Lexploria - Legal research enhanced by smart algorithms
Lexploria beta Legal research enhanced by smart algorithms
Menu
Browsing history:

BEIS v. GREECE

Doc ref: 22045/93 • ECHR ID: 001-45791

Document date: December 5, 1995

  • Inbound citations: 1
  • Cited paragraphs: 0
  • Outbound citations: 3

BEIS v. GREECE

Doc ref: 22045/93 • ECHR ID: 001-45791

Document date: December 5, 1995

Cited paragraphs only



EUROPEAN COMMISSION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

FIRST CHAMBER

Application No. 22045/93

Kostas Beis

against

Greece

REPORT OF THE COMMISSION

(adopted on 5 December 1995)

                       TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                          Page

I.   INTRODUCTION

     (paras. 1-15). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

     A.   The application

          (paras. 2-4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

     B.   The proceedings

          (paras. 5-10) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

     C.   The present Report

          (paras. 11-15). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

II.  ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FACTS

     (paras. 16-32) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

     A.   The particular circumstances of the case

          (paras. 16-26). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

     B.   Relevant domestic law

          (paras. 27-32). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

III. OPINION OF THE COMMISSION

     (paras. 33-71) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

     A.   Complaints declared admissible

          (para. 33). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

     B.   Points at issue

          (para. 34). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

     C.   As regards Article 1 of Protocol No. 1

          (paras. 35-54). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

     a.   Existence of a property right

          (paras. 36-48). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

     b.   Violation of Article 1 of Protocol No. 1

          (paras. 49-54). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

          CONCLUSION

          (para. 55). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

     D.   As regards Article 6 para. 1 of the Convention

          (paras. 56-62). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

          CONCLUSION

          (para. 63). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

                       TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                          Page

     E.   As regards Article 13 of the Convention

          (paras. 64-67). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

          CONCLUSION

          (para. 68). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

     F.   Recapitulation

          (paras. 69-71). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

APPENDIX: DECISION OF THE COMMISSION AS TO THE

          ADMISSIBILITY OF THE APPLICATION. . . . . . . . . 13

I.   INTRODUCTION

1.   The following is an outline of the case as submitted to the

European Commission of Human Rights, and of the procedure before the

Commission.

A.   The application

2.   The applicants is a Greek citizen, born in Greece and resident

in Athens. He was represented before the Commission by

Mr. Ch. Chryssanthakis, a lawyer practising in Athens.

3.   The application is directed against Greece.  The respondent

Government were represented by their Agent, Mr. L. Papidas, President

of the Legal Advisory Council of the State and Mr. Ph. Georgakopoulos,

Deputy Member of the Legal Advisory Council of the State.

4.   The case concerns the refusal of a public body to comply with a

judge's final decision ordering it to pay the applicant a sum of money

and the lack of any possibility under domestic law of compelling it to

do so.  The applicant invokes Articles 6 para. 1 and 13 of the

Convention and Article 1 of Protocol No. 1.

B.   The proceedings

5.   The application was introduced on 18 March 1993 and registered

on 11 June 1993.

6.   On 2 March 1994 the Commission (First Chamber) decided, pursuant

to Rule 48 para. 2 (b) of its Rules of Procedure, to give notice of the

application to the respondent Government and to invite the parties to

submit written observations on its admissibility and merits.

7.   The Government's observations were submitted on 22 June 1994

after an  extension of the time-limit fixed for this purpose.  The

applicant replied on 20 July 1994.

8.   On 11 January 1995 the Commission declared the application

admissible.

9.   The text of the Commission's decision on admissibility was sent

to the parties on 26 January 1995 and they were invited to submit such

further information or observations on the merits as they wished.

10.  After declaring the case admissible, the Commission, acting in

accordance with Article 28 para. 1 (b) of the Convention, also placed

itself at the disposal of the parties with a view to securing a

friendly settlement.  In the light of the parties' reaction, the

Commission now finds that there is no basis on which such a settlement

can be effected.

C.   The present Report

11.  The present Report has been drawn up by the Commission (First

Chamber) in pursuance of Article 31 of the Convention and after

deliberations and votes, the following members being present:

          Mrs. J. LIDDY, Acting President

          MM.  C.L. ROZAKIS

               E. BUSUTTIL

               A.S. GÖZÜBÜYÜK

               A. WEITZEL

               M.P. PELLONPÄÄ

               B. MARXER

               B. CONFORTI

               N. BRATZA

               I. BÉKÉS

               E. KONSTANTINOV

               G. RESS

               A. PERENIC

               C. BÎRSAN

               K. HERNDL

12.  The text of this Report was adopted on 5 December 1995 by the

Commission and is now transmitted to the Committee of Ministers of the

Council of Europe, in accordance with Article 31 para. 2 of the

Convention.

