Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Comparative aspects of the application of the principle of State liability for judicial breaches

  • Article
  • Published:
ERA Forum Aims and scope

Abstract

This paper examines the principle of Member State liability for breaches of European Union law committed by a national court adjudicating at last instance as established in the ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union of September 2003 in the Case C-224/01 Gerhard Köbler v. Republic of Austria. It focuses on the assessment by the European Court of Justice in that case of the various approaches to Member State liability for judicial breaches under the national laws of the (then) fifteen European Union Member States. In an attempt to verify the Court’s conclusions, namely that the concept of State liability for judicial breaches constitutes a common principle that has been accepted in most European Union Member States, the paper presents a comparative overview of the prevailing national legal concepts in the area of State liability for judicial breaches.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Aalto, P.: Twelve years of Francovich in the Court of Justice of the European Union : a survey of the case-law on the interpretation of the three conditions of liability. In: Sousa, S.M.D., Heusel, W. (eds.) Enforcing Community Law from Francovich to Köbler: Twelve Years of the State Liability Principle. Bundesanzeiger Verlagsges.mbH, Köln (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Anagnostaras, G.: The principle of state liability for judicial breaches: The impact of European Community law. 7 European Public Law 2 (2001)

  3. Andresen, E.: The claim for elimination of unlawful consequences and the claim for compensation for damage under Estonian State Liability Law. 10 Juridica International (2005)

  4. Barav, A.: Damages against the state for failure to implement EC directives. New Law Journal (1991)

  5. Barav, A.: State liability in damages for breach of community law in the national courts. 16 Yearbook of European Law (1996)

  6. Bengtsson, B.: Det Allmännas Ansvar Enligt Skadeståndslagen, 2nd edn. Norstedts juridik, Stockholm (1996)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Breuer, M.: State liability for judicial wrongs and community law: the case of Gerhard Köbler v Austria. 29 European Law Review 2 (2004)

  8. Busnelli, F.D. et al.: Liability for damage caused by others under Italian law. In: Spier, J. (ed.) Unification of Tort Law: Liability for Damage Caused by Others. Kluwer Law International, The Hague/London/New York (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Classen, C.-D.: Case C-224/01, Gerhard Köbler v. Republik Österreich, Judgment of 30 September 2003, Full Court 41 CML Rev. 3 (2004)

  10. Craig, P., de Búrca, G.: EU Law: Text, Cases and Materials. Oxford University Press, Oxford (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Craig, P.: Once more unto the breach: the community, the state and damages liability. L.Q.R. 113 (Jan) (1997)

  12. Czaja, A.: Die außervertragliche Haftung der EG für ihre Organe. Nomos Verl.-Ges., Baden-Baden (1996)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Dossi, H.: Geltendmachung der EU-Staatshaftung in Österreich: die Praxis in einem System unvollständiger Rechtsgrundlagen. Ecolex (2000)

  14. Emiliou, N.: State liability under Community law: shedding more light on the Francovich principle? 21 ELR 5 (1996)

  15. Ewert, D.: Die Funktion der allgemeinen Rechtsgrundsätze im Schadensersatzrecht der Europäischen Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft. Lang, Frankfurt a.M./Bern/New York (1991)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Funk, B.-C.: Staatshaftung auf der Grundlage von Gemeinschaftsrecht: Ein umstrittener und folgenreicher Beitrag des EuGH zur Stärkung der Rechtsgemeinschaft. Ecolex 8 (1997)

  17. Geiger, J.: Der gemeinschaftsrechtliche Grundsatz der Staatshaftung. Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft, Baden-Baden (1997)

    Google Scholar 

  18. Graziadei, M., Mattei, U.: Judicial responsability in Italy: a new statute. Am. J. Comp. Law 38 (1990)

  19. Gundel, J.: Gemeinschaftsrechtliche Haftungsvorhaben für judikatives Unrecht—Konsequenzen für die Rechtskraft und das deutsche ‘Richterprivileg’ (§839 Abs. 2 BGB). EWS 1 (2004)

  20. Haentjens, M., du Perron, E.: Liability for damage caused by others under Dutch law. In: Spier, J. (ed.) Unification of Tort Law: Liability for Damage Caused by Others. Kluwer Law International, The Hague/London/New York (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  21. Harlow, C.: Francovich and the problem of the disobedient state. European Law Journal 2 (1996)

  22. Hilf, M.: Comparative law and European law. In: Bernhardt, R. (ed.) Encyclopaedia of Public International Law, vol. I. North-Holland, Amsterdam (1992)

