On 28 March 2001, the Court of First Instance of Charleroi, Belgium delivered a ruling in which it stated that as the parties have reached a settlement, the preliminary reference is no longer required.
Consequently, as the reference has been withdrawn, the hearing of the opinion of Advocate General Stix-Hackl, which was due to take place on 29 March 2001, has been cancelled.
This press release is an unofficial document for media use which does not bind the Court of Justice.
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