62022TJ0050_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Fourth Chamber) of 10 April 2024 –AL v Commission
(Case T‑50/22) (
1
)
(Civil service – Officials – Remuneration – Dependent child allowances – Article 2(4) of Annex VII to the Staff Regulations – Person treated as a dependent child – Conditions for granting – Article 2(2) of Annex VII to the Staff Regulations – Actual maintenance – Recovery of overpayments – Article 85 of the Staff Regulations – Error of assessment – Legitimate expectations)
1.
Officials – Remuneration – Family allowances – Dependent child allowance – Person treated as a dependent child – Conditions – Maintenance involving heavy expenditure – Calculation of the maintenance cost – Account taken of the actual income of the person concerned and of the person requesting the allowance
(Staff Regulations of Officials, Annex VII, Art. 2(4))
(see paragraphs 33-38, 41-49, 54)
2.
Officials – Recovery of overpayments – Limitation period – Member of staff having deliberately misled the administration – Limitation period not enforceable against the administration
(Staff Regulations of Officials, Arts 11 and 85, second para.)
(see paragraphs 62-65, 94, 122, 123)
3.
Officials – Recovery of overpayments – Member of staff having deliberately misled the administration – Concept – Failure by the person requesting the dependent child allowance to declare a military pension – Included – Possibility for the administration to authorise receipt of such income – Irrelevant – Infringement of the principles of the protection of legitimate expectations and of sound administration – None
(Staff Regulations of Officials, Arts 11, second para., and 85, second para., Annex VII, Art. 2(4))
(see paragraphs 70-75, 82-84)
4.
Officials – Remuneration – Family allowances – Dependent child allowance – Conditions for granting – Actual maintenance – Concept – Burden of proof
(Staff Regulations of Officials, Annex VII, Arts 2(2) and (4))
(see paragraphs 109-111, 113)
5.
Officials – Remuneration – Family allowances – Dependent child allowance – Conditions for granting – Actual maintenance – Evidence-based assessment – Insufficient evidence – Request by the administration for further information – Infringement of the principle of proportionality – None
(Staff Regulations of Officials, Annex VII, Arts 2(2) and (4))
(see paragraphs 112, 115-119)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders AL to pay the costs.
(
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)	OJ C 128, 21.3.2022.