Summary

No sufficiently compelling reason justifying retrospective application of a law determining the substance of pensions disputes in pending proceedings. The ECJ’s press release is available here.

Ruling

The Court, unanimously:

• Dismisses the Government’s objection that the applicant did not suffer a significant disadvantage;
• Joins to the merits the Government’s objection that the application is manifestly ill-founded and dismisses it;
• Declares the application admissible;
• Holds that there has been a violation of Article 6 § 1 of the Convention;
• Holds
  • (a)  that the respondent State is to pay the applicant, within three months from the date on which the judgment becomes final in accordance with Article 44 § 2 of the Convention, the following amounts at the rate applicable at the date of settlement:
    • (i)  EUR 9,700 (nine thousand seven hundred euros), plus any tax that may be chargeable, in respect of pecuniary damage;
    • (ii)  EUR 6,000 (six thousand euros), plus any tax that may be chargeable, in respect of non-pecuniary damage;
  • (b)  that from the expiry of the above-mentioned three months until settlement simple interest shall be payable on the above amounts at a rate equal to the marginal lending rate of the European Central Bank during the default period plus three percentage points;
• Dismisses the remainder of the applicant’s claim for just satisfaction.
• Done in English, and notified in writing on 17 February 2022, pursuant to Rule 77 §§ 2 and 3 of the Rules of Court.