Jurisdiction of Courts and Enforcement of Judgments Act, 1998.

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Text of the 1971 Protocol as amended by the 1978 Accession Convention, the 1982 Accession Convention, the 1989 Accession Convention and the 1996 Accession Convention1

PROTOCOL

on the interpretation by the Court of Justice of the Convention of 27 September 1968 on jurisdiction and the enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters

Article 1

The Court of Justice of the European Communities shall have jurisdiction to give rulings on the interpretation of the Convention on jurisdiction and the enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters and of the Protocol annexed to that Convention, signed at Brussels on 27 September 1968, and also on the interpretation of the present Protocol.

The Court of Justice of the European Communities shall also have jurisdiction to give rulings on the interpretation of the Convention on the accession of the Kingdom of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Convention of 27 September 1968 and to this Protocol.

The Court of Justice of the European Communities shall also have jurisdiction to give rulings on the interpretation of the Convention on the accession of the Hellenic Republic to the Convention of 27 September 1968 and to this Protocol, as adjusted by the 1978 Convention.

The Court of Justice of the European Communities shall also have jurisdiction to give rulings on the interpretation of the Convention on the accession of the Kingdom of Spain and the Portuguese Republic to the Convention of 27 September 1968 and to this Protocol, as adjusted by the 1978 Convention and the 1982 Convention.

The Court of Justice of the European Communities shall also have jurisdiction to give rulings on the interpretation of the Convention on the accession of the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Sweden to the Convention of 27 September 1968 and to this Protocol, as adjusted by the 1978 Convention, the 1982 Convention and the 1989 Convention.

Article 2

The following courts may request the Court of Justice to give preliminary rulings on questions of interpretation:

1.—in Belgium: la Cour de Cassation — het Hof van Cassatie and le Conseil d'Etat — de Raad van State,

—in Denmark: højesteret,

—in the Federal Republic of Germany: die obersten Gerichtshöfe des Bundes,

—in Greece: the ανώτατα δικαστήαια,

—in Spain: el Tribunal Supremo,

—in France: la Cour de Cassation and le Conseil d'État,

— in Ireland: the Supreme Court,

—in Italy: la Corte Suprema di Cassazione,

—in Luxembourg: la Cour supérieure de Justice when sitting as Cour de Cassation,

—in Austria, the Oberste Gerichtshof, the Verwaltungsgerichtshof and the Verfassungsgerichtshof,

—in the Netherlands: de Hoge Raad,

—in Portugal: o Supremo Tribunal de Justiça and o Supremo Tribunal Administrativo,

—in Finland, korkein oikeus/högsta domstolen and korkein hallintooikeus/högsta förvaltningsdomstolen,

—in Sweden, Högsta domstolen, Regeringsrätten, Arbetsdomstolen and Marknadsdomstolen,

—in the United Kingdom: the House of Lords and courts to which appliction has been made under the second paragraph of Article 37 or under Article 41 of the Convention;

2. the courts of the Contracting States when they are sitting in an appellate capacity;

3. in the cases provided for in Article 37 of the Convention, the courts referred to in that Article.

Article 3

1. Where a question of interpretation of the Convention or of one of the other instruments referred to in Article 1 is raised in a case pending before one of the courts listed in Article 2.1, that court shall, if it considers that a decision on the question is necessary to enable it to give judgment, request the Court of Justice to give a ruling thereon.

2. Where such a question is raised before any court referred to in Article 2.2 or 2.3, that court may, under the conditions laid down in paragraph 1, request the Court of Justice to give a ruling thereon.

Article 4

1. The competent authority of a Contracting State may request the Court of Justice to give a ruling on a question of interpretation of the Convention or of one of the other instruments referred to in Article 1 if judgments given by courts of that State conflict with the interpretation given either by the Court of Justice or in a judgment of one of the courts of another Contracting State referred to in Article 2.1 or 2.2. The provisions of this paragraph shall apply only to judgments which have become res judicata.

2. The interpretation given by the Court of Justice in response to such a request shall not affect the judgments which gave rise to the request for interpretation.

3. The Procurators-General of the Courts of Cassation of the Contracting States, or any other authority designated by a Contracting State, shall be entitled to request the Court of Justice for a ruling on interpretation in accordance with paragraph 1.

4. The Registrar of the Court of Justice shall give notice of the request to the Contracting States, to the Commission and to the Council of the European Communities; they shall then be entitled within two months of the notification to submit statements of case or written observations to the Court.

