Press and Information Division


PRESS RELEASE No 78/02

30 September 2002

Judgment of the Court of First Instance in Case T-211/02

Tideland Signal / Commission

COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE APPLIES “FAST TRACK” PROCEDURE

Using this procedure a judgment in an urgent case is given within 11 weeks

On 1 February 2001, the Court of First Instance's Rules of Procedure were amended to allow it to use a special accelerated procedure, also known as the “fast track” procedure. Under that procedure, particularly urgent cases may be dealt with immediately whereas they would normally be held up until earlier cases had been heard. Given the Court's limited resources, that procedure can only be used in cases where there is a genuine and pressing need for the Court to come to a decision speedily.

The Court decided to apply the accelerated procedure in Case T-211/02. The applicant sought the annulment of a Commission decision to reject the tender it had submitted in respect of an aid project, under the EU's TACIS programme, to supply navigation equipment to ports on the Caspian Sea. It asked the Court to apply the accelerated procedure and also to adopt interim measures immediately, claiming that these steps were necessary in order to protect its interests.

The President of the Court of First Instance issued an order suspending the tendering procedure in question the very next day after the application was lodged, 16 July 2002. As the “fast track” procedure was applied and the case was a relatively straightforward one, the Court then heard the parties and came to a final judgment within 11 weeks. The application was lodged on 15 July 2002 and the Court decided to apply the accelerated procedure on 1 August 2002. On 17 September 2002, the case was heard and judgment was given on Friday, 27 September 2002.


Unofficial document for media use only; not binding on the Court of First Instance.
Available in English.

For the full text of the judgment, please consult our Internet page
www.curia.eu.int  at approximately 3pm today.

For further information please contact Mr Reinier Van Winden:
Tel: (00 352) 4303 3355; Fax: (00 352) 4303 2731