ECJ public procurement remedies Recent case law

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ECJ public procurement remedies Recent case law

• Peter Trepte
• Dubrovnik, 28 May 2009

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Some Novelties of the new Remedies Directive

• Introduction of standstill period
• Illegality of direct award
• Concept of contract invalidity

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Standstill Issues

• Case C-444/06 Commission v Spain simultaneous
  award and conclusion of contract (cf. Alcatel)
• Application in Case C-455/08 Commission v Ireland
  standstill period of 14 days debriefing period
  of 15 days.
• Application in Case C-327/08 Commission v France
  
• Reduction of time limit in cases of urgency
• Combination of standstill period with compulsory
  notification (and response) without suspensive
  effect

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Direct Award

• Cases C-337/05 and C-157/06 Commission v Italy
  direct purchase of helicopters for police and
  fire service
• Case C-371/05 Commission v Italy direct purchase
  to legally distinct entity

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Contract Invalidity

• Case C-503/04 Commission v Germany failure to
  implement judgment of the Court in Joined Cases
  C-20/01 and C-28/01
• Case C-444/06 Commission v Spain suspension of
  invalidity not unlawful if, temporarily, avoids
  disruption to public service

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Other Issues

• Case C-241/06 Lämmerzahl v Bremen cannot apply
  time limit which makes review ineffective
• knowledge of applicability (scope and quantity)
• cannot apply same time limit to later breaches
• Case C-492/06 San Raffaele v Elilombarda locus
  standi consortium members can bring actions
  individually

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Other Issues (cont.)

• Application in Case C-456/08 Commission v Ireland
  question of effectiveness of remedies in
  multiple stage procedures where preferred
  bidder is chosen before award and uncertainty
  over when time limit for bringing proceedings
  begins to run
• Cf. UK 3 month time limit from date on which
  grounds for brining proceedings arose