-505.998%2b02%2bDOC%2bPDF%2bV0%2f%2fEN

 

JURI Amendments on improving access to justice: legal aid in cross-border civil and commercial disputes

 

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/en/studiesdownload.html?languageDocument=EN&file=85474

 

Study: Common European Sales Law (February 2013)

 

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/en/studiesdownload.html?languageDocument=EN&file=85530

 

JURI: The proposal for a Common European Sales Law: work in progress

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/en/juri/events.html#menuzone

 

Workshop on the Plurilateral Agreement on Services

 

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/document/activities/cont/201303/20130313ATT63059/20130313ATT63059EN.pdf

 

Study: The Plurilateral Agreement on Services: At the Staring Gate

 

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/en/studiesdownload.html?languageDocument=EN&file=85474

 

Services Directive: Still plenty of room for improvement

 

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/content/20130222STO05960/html/Services-directive-Still-plenty-of-room-for-improvement

 

Faster and more efficient help for disappointed shoppers

 

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/content/20130308STO06273/html/Faster-and-more-efficient-help-for-disappointed-shoppers

 

National parliaments able to save time thanks to free EP tool for managing amendments

 

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/content/20130318STO06606/html/Parliaments-able-to-save-time-thanks-to-free-EP-tool-for-managing-amendments

 

We cannot afford the luxury of having a fragmented market

 

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/content/20121207STO04398/html/E-commerce-We-cannot-afford-the-luxury-of-having-a-fragmented-market

 

Making travellers’ lives easier

 

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/content/20120420FCS43683/html/Making-travellers’-lives-easier

 

New EU Rules to ensure rapid redress for disappointed shoppers

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/pressroom/content/20130312IPR06438/html/New-EU-rules-to-ensure-rapid-redress-for-disappointed-shoppers

 

IMCO Committee: Draft Opinion on improving access to justice: legal aid in cross-border civil and commercial disputes
2012/2101(IIINI)

 

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-%2f%2fEP%2f%2fNONSGML%2bCOMPARL%2bPE-504.091%2b01%2bDOC%2bPDF%2bV0%2f%2fEN

 

REGI Committee: Motion for a Resolution on the Role of EU Cohesion Policy and its actors in implementing the new European Energy Policy

 

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/plenary/en/reports.html?action=2&tabActif=tabLast#sidesForm

 

EP Resolution: Jurisdiction and the Recognition and Enforcement of Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters

 

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+TA+P7-TA-2012-0412+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN&language=EN

 

EP Resolution:  Implementation of the Consumer Credit Directive

 

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+TA+P7-TA-2012-0418+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN&language=EN

 

ALDE: EU Investment Protection Policy – Seminar

https://aldeadle.box.com/s/vpj2ydr1kzhe4wns1sjx

 

Study: Common European Sales Law (January 2013)

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/en/studiesdownload.html?languageDocument=EN&file=83710

 

 

Study: Why is mediation not used more often as a means of Alternative Dispute Resolution?

 

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/en/studiesdownload.html?languageDocument=XL&file=83482

 

Study: Current gaps and future perspectives in European Private International Law: Towards a Code on Private International law?

 

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/en/studiesdownload.html?languageDocument=XL&file=83497

 

IMCO: Hearing on Services Directive

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/en/imco/home.html

 

 

 

NEWSWIRES

 

 

EuroNews: EU to simply cross-border trade rules

 

http://www.euronews.com/2012/09/17/eu-to-simplify-cross-border-trade-rules

 

Financial Times: Competition lawsuits plan worries CBI

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/46f15418-697c-11e2-9246-00144feab49a.html#axzz2LcvTdGdd

 

 

OTHERS

 

 

BEUC

 

EU updates law on air passengers’ rights

 

http://www.beuc.org/BEUCNoFrame/Docs/2/FOAOGEGANNHCKDAIEPHODCBEPDW69DBYEY9DW3571KM/BEUC/docs/DLS/2013-00162-01-E.pdf

 

 

Doctors at a distance: EU healthcare gets technology prescription

 

http://www.beuc.org/BEUCNoFrame/Docs/1/MDJJDMEDLLAIFLAOELDCEOMJPDWY9DBWP19DW3571KM/BEUC/docs/DLS/2012-00825-01-E.pdf

 

EU Consumer Redress – Old myths and recent realities

 

http://www.beuc.org/BEUCNoFrame/Docs/3/MDJJDMEDLLAIFLAOELDCEOMJPDW69DBDEY9DW3571KM/BEUC/docs/DLS/2013-00061-01-E.pdf

 

Unfair Contract Terms in Passenger Contracts – Open Letter to IATA

 

http://www.beuc.org/BEUCNoFrame/Docs/4/MDJJDMEDLLAIFLAOELDCEOMJPDW69DBDT69DW3571KM/BEUC/docs/DLS/2013-00073-01-E.pdf

 

Future Smart Energy Markets: Protecting and Empowering Consumers – BEUC position paper

 

http://www.beuc.org/BEUCNoFrame/Docs/5/MDJJDMEDLLAIFLAOELDCEOMJPDW69DBDC69DW3571KM/BEUC/docs/DLS/2013-00083-01-E.pdf

 

BEUC Departments and Teams – Update

 

http://www.beuc.org/BEUCNoFrame/Docs/6/MDJJDMEDLLAIFLAOELDCEOMJPDW69DBYBW9DW3571KM/BEUC/docs/DLS/2013-00108-01-E.pdf

 

National Energy Retail Markets – BEUC presentation

 

http://docshare.beuc.org/docs/1/IENJCMEDCPLFHJDJHDJKHADCPDWY9DBNT39DW3571KM/BEUC/docs/DLS/2012-00677-01-E.pdf