    Google Scholar 

  23. Hofstötter, B.: Non-compliance of National Courts: Remedies in European Community Law and Beyond. TMC Asser, The Hague (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  24. Hogan, G., Kerr, T.: The law of Ireland. In: Bell, J., Bradley, A.W. (eds.) Governmental Liability: A Comparative Study. National Committee of Comparative Law, London (1991)

    Google Scholar 

  25. Jacobs, F.: Some remarks on community and Member State liability. In: Wouters, J. et al. (eds.) Principles of Proper Conduct for Supranational, State and Private Actors in the European Union: Towards a Ius Commune. Intersentia, Antwerpen (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  26. Jann, P.: Neuere Entwicklungen der Staatshaftung im Europäischen Gemeinschaftsrecht, Haftung für staatliches Handeln—Österreichische Richterwoche, 12.–16. Mai. Wien, Bundesministerium für Justiz, Wien (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  27. Jans, J.H.: State liability and infringements attributable to national courts: a Dutch perspective on the Köbler case. In: Zwaan, J.W.D., Jans, J.H. (eds.) The European Union an Ongoing Process of Integration. TMC Asser, The Hague (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  28. Kremer, C.: Staatshaftung für Verstöße gegen Gemeinschaftsrecht durch letztinstanzliche Gerichte. Neue Juristische Wochenschrift 8 (2004)

  29. Larouche, P.: The Brasserie du Pêcheur Puzzle. In: Wouters, J. et al. (eds.) Principles of Proper Conduct for Supranational, State and Private Actors in the European Union: Towards a Ius Commune. Intersentia, Antwerpen (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  30. Lenaerts, K.: Interlocking legal orders in the European Union and comparative law. 52 International and Comparative Law Quarterly (2003)

  31. Lenaerts, K.: Interlocking legal orders or the European Union variant of E Pluribus Unum. In: Canivet, G. et al. (eds.) Comparative Law before the Courts. The British Institute of International and Comparative Law, London (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  32. Lever, J.: Mutual permeation of community and national tort rules: essays in honour of Walter Van Gerven. In: Wouters, J. et al. (eds.) Principles of Proper Conduct for Supranational, State and Private Actors in the European Union: Towards a Ius Commune. Intersentia, Antwerpen (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  33. Meier, I.: Prozeßkosten und Amtshaftung. JBl 23/24 (1979)

  34. Mischo, J.: L’émergence du principe de la responsabilité de l’Etat. In: Moreira De Sousa, S., Heusel, W. (eds.) Enforcing Community Law from Francovich to Köbler: Twelve Years of the State Liability Principle. Bundesanzeiger Verlagsges.mbH, Köln (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  35. Much, W.: Die Haftung der Europäischen Gemeinschaften für das rechtswidrige Verhalten ihrer Organe. In: Mosler, H. (ed.) Liability of the State for Illegal Conduct of its Organs: National Reports and Comparative Studies—International Colloquium, Max-Planck Institut für ausländisches öffentliches Recht und Völkerrecht, Heidelberg (1964). Carl Heymanns Verlag KG, Köln (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  36. Muscat, H.: Le Droit Français de la Responsabilité Publique Face au Droit Européen. L’Harmattan, Paris (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  37. Olowofoyeku, A.: Suing Judges: A Study of Judicial Immunity. Clarendon Press, Oxford (1993)

    Google Scholar 

  38. Ossenbühl, F.: Staatshaftung zwischen Europarecht und nationalem Recht. In: Due, O. et al. (eds.) Festschrift für Ulrich Everling. Nomos, Baden-Baden (1995)

    Google Scholar 

  39. Ossenbühl, F.: Staatshaftungsrecht, 5th edn. C.H. Beck Verlag, Munich (1998)

    Google Scholar 

  40. Picardi, N., et al.: La responsabilità civile dello stato giudice: Commentario alla legge 13 aprile 1988 n. 117 in tema di riscarcimento dei danni cagionati nell’esercizio delle funzioni giudiziarie e responsabilità civile dei magistrati. Cedam, Padova (1990)

  41. Roppo, V.: Responsabilità dello Stato per fatto della giurisdizione e diritto europeo: una case story in attesa del finale. Riv. Dir. Priv. 2 (2006)

  42. Schockweiler, F., et al.: Le régime de la responsabilité extra-contractuelle du fait d’actes juridiques dans la Communauté européenne. Rev. Trimest. Droit Eur. 26, (1990)