5. No fees shall be levied or any costs or expenses awarded in respect of the proceedings provided for in this Article.

Article 5

1. Except where this Protocol otherwise provides, the provisions of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community and those of the Protocol on the Statute of the Court of Justice annexed thereto, which are applicable when the Court is requested to give a preliminary ruling, shall also apply to any proceedings for the interpretation of the Convention and the other instruments referred to in Article 1.

2. The Rules of Procedure of the Court of Justice shall, if necessary, be adjusted and supplemented in accordance with Article 188 of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community.

Article 6

[deleted]

Article 7

This Protocol shall be ratified by the signatory States. The instruments of ratification shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the Council of the European Communities.

Article 8

This Protocol shall enter into force on the first day of the third month following the deposit of the instrument of ratification by the last signatory State to take this step; provided that it shall at the earliest enter into force at the same time as the Convention of 27 September 1968 on jurisdiction and the enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters.

Article 9

The Contracting States recognize that any State which becomes a member of the European Economic Community, and to which Article 63 of the Convention on jurisdiction and the enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters applies, must accept the provisions of this Protocol, subject to such adjustments as may be required.

Article 10

The Secretary-General of the Council of the European Communities shall notify the signatory States of:

(a) the deposit of each instrument of ratification;

(b) the date of entry into force of this Protocol;

(c) any designation received pursuant to Article 4 (3);

(d) [deleted]

Article 11

The Contracting States shall communicate to the Secretary-General of the Council of the European Communities the texts of any provisions of their laws which necessitate an amendment to the list of courts in Article 2.1.

Article 12

This Protocol is concluded for an unlimited period.

Article 13

Any Contracting State may request the revision of this Protocol. In this event, a revision conference shall be convened by the President of the Council of the European Communities.

Article 14

This Protocol, drawn up in a single original in the Dutch, French, German and Italian languages, all four texts being equally authentic, shall be deposited in the archives of the Secretariat of the Council of the European Communities. The Secretary-General shall transmit a certified copy to the Government of each signatory State

(Signatures of the plenipotentiaries)

Text in the Irish language of the 1971 Protocol as amended by the 1978 Accession Convention, the 1982 Accession Convention, the 1989 Accession Convention and the 1996 Accession Convention1

PRÓTACAL

ar léiriú ag an gCúirt Bhreithiúnais ar Choinbhinsiún an 27 Meán Fómhair 1968 ar dhlínse agus ar fhorghníomhú breithiúnas in ábhair shibhialta agus tráchtála

Airteagal 1

Beidh dlínse ag Cúirt Bhreithiúnais na gComhphobal Eorpach chun rialú a thabhairt i dtaobh léiriú an Choinbhinsiúin ar dhlínse agus ar fhorghníomhú breithiúnas in ábhair shibhialta agus tráchtála agus an Phrótacail atá i gceangal leis an gCoinbhinsiúin sin, a síníodh sa Bhruiséil ar an 27 Meán Fómhair 1968, agus fós i dtaobh léiriú an Phrótacail seo.

Beidh dlínse freisin ag Cúirt Bhreithiúnais na gComhphobal Eorpach chun rialú a thabhairt i dtaobh léiriú an Choinbhinsiúin ar aontú Ríocht na Danmhairge, na héireann agus Ríocht Aontaithe na Breataine Móire agus Thuaisceart éireann do Choinbhinsiún an 27 Meán Fómhair 1968 agus don Phrótacal seo.

Beidh dlínse freisin ag Cúirt Bhreithiúnais na gComhphobal Eorpach chun rialú a thabhairt i dtaobh léiriú an Choinbhinsiúin ar aontú na Poblachta Heilléanaí do Choinbhinsiún an 27 Meán Fómhair 1968 agus don Phrótacal seo, arna n-oiriúnú le Coinbhinsiún 1978.

Beidh dlínse freisin ag Cúirt Bhreithiúnais na gComhphobal Eorpach chun rialú a thabhairt i dtaobh léiriú an Choinbhinsiúin ar aontú Ríocht na Spáinne agus Phoblacht na Portaingéile do Choinbhinsiún an 27 Meán Fómhair 1968 agus don Phrótacal seo, arna n-oiriúnú le Coinbhinsiún 1978 agus Coinbhinsiún 1982.

