62015TJ0364_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 15 September 2021 –ADR Center v Commission
(Case T‑364/15)
(Financial aid – General Programme ‘Fundamental Rights and Justice’ for the period 2007-2013 – Specific Programme ‘Civil Justice’ – Action for annulment – Enforceable decision – Grant agreements – Recovery of part of the financial contribution paid – Action for a declaratory judgment – Arbitration clause – Force majeure – Eligible costs – Proportionality – Obligation to state reasons)
1.
Action for annulment – Jurisdiction of the EU judicature – Scope – Judicial review of an enforceable decision of the Commission for the recovery of a claim – Jurisdiction to examine both the pleas challenging the legality of such a decision and those relating to the breach of contractual obligations giving rise to the adoption of such a decision – Observance of the right to effective judicial protection
(Arts 263 and 272 TFEU; Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Art. 47; European Parliament and Council Regulation No 966/2012, Art. 79(2))
(see paras 61, 106)
2.
EU budget – EU financial assistance – Obligation on the beneficiary to comply with the conditions for grant of the assistance – Financing covering only expenses actually incurred – Demonstration that the costs have actually been incurred – None – Ineligible costs
(Art. 317 TFEU)
(see paras 71-73, 75)
3.
EU budget – EU financial assistance – Obligation on the beneficiary to comply with the conditions for grant of the assistance – Financing covering only expenses actually incurred – Demonstration that the costs have actually been incurred – Allocation of the burden of proof
(Art. 317 TFEU)
(see paras 74, 82)
4.
Action for annulment – Pleas in law – Misuse of powers – Concept
(Art. 263 TFEU)
(see para. 119)
5.
EU law – Principles – Proportionality – Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation No 966/2012)
(see para. 119)
6.
Acts of the institutions – Statement of reasons – Obligation – Scope
(Art. 296 TFEU)
(see paras 123, 124)
Re:
Application seeking, first, annulment, under Article 263 TFEU, of Commission Decision C(2015) 3117 final of 4 May 2015 relating to the recovery of part of the financial contribution paid to the applicant pursuant to two grant agreements concluded under the Specific Programme ‘Civil Justice’ and, second, a declaration that the costs which the Commission declared ineligible in that decision are eligible.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders ADR Center Srl to pay the costs in the main proceedings and in the proceedings for interim measures.