62021TJ0440_INF
Judgment of the General Court (First Chamber) of 14 December 2022 –TM v ECB
(Case T‑440/21) (
1
)
(Civil service – ECB staff – Recruitment – Vacancy notice – Procedure for filling a post of [confidential] (
2
) – Selection criteria – Professional experience – Rejection of application – Appointment of another candidate – Obligation to state reasons – Manifest error of assessment – Misuse of powers – Interests of the service – Liability – Material and non-material damage)
1.
Actions brought by officials – Staff of the European Central Bank – Action directed against the decision to reject the special appeal – Effect – Disputed measure referred to the Court – Exception – Decision not confirmatory in character
(Staff Regulations of Officials, Art. 90; Conditions of Employment for Staff of the European Central Bank, Arts 9(c) and 41; European Central Bank Staff Rules, Art. 8.1)
(see paragraphs 21-25)
2.
Officials – Staff of the European Central Bank – Vacancy notice – Rejection of application – Obligation to state reasons – Scope – Observance of the secrecy of the selection board’s proceedings
(Staff Regulations of Officials, Art. 25, second para.; European Central Bank Staff Rules, Art. 1a.2.7.11, second para.)
(see paragraphs 34-37, 45)
3.
Officials – Staff of the European Central Bank – Recruitment – Procedures – Choice – Administration’s discretion – Obligation to organise an internal recruitment procedure –None
(European Central Bank Staff Rules, Arts 1a.1.1(b), and 1a.3.1.2)
(see paragraph 62)
4.
Officials – Staff of the European Central Bank – Vacancy notice – Selection criteria – Administration’s discretion – Limits – Requirements relating to the posts to be filled and to the interests of the service
(European Central Bank Staff Rules, Art. 1a.3.1.2)
(see paragraph 71)
5.
Officials – Staff of the European Central Bank – Vacancy notice – Consideration of the comparative merits of candidates – Administration’s discretion – Limits – Observance of the conditions laid down in the vacancy notice – Judicial review – Limits
(European Central Bank Staff Rules, Art. 1a.3.1.2)
(see paragraphs 90, 113-115, 120, 129)
6.
Officials – Staff of the European Central Bank – Vacancy notice – Consideration of the comparative merits of candidates – Challenge, by an unsuccessful candidate, to the greater profile of the successful candidate – Burden of proof
(European Central Bank Staff Rules, Art. 1a.3.1.2)
(see paragraphs 149, 150)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders TM to pay the costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 391, 27.9.2021.
(
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)	Confidential information redacted.