62020TJ0740_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Fifth Chamber) of 14 July 2021 –Arnautu v Parliament
(Case T‑740/20) (
1
)
(Law governing the institutions – Rules on expenses and allowances for Members of Parliament – Parliamentary assistance allowance – Recovery of sums unduly paid – Plea of illegality – Rights of the defence – Error of assessment)
1.
EU law – Principles – Legal certainty – EU rules – Requirements of clarity and foreseeability – Use of undetermined legal concepts requiring interpretation and application by the administration – Whether permissible
(see paras 27-30)
2.
EU law – Principles – Protection of legitimate expectations – Conditions – Specific assurances given by the authorities – Concept
(see para. 31)
3.
European Parliament – Members – Payment of expenses and allowances – Parliamentary assistance allowances – Check relating to the use of parliamentary assistance expenses – Burden of proof
(Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament concerning implementing measures for the Statute of Members of the European Parliament, Art. 33(1) and (2))
(see paras 37, 38)
4.
European Parliament – Members – Payment of expenses and allowances – Parliamentary assistance allowances – Defrayal of expenses not linked to the exercise of a parliamentary mandate – Not included
(Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament concerning implementing measures for the Statute of Members of the European Parliament, Art. 33(2))
(see paras 40, 41)
5.
Acts of the institutions – Unalterable nature of acts after adoption – Amendment subject to compliance with the rules on competence and procedure
(see para. 51)
6.
Court of Justice – Judgments – Interpretation of the rules of law – Application to legal relationships arising and established before delivery of the decision
(see para. 54)
7.
EU law – Principles – Rights of the defence – Right to be heard – Scope – No obligation to give the person concerned the opportunity to express himself or herself orally
(see paras 58, 59)
8.
Action for annulment – Review of legality – Criteria – Account taken only of elements of fact and law existing at the date on which the contested measure was adopted
(Art. 263 TFEU)
(see para. 73)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Mrs Marie-Christine Arnautu to bear her own costs and to pay those incurred by the European Parliament.
(
1
)	OJ C 44, 8.2.2021.