13.  The purpose of the Report, pursuant to Article 31 of the

Convention, is:

     (i)  to establish the facts, and

     (ii) to state an opinion as to whether the facts found disclose

          a breach by the State concerned of its obligations under

          the Convention.

14.   The Commission's decision on the admissibility of the

application is annexed hereto.

15.  The full text of the parties' submissions, together with the

documents lodged as exhibits, are held in the archives of the

Commission.

II.  ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FACTS

A.   The particular circumstances of the case

16.  In March 1992 the head of the legal service of the Technical

Chamber of Greece (Tehniko Epimelitirio Ellados - hereafter TEE), a

legal entity of public law (nomiko prosopo dimosiu dikeu) enjoying all

the privileges and immunities of the State, entrusted the applicant

with the drafting of two expert's opinions concerning proceedings

brought against the TEE by Messrs. P and S. It was agreed that the

applicant would receive a fee of 7,500,000 drachmas for the drafting

of the two opinions. Mr. P, an engineer, had sued the TEE for having

failed adequately to represent him in proceedings for the recovery of

his fees. Mr. S., a lawyer who used to provide legal services to the

TEE under a long-term agreement, had initiated proceedings against the

TEE to challenge the termination of that agreement.

17.  The applicant submitted his opinions on 22 April 1992. However,

the fee agreed was not paid. According to the applicant, the deputy

(paredros) of the Court of Auditors (Elengtiko Sinedrio) did not

approve the payment on the ground that the opinions could have been

drafted by the legal staff of the TEE.

18.  On 4 May 1992 the Committee of Management of the TEE set up a

seven-member expert committee which would have advised the TEE on a

number of issues against a fee of 10,500,000 drachmas. The applicant

was one of the members of this committee and one of the issues the

committee would have provided advice on was the actions brought against

the TEE by P and S.

19.  On 8 May 1992 five of the members of the committee notified the

legal service of the TEE that the committee had agreed to delegate to

the applicant the task of advising the TEE on the proceedings brought

against it by P and S. The applicant would receive 7,500,000 drachmas

out of the total sum offered by the TEE to the committee. The remaining

issues in the committee's mandate would be dealt with by the other

members of the committee, who would receive the remaining

3,000,000 drachmas.

20.  On 12 June 1992 the TEE acknowledged receipt of two expert

opinions drafted by the applicant concerning the proceedings brought

by P and S against the TEE.

21.  On 9 July 1992 the Committee of Management of the TEE decided to

pay the applicant 7,500,000 drachmas. On 29 July 1992, however, the

Audit Court commissioner (epitropos) refused to authorise the payment,

on the ground that the establishment of the expert committee had been

unnecessary and therefore illegal. The TEE disagreed with the

commissioner's opinion and on 16 September 1992 the case was referred

to one of the Chambers of the Audit Court.

22.  On 5 October 1992 the applicant lodged with the judge of the

Court of First Instance (Monomeles Protodikio) of Athens an application

for an order for payment (diatagi pliromis) against the TEE, by which

he sought recovery of the agreed remuneration for the two expert

opinions he had submitted. His application was granted on

12 October 1992 (order for payment No. 12207/92). Taking into

consideration the decision of 4 May 1992 of the Committee of Management

of the TEE, the certificate of the TEE of 12 June 1992 and the decision

of 9 July 1992 of the Committee of Management of the TEE, the judge

ordered the TEE to pay the applicant 7,500,000 drachmas.

23.  On 21 October 1992 the applicant served the order on the TEE

together with formal notice to pay. However, no payment was made. The

order was served again on 11 November 1992, after the expiration of the

time limit in which the TEE could have filed an opposition (anakopi).

24.  On 24 November 1992 the First Chamber of the Audit Court

confirmed that no payment should be made. The Court considered that,

although the setting up of the committee was legal, the relevant rules

did not provide for the delegation of part of the committee's

responsibilities to one of its members.

25.  On 3 December 1992, after the payment order had acquired force

of res judicata, the applicant submitted to the Bank of Greece a formal

request for compulsory seizure of the deposited TEE's assets.

26.  In the meantime the TEE indicated once more its wish to satisfy

the applicant on the basis of the order for payment. On

12 February 1993, however, the competent Commissioner of the Court of

Auditors refused to authorise the payment relying on a decision of the

Plenary of the Court of 6 March 1985 to the effect that the res

judicata force of the orders for payment being limited, they cannot be

assimilated to a final court decision and, as a result, they do not

bind the Court of Auditors.

B.   Relevant domestic law

27.  The procedure for issuing an order for payment is set forth in

Articles 623 to 634 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

     Article 623

     "A person may apply for an order for payment, under the

     special procedure of Articles 624 to 634, in respect of

     claims to specific sums of money ..... the existence of

     which is proven by deed done by a public authority or

     privately".

     Article 625

     "The justice of the peace (irinodikis) is competent to

     issue orders for payment in respect of claims otherwise

     coming within his jurisdiction. The judge of the court of

     first instance is competent to issue orders for payment in

     all other cases. No hearing is held on the application for

     an order for payment".

     Article 627

     "The judge decides on the application as soon as possible,

     without notifying the debtor ...."

     Article 629 provides:

     "The judge grants the application if it is well founded in

     law and in fact, orders the debtor to pay the sum due as

     well as the court costs ......"

     Article 631

     "An order for payment is a title which can be executed".

     Article 632 para. 1

     "The debtor against whom an order has been issued has the

     right to lodge an opposition within fifteen days from its

     notification. The opposition is lodged with the court which

     is competent ratione materiae to hear the case ....."

     Article 633 para. 2

     "If no opposition is lodged within the time-limit provided

     by law, the person in favour of whom the order has been

     issued may notify the debtor once again. The latter has the

     right to lodge an opposition within a period of fifteen

     from notification ....... If no opposition is lodged, the

     order for payment acquires force of res judicata ......

28.  The presidential decree of 27.11/14.12.1926 provides the

following in respect of the TEE:

     Article 4

     "1.  The aim of the TEE is the promotion of knowledge in

     the scientific fields which are related to the

     specialisation of its members .....

     2.   The TEE acts as the advisor of the Government in

     technical matters related to its aim .....

     3.   The TEE conducts the relevant examinations and grants

     the licences required for the exercise of the profession of

     an engineer, in accordance with the relevant provisions,

     keeps a registry with the names of professional engineers,

     technical offices and firms, seeks the recovery of fees

     payable to engineers in accordance with the relevant

     provisions ......

     ........"

     Article 41

     "The TEE enjoys all the privileges of the State ....."

29.  Furthermore, the presidential decree 766/74 provides the

following:

     "The Court of Auditors exercises an a priori control over

     the expenditure of ........ the TEE ......."

30.  Article 8 para. 1 of law 2097/52 provides:

     "Court decisions ordering the payment of sums of money or

     court costs cannot be enforced against the State ....."

31.  Article 98 para. 1 of the Constitution provides the following in

respect of the Court of Auditors:

     "The Court of Auditors is in particular competent for the

     following matters:

     a)   Controlling the expenditures of the State, the local

     authorities and any other public law body which has been

     subjected to its control in accordance with a special law.

     ........."

32.  Furthermore, Article 17 of the presidential decree 774/80, which

has codified all the legal provisions concerning the Court of Auditors,

provides the following:

     "1.  The Court of Auditors .....

     b)   exercises the control under Article 98 of the

     Constitution ...... in order to verify that there exist

     lawfully allocated funds for each expenditure and that the

     expenditure has been effected in accordance with the

     provisions on public accounts and any other relevant legal

     provision.

     ......

     3.   When exercising its control powers the Court of

     Auditors may examine any preliminary issue which may arise;

     however, it is bound by the legal provisions regarding res

     judicata ....."

III. OPINION OF THE COMMISSION

A.   Complaints declared admissible

33.  The Commission has declared admissible the applicant's complaints

concerning the refusal of the TEE to comply with a judge's final

decision ordering it to pay the applicant a sum of money and the lack

of any possibility under domestic law of compelling the TEE to do so.

B.   Points at issue

34.  The issues to be determined are whether there has been a

violation of Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 (P1-1) and of Articles 6

para. 1 and 13 (art. 6-1, 13) of the Convention.

C.   As regards Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 (P1-1)

35.  Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 (P1-1) reads as follows:

     "Every natural or legal person is entitled to the peaceful

     enjoyment of his possessions.  No one shall be deprived of his

     possessions except in the public interest and subject to the

     conditions provided for by law and by the general principles of

     international law.

     The preceding provisions shall not, however, in any way impair

     the right of a State to enforce such laws as it deems necessary

     to control the use of property in accordance with the general

     interest or to secure the payment of taxes or other contributions

     or penalties."

a.   Existence of a property right

36.  The Commission must first establish whether a property right was

involved.

37.  The applicant submits that the judge who issues an order for

payment determines an Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 (P1-1) right. Before

issuing the order, the judge has to be satisfied that the application

is well founded in law and in fact. The applicant admits that the order

for payment in itself cannot be assimilated to a court judgment.

However, the law grants the person against whom the order is made the

right to lodge an opposition. Thereupon a court judgment is issued

which has res judicata force.

38.  The applicant further argues that the exercise by the Court of

Auditors of its control powers cannot cancel property rights deriving

from a contractual relationship between an individual acting in good

faith and a public authority, especially when these rights have been

recognised by a judge whose assessment has acquired res judicata force.

39.  The applicant finally claims that, if he had tried to lodge civil

proceedings, his action would have been rejected given the res judicata

force of the order for payment. Alternatively, it would have been

rejected for lack of legal interest, as he had already obtained a

payment order. In any event, several years would have elapsed before

he could obtain a final decision in proceedings for breach of contract.

40.  The Greek Government contend that the judge who issues an order

for payment does not determine an Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 (P1-1)

right, since he does not deliver justice. The order is not a court

judgment and is not pronounced pursuant to a judicial procedure with

all the appropriate procedural guarantees. It has very limited

consequences and does not create an irrebutable presumption that the

claim exists and that the assessment of the judge is correct. The Court

of Auditors, which must authorise all public expenditure, cannot in

such circumstances consider itself bound by an order for payment.

41.  The Government further argue that the existence of a claim

depends on the legality of the underlying contractual relationship. As

a result, it cannot be concluded, on the basis of an order for payment,

that a claim exists, when the competent organs of control, in casu the

Court of Auditors, have not accepted the legality of this claim.

42.  The Government finally claim that, if the applicant had

instituted proceedings before the civil courts for breach of contract,

he would have obtained satisfaction from the TEE. The latter was

willing to pay but was prevented by the Court of Auditors which

considered the relevant expenditure illegal. However, a final court

judgment in an ordinary civil action (agogi) for recovery would have

bound the Court of Auditors, which would have then authorised the

payment.

43.  The Commission recalls that, in accordance with its case-law, a

claim can constitute a "possession", within the meaning of Article 1

of Protocol No. 1 (P1-1), provided that it is sufficiently established

(Stran Refineries S.A. and Stratis Andreadis v. Greece, Comm. Report

12.5.93, unpublished, para. 78, No. 7742/76, Dec. 4.7.78, D.R. 14

p. 146; No. 7775/77, Dec. 5.10.78, D.R. 15 p. 143).

44.  In the circumstances of the case, the Commission observes that

the applicant's claim to his fee was not tested before the courts in

civil proceedings for breach of contract but in the context of the

special procedure for the issuing of a payment order.

45.  The parties agree that the purpose of the special procedure

leading to the issuing of a payment order is to enable creditors to

obtain speedy relief in respect of claims to specific sums of money the

existence of which is proven by deed. The payment order is issued on

the application of the creditor by a single judge on the basis of the

deed. The procedure is in writing. Although the judge must be satisfied

that the application is well founded in law and in fact, the person

against whom the order is made is not heard. The order for payment can

form the basis for the seizure of the debtor's assets. Before obtaining

execution, however, the creditor must serve the order on the debtor and

the latter may lodge an opposition. Thereupon a hearing is held with

the participation of both parties. If no opposition is lodged the order

for payment acquires force of res judicata.

46.  The Commission observes that the applicant obtained a payment

order, which he served on the TEE. The latter did not lodge an

opposition and, as a result, the order for payment acquired force of

res judicata. The Government submit that a general distinction must be

made between the underlying right, which is not the subject matter of

the procedure for a payment order, and the claim to be paid a

particular sum of money, which forms its subject matter. However, the

Government have never argued that in the particular case the TEE could

not raise in the context of the procedure for the payment order their

arguments regarding the alleged illegality of the underlying

contractual relationship. Moreover, it is not disputed that the

applicant acted in good faith and that he completed the work for which

the TEE had agreed to pay him a fee of a certain amount.

47.  In these circumstances, the Commission considers that the

distinction between underlying right and claim is largely theoretical.

Noting that the TEE could lodge an opposition but apparently decided

not to, the Commission concludes that the applicant's claim to be paid

a fee of 7,500,000 drachmas is sufficiently established and constitutes

a "possession" within the meaning of Article 1 of Protocol No. 1

(P1-1).

48.  The fact that the applicant did not lodge an ordinary civil

action for breach of contract does not undermine this conclusion. The

Commission notes in this connection that the Government have not

contested the applicant's submission that several years would have

elapsed before he could obtain a final decision in proceedings for

breach of contract. The proceedings for the payment order, on the

contrary, lasted just over a month and the applicant's claim was

sufficiently tested in the context of these proceedings to become a

possession within the meaning of Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 (P1-1).

b.    Violation of Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 (P1-1)

49.  The Commission must then decide whether the refusal of the TEE

to comply with the payment order violated the applicant's right under

Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 (P1-1).

50.  The applicant submits that there has been an interference with

his property rights which is not justified under Article 1 of

Protocol No. 1 (P1-1).

51.  The Government argue that the TEE was prevented from complying

by the Court of Auditors which would not authorise the relevant

expenditure on the ground that it was illegal. As for the rest, the

Government submit that it is in the public interest not to allow

enforcement against public bodies. Any interference with the

applicant's possessions would have been, therefore, justified under

Article 1 para. 2 of Protocol No. 1 (P1-1-2).

52.  The Commission recalls, that in accordance with its case-law, the

refusal of a State, which enjoys immunity from execution, to comply

with a court decision ordering it to pay a sum of money, which

constitutes a possession for the purposes of Article 1 of Protocol

No. 1 (P1-1), amounts to a deprivation of property within the meaning

of that provision. Moreover, it constitutes a violation of Article 1

of Protocol No. 1 (P1-1) if it cannot be justified by any of the

restrictions provided for in that Article (The Heirs of Dierckx, Comm.

Report 6.3.90, paras. 35-36, unpublished).

53.  In the circumstances of the case, it was not the Greek State

stricto sensu (Dimosio) which did not comply with a decision ordering

payment of a sum of money but a public law body (nomiko prosopo dimosiu

dikeu), the TEE. Under domestic law, public law bodies, although

legally separate from the State, are assimilated in many respects with

it. As a result, the TEE enjoys all the legal privileges of the State.

However, the TEE is in essence a professional association. Although it

has been also entrusted with the discharge of certain public functions,

the agreement which it concluded with the applicant did not directly

involve the exercise of these public functions. Yet the TEE enjoyed

immunity from execution in connection with this agreement as well.

54.  The Commission notes that, although the TEE enjoyed immunity from

execution, it was willing to comply with the payment order. It was

prevented from doing so, because the Court of Auditors was of the

opinion that the relevant expenditure was illegal. However, the Court

of Auditors expressed this opinion when exercising an a priori control

of the legality of the relevant expenditure and the Commission

considers that the opinion of another branch of the administration

cannot be invoked to thwart the protection afforded to property rights

by the courts. It follows that, in the circumstances of the case, there

can be no justification for the deprivation of the applicant's property

rights which resulted from the combination of the privileges of the TEE

and the view taken by the Court of Auditors.

CONCLUSION

55.  The Commission concludes, unanimously, that in the present case

there has been a violation of Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 (P1-1).

D.   As regards Article 6 para. 1 (Art. 6-1) of the Convention

56.  Article 6 para. 1 (Art. 6-1) of the Convention reads as follows:

     "In the determination of his civil rights and obligations

     or of a criminal charge against him, everyone is entitled

     to a fair and public hearing within a reasonable time by an

     independent and impartial tribunal established by law.

     ......"

57.  The applicant argues that the proceedings for a payment order

involved a determination of his civil rights with the meaning of

Article 6 para. 1 (Art. 6-1) of the Convention. The requirements of

that provision were violated as a result of the immunity from execution

enjoyed by the TEE and the fact that he was not allowed under Greek law

to seize assets of his debtor, the TEE, which are deposited with banks.

In the circumstances of the case, the applicant's rights were de facto

determined by a member of the Court of Auditors, who refused to

authorise the payment of the sum. Although an appeal lay with the Court

of Auditors, the latter is not an Article 6 court, as it is called upon

to review the actions of its own members.

