62017TJ0695_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Ninth Chamber) of 16 June 2021 –Italy and Spain v Commission
(Cases T‑695/17 and T‑704/17)
(Rules on languages – Notice of open competitions for the recruitment of German-language translators, French-language translators, Italian-language translators and Dutch-language translators – Restriction of the choice of languages 2 and 3 in the competitions to German, English and French – Regulation No 1 – Article 1d(1) and (6), Article 27 and Article 28(f) of the Staff Regulations – Discrimination based on language – Interests of the service – Proportionality – Obligation to state reasons)
1.
Officials – Competitions – Holding of an open competition – Languages of participation in tests – Restriction of the choice of the second and third language – Discrimination based on language – Justification having regard to the interests of the service – Observance of the principle of proportionality
(Staff Regulations of Officials, Arts 1d(1) and (6), 27 and 28(f) and Annex III, Art. 1(1)(f); Council Regulation No 1, Art. 1)
(see paras 68-72, 75-77, 94, 106)
2.
Officials – Competitions – Holding of an open competition – Languages of participation in tests – Restriction of the choice of the second and third language – Judicial review – Scope
(Staff Regulations of Officials, Art. 1d)
(see paras 95-97)
3.
Officials – Notice of open competition – Languages of participation in tests – Restriction of the choice of the second and third language – Discrimination based on language – Justification based on the interest of the service in recruiting people who can be immediately operational
(Staff Regulations of Officials, Arts 1d, 27 and 28(f) and Annex III, Art. 1(1)(f); Council Regulation No 1, Art. 1)
(see paras 101-105, 110-115, 119, 122, 130, 131, 134, 137, 143-145, 171)
4.
Judicial proceedings – Production of evidence – Time limit – Evidence lodged out of time – Conditions
(Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 85(1) and (3))
(see paras 158, 159)
5.
Officials – Competitions – Holding of an open competition – Languages of communication between the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) and the candidates – Restriction – Whether permissible – Statement of reasons – Justification having regard to the interests of the service – Observance of the principle of equal treatment between candidates
(Staff Regulations of Officials, Art. 1d(1) and (6) and Annex III, Art. 1; Council Regulation No 1, Arts 2 and 5)
(see paras 179-181)
6.
Actions brought by officials – Judgment annulling a measure – Effects – Annulment of a notice of open competition – Legitimate expectations of the candidates selected – No effect on candidates already recruited
(Art. 266 TFEU)
(see para. 190)
Re:
Application under Article 263 TFEU seeking the annulment of the notice of open competitions to draw up reserve lists for the recruitment of German-language translators (AD 5) (EPSO/AD/343/17), French-language translators (AD 5) (EPSO/AD/344/17), Italian-language translators (AD 5) (EPSO/AD/345/17) and Dutch-language translators (AD 5) (EPSO/AD/346/17) (OJ 2017 C 224 A, p. 1).
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Joins Cases T‑695/17 and T‑704/17 for the purposes of the judgment;
2.
Annuls the notice of open competitions to draw up reserve lists for the recruitment German-language translators (AD 5) (EPSO/AD/343/17), French-language translators (AD 5) (EPSO/AD/344/17), Italian-language translators (AD 5) (EPSO/AD/345/17) and Dutch-language translators (AD 5) (EPSO/AD/346/17);
3.
Orders the European Commission to bear its own costs and to pay the costs incurred by the Italian Republic in Case T‑695/17 and those incurred by the Kingdom of Spain in Case T‑704/17.