Case C-171/07: Reference for a preliminary ruling from the Verwaltungsgericht des Saarlandes (Germany) lodged on 30 March 2007 — Apothekerkammer des Saarlandes, Marion Schneider, Michael Holzapfel, Dr Fritz Trennheuser and Deutscher Apothekerverband e.V. v Saarland and Ministerium für Justiz, Gesundheit und Soziales, intervening party: DocMorris N.V.
Date: 2007-06-23
Institutions: Court of Justice
Subjects: Germany, company with share capital, interpretation of the law, pharmacy, right of establishment

23.6.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 140/11

2. (i) Regardless of the reply to be given to question (1), is the
imposition of a temporal restriction — in the sense that the
link must have existed for a significant period of time — as
a precondition for the application of the scheme, where the
persons concerned are not permitted to demonstrate that
there is a valid economic reason for the link being forged,
disproportionate in relation to the objectives of the directive
and to the need for compliance with the principle prohi-
legislation to be
biting the abuse of rights? (ii)
regarded in any event as contrary to the principle of the
neutrality of VAT?

Is that

(1) OJ 1977 L 145, p. 1

graph 8 of the Gesetz über das Apothekenwesen — ApoG
— (Law on Pharmacies) of 15 October 1980 (BGBl. I, p.
1993), as amended most recently by Article 34 of the Regu-
lations of 31 October 2006 (BGBl. I, p. 2407)?

2. If the first question is answered in the affirmative:

Having regard in particular to Article 10 EC and to the prin-
is a national
ciple of effectiveness of Community law,
authority entitled and obliged to disapply national provisions
it regards as contrary to Community law even if there is no
clear breach of Community law and it has not been estab-
lished by the Court of Justice of the European Communities
that
the relevant provisions are incompatible with Com-
munity law?

Reference for a preliminary ruling from the Verwaltungs-
lodged on 30 March
gericht des Saarlandes (Germany)
2007 — Apothekerkammer des Saarlandes, Marion
Schneider, Michael Holzapfel, Dr Fritz Trennheuser and
Deutscher Apothekerverband e.V. v Saarland and Minis-
intervening
terium für Justiz, Gesundheit und Soziales,

party: DocMorris N.V.

Reference for a preliminary ruling from the Verwaltungs-
gericht des Saarlandes (Germany)
lodged on 30 March
2007 — Helga Neumann-Seiwert v Saarland and Minis-
intervening
terium für Justiz, Gesundheit und Soziales,

party: DocMorris N.V.

(Case C-171/07)

(2007/C 140/18)

Language of the case: German

Referring court

Verwaltungsgericht des Saarlandes

Parties to the main proceedings

(Case C-172/07)

(2007/C 140/19)

Language of the case: German

Referring court

Verwaltungsgericht des Saarlandes

Parties to the main proceedings

Claimant: Helga Neumann-Seiwert

Claimants: Apothekerkammer des Saarlandes, Marion Schneider,
Michael Holzapfel, Dr Fritz Trennheuser and Deutscher Apothe-
kerverband e.V.

Defendants: Saarland and Ministerium für Justiz, Gesundheit und
Soziales

Defendants: Saarland and Ministerium für Justiz, Gesundheit und
Soziales

Joined party: DocMorris N.V

Joined party: DocMorris N.V.

Questions referred

Questions referred

1. Are the provisions concerning freedom of establishment for
capital companies (Articles 43 and 48 EC) to be interpreted
as precluding a prohibition on foreign ownership of pharma-
cies, as provided for by Paragraph 2(1)(1) to (4) and (7), the
first sentence of Paragraph 7 and the first sentence of Para-

1. Are the provisions concerning freedom of establishment for
capital companies (Articles 43 and 48 EC) to be interpreted
as precluding a prohibition on foreign ownership of pharma-
cies, as provided for by Paragraph 2(1)(1) to (4) and (7), the
first sentence of Paragraph 7 and the first sentence of Para-
graph 8 of the Gesetz über das Apothekenwesen — ApoG
— (Law on Pharmacies) of 15 October 1980 (BGBl. I, p.
1993), as amended most recently by Article 34 of the Regu-
lations of 31 October 2006 (BGBl. I, p. 2407)?