62021TJ0763_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Fourth Chamber) of 8 March 2023 –SE v Commission
(Case T‑763/21) (
1
)
(Civil service – Members of the temporary staff – Recruitment – Commission’s pilot programme for recruiting junior administrators – Rejection of application – Eligibility conditions – Criterion of a maximum of three years of professional experience – Equal treatment – Discrimination based on age)
1.
Actions brought by officials – Plea of illegality – Measures the illegality of which may be pleaded – General measure providing the basis of the contested decision – Need for a direct legal connection between the contested measure and the contested general measure
(Arts 263 and 277 TFEU)
(see paragraphs 25-28, 31, 34, 35, 38, 40)
2.
Actions brought by officials – Plea alleging infringement of the principle of equal treatment – Reversal of the burden of proof – Conditions
(Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Arts 20 and 21; Staff Regulations of Officials, Art. 1d(1) and (5))
(see paragraphs 44-46)
3.
Acts of the institutions – Directives – Directive 2000/78 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation – Direct imposition of obligations on EU institutions in relations with their staff – Precluded – Invocability – Scope
(Art. 288, third para., TFEU; Council Directive 2000/78, Art. 21)
(see paragraphs 49-52)
4.
Officials – Members of the temporary staff – Recruitment – Call for expressions of interest with a view to recruiting junior administrators – Criterion concerning the maximum professional experience – Indirect discrimination based on age – Justification of pursuing the objectives of promoting employment and professional training – Proportionality vis-à-vis the objectives pursued – Whether permissible
(Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Arts 20 and 21; Staff Regulations of Officials, Art. 1d(6); Council Directive 2000/78, Art. 6(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 54-59, 64-76, 84-86, 89)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders SE to pay the costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 73, 14.2.2022.