Beidh dlínse freisin ag Cúirt Bhreithiúnais na gComhphobal Eorpach chun rialú a thabhairt i dtaobh léiriú an Choinbhinsiúin ar aontú Phoblacht na hOstaire, Phoblacht na Fionlainne agus Ríocht na Sualainne do Choinbhinsiún an 27 Meán Fómhair 1968 agus don Phrótacal seo, mar atá arna n-oiriúnú le Coinbhinsiúin 1978, 1982 agus 1989.

Airteagal 2

Féadfaidh na cúirteanna seo a leanas a iarraidh ar an gCúirt Bhreithiúnais réamhrialú a thabhairt ar cheisteanna léiriúcháin:

1.— sa Bheilg: la Cour de Cassation — het Hof van Cassatie agus le Conseil d'état — de Raad van State,

—sa Danmhairg: højesteret,

—i bPoblacht Chónaidhme na Gearmáine: die obersten Gerichtshöfe des Bundes,

—sa Ghréig: τα ανώτατα δικαστήαια,

—sa Spáinn: el Tribunal Supremo,

—sa Fhrainc: la Cour de Cassation agus le Conseil d'état,

—in Éirinn: an Chúirt Uachtarach,

—san Iodáil: la Corte Suprema de Cassazione,

—i Lucsamburg: la Cour supérieure de justice ina suí di mar Cour de Cassation,

—san Ostair: an Oberste Gerichtshof, an Verwaltungsgerichtshof agus an Verfassungsgerichtshof,

—san ísiltír: de Hoge Raad,

—sa Phortaingéil: o Supremo Tribunal de Justiça agus o Supremo Tribunal Administrativo,

—san Fhionlainn: korkein oikeus/högsta domstolen agus korkein hallintooikeus/högsta förvaltningsdomstolen,

—sa tSualainn, Högsta domstolen, Regeringsrätten, Arbetsdomstolen agus Marknadsdomstolen,

—sa Ríocht Aontaithe: an House of Lords agus cúirteanna a ndearnadh iarratas chucu faoin dara mír d'Airteagal 37 nó faoi Airteagal 41 den Choinbhinsiún,

2. cúirteanna na Stát Conarthach ina suí dóibh i gcáil achomharcach;

3. sna cásanna dá bhforáiltear in Airteagal 37 den Choinbhinsiún, na cúirteanna a luaitear san Airteagal sin.

Airteagal 3

1. Nuair a dhéanfar ceist i dtaobh léiriú an Choinbhinsiúin nó ionstraime eile a luaitear in Airteagal 1 a tharraingt anuas i gcás a bheidh ar feitheamh os comhair cúirte dá dtagraítear in Airteagal 2(1), iarrfaidh an chúirt sin ar an gCúirt Bhreithiúnais, má mheasann sí gur gá breith ar an gceist ionas go bhféadfaidh sí breithiúnas a thabhairt, rialú a thabhairt ar an gceist sin.

2. Má tharraingítear ceist mar sin anuas os comhair aon chúirte dá dtagraítear in Airteagal 2(2) nó (3), féadfaidh an chúirt sin, ar na coinníollacha atá leagtha síos i mír 1, a iarraidh ar an gCúirt Bhreithiúnais rialú a thabhairt uirthi.

Airteagal 4

1. Féadfaidh údarás inniúil Stáit Chonarthaig a iarraidh ar an gCúirt Bhreithiúnais rialú a thabhairt ar cheist i dtaob léiriú an Choinbhinsiúin nó i dtaobh léiriú ceann de na hionstraimí eile a luaitear in Airteagal 1 má bhíonn breithiúnais ó chúirteanna sa Stát sin ar neamhréir leis an léiriú a thug an Chúirt Bhreithiúnais nó a tugadh i mbreithiúnas ó chúirt de chuid Stáit Chonarthaigh eile a luaitear in Airteagal 2(1) nó (2). Ní bhainfidh forálacha na míre seo ach le breithiúnais a bhfuil éifeacht res judicata leo.

2. Ní dhéanfaidh an léiriú a dhéanfaidh an Chúirt Bhreithiúnais de bhun iarratais den sórt sin difear do na breithiúnais be bhun leis an léiriú sin a iarraidh.

3. Beidh Ionchúisitheoirí Ginearálta na gCúirteanna Uachtaracha Achomhairc sna Stáit Chonarthacha, nó údarás ar bith eile a bheidh ainmnithe chuige sin ag Stát Conarthach, i dteideal rialú ar an léiriú a iarraidh ar an gCúirt Bhreithiúnais de réir mhír 1.