  43. Schöndorf-Haubold, B.: Die Haftung der Mitgliedstaaten für die Verletzung von EG-Recht durch nationale Gerichte. JuS 2 (2006)

  44. Seyr, S.: Verfassungsgerichte und Verfassungsvergleichung. Der EuGH. J. Rechtspolit. 18, 230–239 (2010)

  45. Simon, D.: Consolidation de la responsabilité des États membres du fait des violations imputables aux juridictions nationales. Europe 8 (2006)

  46. Tomasowsky, D., Urtz, C.: Haftung bei Säumnis von Gerichten und Verwaltungsbehörden. In: Holoubek, M., Lang, M. (eds.) Organhaftung und Staatshaftung in Steuersachen. Linde Verlag, Wien (2002)

    Google Scholar 

  47. Toner, H.: Thinking the Unthinkable, State Liability for Judicial Acts after Factortame (III). 17 Yearbook of European Law (1997)

  48. Tridimas, T.: Liability for breach of community law: growing up and mellowing down. In: Fairgrieve, D. et al. (eds.) Tort Liability of Public Authorities in Comparative Perspective (2002)

    Google Scholar 

  49. Tridimas, T.: State liability for judicial acts: remedies unlimited. In: Demaret, P. et al. (eds.) 30 Years of European Legal Studies at the College of Europe, Liber Professorum 1973-74–2003-04. Peter Lang, Brussels (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  50. Tsatsos, D.: Haftung des Staates für rechtswidriges Verhalten seiner Organe, Griechenland. In: Mosler, H. (ed.) Haftung des Staates für rechtswidriges Verhalten seiner Organe: Länderberichte und Rechtsvergleichung; Internationales Kolloquium veranstaltet vom Max-Planck Institut für ausländisches öffentliches Recht und Völkerrecht, Heidelberg (1964). Carl Heymanns Verlag KG, Köln (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  51. Ulfbeck, V.: Modern tort law and direct claims. In: Wahlgren, P. (ed.) Scandinavian Studies in Law, vol. 41, Tort Law and Insurance (2001)

  52. Van Compernolle, J., Rigaux, F.: La responsabilité de l’État pour les fautes commises par les magistrats dans léxercise de leurs fonctions: Note sur De Keyser et crts c. Etat belge, Cour de Cassation, 1re chambre, 19 décembre 1991 Revue Critique de Jurisprudence Belge (1993)

  53. Van Dam, C.: European Tort Law. Oxford University Press, Oxford (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  54. Van Gerven, W.: Non-contractual liability of Member States, community institutions and individuals for breaches of community law with a view to a common law for Europe. Maastricht J. Eur. Comp. Law 1 (1994)

  55. Van Gerven, W.: The emergence of a common European tort law: The EU contribution—one among others. In: Moreira De Sousa, S., Heusel, W. (eds.) Enforcing Community Law from Francovich to Köbler: Twelve Years of the State Liability Principle. Bundesanzeiger, Köln (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  56. Vandersanden, G.: Le droit communautaire. In: Vandersanden, G., Dony, M. (eds.) La Responsabilité des États Membres en cas de Violation du Droit Communautaire: Études de Droit Communautaire et de Droit National Comparé. Bruylant, Brussels (1997)

    Google Scholar 

  57. Wattel, P.: Köbler, Cilfit and Welthgrove: We can’t go on meeting like this. CML Rev. 41 (2004)

  58. Wegener, B.: Staatshaftung für die Verletzung von Gemeinschaftsrecht durch nationale Gerichte? EuR 6 (2002)

  59. Welser, R.: Öffentlichrechtliches und Privatrechtliches aus Anlaß einer Amtshaftungsklage. JBl (1975)

  60. Wurmnest, W.: Grundzüge eines Europäischen Haftungsrechts. Mohr Siebeck, Tübingen (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  61. Zweigert, K.: Der Einfluß des Europäischen Gemeinschaftsrechts auf die Rechtsordnungen der Mitgliedstaaten. Rabels Z. Ausl. Int. Privatr. 28 (1964)

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law, Heidelberg, Germany

    Kathrin Maria Scherr

Authors
  1. Kathrin Maria Scherr
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kathrin Maria Scherr.

Additional information

This article is based on a contribution given at the conference State Liability 20 years after Francovich, organised by ERA on 1–2 December 2011 in Trier. The opinions expressed are personal to the author.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Scherr, K.M. Comparative aspects of the application of the principle of State liability for judicial breaches. ERA Forum 12, 565–588 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12027-011-0242-8

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12027-011-0242-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation