Resolution ResDH(2001)24 concerning the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights of 7 December 1999 (final on 7 March 2000) in the case of Bouilly against France

(Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 26 February 2001 at the 741 st meeting of the Ministers' Deputies)

The Committee of Ministers, under the terms of Article 46, paragraph 2, of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, as amended by Protocol No. 11 (hereinafter referred to as “the Convention”),

Having regard to the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the Bouilly case delivered on 7 December 1999 and transmitted to the Committee of Ministers once it had become final under Articles 44 and 46 of the Convention;

Recalling that the case originated in an application (No. 38952/97) against France, lodged with the European Commission of Human Rights on 12 September 1997 under former Article 25 of the Convention by Ms Elisabeth Bouilly, a French national, and that the Court, seized of the case under Article 5, paragraph 2, of Protocol No. 11, declared admissible the complaint concerning the excessive length of certain proceedings concerning civil rights and obligations before the administrative courts;

Whereas in its judgment of 7 December 1999 the Court unanimously:

- held that there had been a violation of Article 6, paragraph 1, of the Convention;

- held that it was not necessary to examine the complaint under Article 13 of the Convention;

- held that the respondent State was to pay the applicant, within three months from the date at which the judgment become final, 30 000 French francs in respect of non-pecuniary damage, 15 000 French francs in respect of costs and expenses and that simple interest at an annual rate of 3,47% would be payable on those sums from the expiry of the above-mentioned three months until settlement;

- dismissed the remainder of the applicant's claim for just satisfaction;

Having regard to the Rules adopted by the Committee of Ministers concerning the application of Article 46, paragraph 2, of the Convention;

Having invited the Government of the respondent State to inform it of the measures which had been taken in consequence of the judgment of 7 December 1999, having regard to France's obligation under Article 46, paragraph 1, of the Convention to abide by it;

Whereas during the examination of the case by the Committee of Ministers, the Government of the respondent State indicated that the Court's judgment had been sent out to the authorities directly concerned, in particular to the administrative court of Orléans;

Having satisfied itself that on 3 February 2000, within the time-limit set, the Government of the respondent State paid the applicant the sums provided for in the judgment of 7 December 1999,

Declares, after having taken note of the information supplied by the Government of France, that it has exercised its functions under Article 46, paragraph 2, of the Convention in this case.