62020TJ0358_INF
Judgment of the General Court (First Chamber) of 12 July 2023 –Net Technologies Finland v REA
(Case T‑358/20) (
1
)
(Arbitration clause – Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007-2013) – Personnel costs – Reimbursement of sums paid – Eligibility of costs relating to in-house consultants – Burden of proof)
1.
Judicial proceedings – General Court seised under an arbitration clause – Contracts concluded under a specific research, technological development and demonstration programme – Dispute arising during the performance of a contract – Interpretation based on clauses of the contract
(Art. 272 TFEU)
(see paragraphs 25, 44, 45, 92)
2.
Judicial proceedings – General Court seised under an arbitration clause – Contracts concluded under a specific research, technological development and demonstration programme – Dispute arising during the performance of a contract – Comments of the applicant submitted by email – Burden of proof
(Art. 272 TFEU)
(see paragraphs 66, 67)
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 paragraphs 99-103)
4.
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 – Staff costs – Costs relating to in-house consultants – Eligibility criteria
(Art. 317 TFEU)
(see paragraphs 107, 108)
Operative part
1.
Declares that the costs for internal consultants, rejected by the Research Executive Agency (REA) in the amount of EUR 184 642.84, constitute eligible costs under the grant agreement, bearing the reference FP7SEC2012312484, concluded with a view to carrying out the project ‘Inter System Interoperability for Tetra – TetraPol Networks';
2.
Declares that debit notes No 3242005825 concerning the recovery of the sum of EUR 171 342.97 in respect of an unjustified contribution and EUR 17 134.30 in respect of liquidated damages, issued by the REA are unfounded;
3.
Orders the REA to pay the costs, including those relating to the interim proceedings.
(
1
)	OJ C 279, 24.8.2020.