4. Tabharfaidh Cláraitheoir na Cúirte Breithiúnais fógra faoin iaratas do na Stáit Chonarthacha, don Choimisiún agus do Chomhairle na gComhphobal Eorpach; beidh siadsan i dteideal ansin, laistigh de dhá mhí tar éis an fógra a fháil, sonruithe cáis nó tuairimí i scríbhinn a chur faoi bhráid na Cúirte.

5. Ní fhéadfar aon táillí a thobhach ná aon chostais nó caiteachas a dhámhachtain i leith na n-imeachtaí dá bhforáiltear san Airteagal seo.

Airteagal 5

1. Na forálacha sin den Chonradh ag bunú Chomhphobal Eacnamaíochta na hEoropa, agus na cinn sin den Phrótacal ar Reacht na Cúirte Breithiúnais atá i gceangal leis, is infheidhme nuair a iarrtar ar an gCúirt réamhrialú a thabhairt, beidh feidhm acu mar an gcéanna, ach amháin mura bhforáiltear a mhalairt leis an bPrótacal seo, ar an nós imeachta maidir le léiriú an Choinbhinsiúin agus na n-ionstraimí eile a luaitear in Airteagal 1.

2. Déanfar, más gá, Rialacha Nós Imeachta na Cúirte Breithiúnais a oiriúnú agus a chomhlánú de réir Airteagal 188 den Chonradh ag bunú Chomhphobal Eacnamaíochta na hEorpa.

Airteagal 6

[scriosta]

Airteagal 7

Déanfaidh Stáit a shínithe daingniú ar an bPrótacal seo. Taiscfear na hionstraimí daingniúcháin le hArdrúnaí Chomhairle na gComhphobal Eorpach.

Airteagal 8

Tiocfaidh an Prótacal seo i bhfeidhm ar an gcéad lá den tríú mí i ndiaidh thaisceadh na hionstraime daingniúcháin ag an gceann is déanaí de Stáit a shínithe a dhéanfaidh an taisceadh sin; ach ní thiocfaidh sé i bhfeidhm tráth is luaithe ná teacht i bhfeidhm Choinbhinsiún an 27 Meán Fómhair 1968 ar dhlínse agus ar fhorghníomhú breithiúnas in ábhair shibhialta agus tráchtála.

Airteagal 9

Aithníonn na Stáit Chonarthacha go ndlífidh gach Stát a thiocfaidh chun bheith ina chomhalta de Chomhphobal Eacnamaíochta na hEorpa, agus a mbainfidh Airteagal 63 den Choinbhinsiún ar dhlínse agus ar fhorghníomhú breithiúnas in ábhair shibhialta agus tráchtála leis, glacadh le forálacha an Phrótacail seo, faoi réir cibé oiriúnuithe is gá.

Airteagal 10

Cuirfidh Ardrúnaí Chomhairle na gComhphobal Eorpach in iúl do na Stát a shíneoidh an Prótacal seo:

(a) taisceadh gach ionstraime daingniúcháin;

(b) dáta an Phrótacail seo a theacht i bhfeidhm;

(c) aon dearbhú a fuarthas de bhun Airteagal 4(3);

(d) [scriosta].

Airteagal 11

Cuirfidh na Stáit Chonarthacha in iúl d'Ardrúnaí Chomhairle na gComhpobal Eorpach téacsanna aon fhorálacha ina ndlíthe a bheireann gur gá liosta na gcúirteanna in Airteagal 2(1) a leasú.

Airteagal 12

Tá an Prótacal seo tugtha i gcrích go ceann tréimhse gan teorainn.

Airteagal 13

Féadfaidh Stát Conarthach ar bith athbhreithniú ar an bPrótacal seo a iarraidh. Sa chás sin, comórfaidh Uachtarán Chomhairle na gComhphobal Eorpach comhdháil lena athbhreithniú.

Airteagal 14

Tarraingíodh an Prótacal seo suas i scríbhinn bhunaidh amháin sa Fhraincis, sa Ghearmáinis, san Iodáilis agus san Ollainnis, agus comhúdarás ag gach ceann de na ceithre théacs; taiscfear é i gcartlann Rúnaíocht Chomhairle na gComhphobal Eorpach, agus cuirfidh an tArdrúnaí cóip dheimhnithe chuig Rialtas gach ceann de Stáit a shínithe.

¹OJ No. C 27 of 26.1.1998, p.24.

¹IO Uimh. C27 an 26.1.1998, lch.28.