Information Note on the Court’s case-law 8

July 1999

Morel v. France (dec.) - 34130/96

Decision 6.7.1999 [Section III]

Article 6

Civil proceedings

Article 6-1

Fair hearing

Non-communication of judge commissaire’s report to the parties: admissible

Impartial tribunal

Intervention of judge commissaire in both bankruptcy reorganisation and liquidation proceedings: admissible

The applicant lodged a notice with the co mmercial court that construction companies of which he was the head were unable to pay their debts. Judicial reorganisation proceedings were consequently commenced and an insolvency judge, judicial administrator and creditors' representative were assigned to the case by the commercial court. The court ordered a six-month period of observation to allow the administrator to draw up a report on the companies’ finances and workforce and to make proposals as to whether or not they should continue to trade; the o bservation period was extended twice. The insolvency judge made a number of orders during that period regarding management of the business. In the light of the report prepared by the insolvency judge and the judicial administrator, the court made orders fo r the liquidation of the companies. The insolvency judge remained in office and was appointed president of the court chamber dealing with the liquidation. After an unsuccessful appeal, the applicant lodged a further appeal, on points of law. The Court of C assation held that the fact that the insolvency judge had been one of the three judges that had delivered judgment was consistent with the relevant domestic law and did not contravene Article 6 of the Convention. The applicant had further argued that the i nsolvency judge's report had not been served on him. The Court of Cassation dismissed that ground of appeal, too, holding that the report could and had been presented orally and that there had therefore been no violation of Article 6. The applicant was sub sequently unable to obtain a copy of that report which was deemed “secret, being part of the deliberations”.

Admissible under Article 6 § 1 (impartial tribunal, fair hearing).

© Council of Europe/European Court of Human Rights This summary by the Registry does not bind the Court.

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