58.  The Government consider it doubtful whether the applicant can

invoke Article 6 (Art. 6) of the Convention, since the dispute which

led to the issuing of the order for payment is neither real nor

serious. The real basis of the applicant's contractual relationship

with the TEE is the agreement of March 1992, which, however, did not

form the subject matter of the dispute of which he complains. In any

event, the proceedings for an order for payment do not involve the

determination of civil rights and the applicant never instituted

ordinary civil proceedings.

59.  The Commission considers that the proceedings for the payment

order involved a determination of the applicant's civil rights. This

follows from the Commission's earlier finding that the applicant's

claim was sufficiently tested in the context of these proceedings to

become a "possession" within the meaning of Protocol No. 1 (Eur. Court

H.R., Sporrong and Lönnroth judgment of 23 September 1982, Series A

no. 52, p. 29, para. 79). Moreover, the Commission finds no ground for

concluding, as the Government suggest, that the dispute which led to

the issuing of the order for payment was neither real nor serious. As

a result, Article 6 para. 1 (Art. 6-1) of the Convention was applicable

in the proceedings in question.

60.  The Commission recalls that Article 6 para. 1 (Art. 6-1) of the

Convention guarantees the right to a court in the determination of

one's civil rights and obligations (Eur. Court H.R., Golder judgment

of 21 February 1975, Series A no. 18, p. 18, para. 36). It further

considers that the right to a court would be rendered entirely illusory

and theoretical if State authorities could refuse, without acting in

breach of Article 6 (Art. 6) of the Convention, to comply with court

decisions issued against them in disputes involving the determination

of civil rights and obligations (H. v. Greece, Comm. Report 23.10.95,

para. 55, unpublished). The same holds true in respect of public law

bodies which are largely assimilated under domestic law to the State.

61.  In the circumstances of the case, the Government admit that the

applicant had no means under domestic law of having the payment order

enforced against the TEE, which enjoyed immunity from execution. The

Commission notes that a decision issued in the context of proceedings

for breach of contract could not have been enforced against the TEE

either. It follows that the applicant's right to an effective

determination of his rights by a court has been violated.

62.  In the light of this finding, the Commission does not consider

it necessary to examine whether, if the TEE had not enjoyed immunity

from execution, Article 6 (Art. 6) of the Convention would have been

violated because the applicant would not have been allowed to seize the

TEE's assets which were deposited with the Bank of Greece. In any

event, the applicant has not shown that this would have been the only

means of obtaining redress.

     CONCLUSION

63.  The Commission concludes, unanimously, that in the present case

there has been a violation of Article 6 para. 1 (Art. 6-1) of the

Convention.

E.   As regards Article 13 (Art. 13) of the Convention

64.  Article 13 (Art. 13) of the Convention reads as follows:

     "Everyone whose rights and freedoms as set forth in this

     Convention are violated shall have an effective remedy before a

     national authority notwithstanding that the violation has been

     committed by persons acting in an official capacity."

65.  The applicant submits that he has no effective remedy under Greek

law for the violation of his rights under Article 1 of Protocol No. 1

(P1-1), given the immunity from execution enjoyed by the TEE and the

case-law of the Greek courts to the effect that creditors are not

allowed to seize assets of their debtors which are deposited with

banks.

66.  The Government contend in essence that the applicant would have

recovered his fees if he had instituted ordinary civil proceedings for

breach of contract.

67.  The Commission, having noted that in this case there has been a

violation of Article 6 para. 1 (Art. 6-1), considers that no separate

issue arises under Article 13 (Art. 13) of the Convention.

     CONCLUSION

68.  The Commission concludes, unanimously, that in the present case

no separate issue arises under Article 13 (Art. 13) of the Convention.

F.   Recapitulation

69.  The Commission concludes, unanimously, that in the present case

there has been a violation of Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 (P1-1)

(para. 55).

70.   The Commission concludes, unanimously, that in the present case

there has been a violation of Article 6 para. 1 (Art. 6-1) of the

Convention (para. 63).

71.  The Commission concludes, unanimously, that in the present case

no separate issue arises under Article 13 (Art. 13) of the Convention

(para. 68).

          Secretary                        Acting President

     to the First Chamber               of the First Chamber

       (M.F. BUQUICCHIO)                         (J. LIDDY)

© European Union, https://eur-lex.europa.eu, 1998 - 2024
Active Products: EUCJ + ECHR Data Package + Citation Analytics • Documents in DB: 398107 • Paragraphs parsed: 43931842 • Citations processed 3409255