i.t.c. Ltd v. Malta

7/21/2019 i.t.c. Ltd v. Malta

1/12

CONSEILDE LEUROPE COUNCILOF EUROPE

COUR EUROPENNE DES DROITS DE LHOMMEEUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS

FOURTH SECTION

DECISION

AS TO THE ADMISSIBILITY OF

Application no. !"#$!%& I.T.C. LTDa'ain(t Malta

T)* E+,op*an Co+,t o- H+an Ri')t( /Fo+,t) S*ction01 (ittin' on22 D*c*%*, $$3 a( a C)a%*, copo(*4 o-5

Si, Nicola( BRAT6A1President1M, 7. CASADE8ALL1M, G. BONELLO1

M, 9. TRA7A1M, S. PA8LO8SCHI1M, L. GARLIC9I1M( L. MI7O8I:1judges1

an4 M, T.L. EARLY1 Section Registrar1Ha;in' ,*'a,4 to t)* a%o;* application lo4'*4 on 2 7an+a,& $$!1Ha;in' ,*'a,4 to t)* 4*ci(ion to appl& A,ticl* " < = o- t)* Con;*ntion

an4 *>ain* t)* a4i((i%ilit& an4 *,it( o- t)* ca(* to'*t)*,.Ha;in' ,*'a,4 to t)* o%(*,;ation( (+%itt*4 %& t)* ,*(pon4*nt

Go;*,n*nt an4 t)* o%(*,;ation( in ,*pl& (+%itt*4 %& t)* applicant1Ha;in' 4*li%*,at*41 4*ci4*( a( -ollo?(5


2/12

I.T.C. LTD ;. MALTA DECISION

THE FACTS

T)* ca(* o,i'inat*4 in an application /no. !"#$!0 a'ain(t t)* R*p+%lico- Malta lo4'*4 ?it) t)* Co+,t +n4*, A,ticl* =@ o- t)* Con;*ntion -o, t)*P,ot*ction o- H+an Ri')t( an4 F+n4a*ntal F,**4o( /t)* Con;*ntion0

%& a Malt*(* copan&1 Int*,national T,a4in' Co,po,ation Liit*4 /t)*applicant copan&01 on =2 Octo%*, $$!. T)* applicant copan& ?a(,*p,*(*nt*4 %& M, I. R*-alo an4 M, M. R*-alo1 la?&*,( p,acti(in' in8all*tta1 Malta. T)* Malt*(* Go;*,n*nt /t)* Go;*,n*nt0 ?*,*,*p,*(*nt*4 %& t)*i, A'*nt1 M, S. Caill*,i1 Atto,n*& G*n*,al.

A. The circumstances of the case

T)* -act( o- t)* ca(*1 a( (+%itt*4 %& t)* pa,ti*(1 a& %* (+a,i(*4 a(-ollo?(.

1. Background of the case

On D*c*%*, $$= t)* Mini(t,& -o, Yo+t) an4 t)* A,t( i((+*4 a call-o, t*n4*,( -o, t)* 4*(i'n1 o,'ani(ation an4 ana'**nt o- a +alit&national *;*nt1 on t)* occa(ion o- t)* c*l*%,ation o- Malta( acc*((ion to t)*

E+,op*an Union.T)* 4*a4lin* -o, (+%ittin' %i4( ?a( 7an+a,& [email protected]),** pa,ticipant( /t)* applicant copan&1 *lco*+,op* Con(o,ti+

an4 S&n*,'i> Liit*40 pai4 t)* ,*l*;ant -**( an4 '+a,ant**( an4 (+%itt*4t)*i, %i4(.

On =F*%,+a,& $$@ t)* t*n4*, ?a( a?a,4*4 %& t)* A4+4ication Boa,4to *lco*+,op* Con(o,ti+.

2. Proceedings before the Public Contracts Appeals Board

On F*%,+a,& $$@ t)* applicant copan& o%*ct*4 to t)i( 4*ci(ion. On2" F*%,+a,& $$@ a )*a,in' too plac* %*-o,* t)* P+%lic Cont,act( App*al(

Boa,4 /t)* PCAB0.T)* applicant copan& all*'*4 t)at t)* %i4 a4* %& *lco*+,op* )a4

not *t t)* -o,al ,*+i,**nt( o- t)* t*n4*,. In pa,tic+la,1 it( copon*nt()a4 %**n p,*(*nt*4 coll*cti;*l& an4 not in4i;i4+all& an4 it )a4 not %**n(+%itt*4 in an it*i(*4 -o,at. Mo,*o;*,1 t)* %i4 in +*(tion )a4 %**n

%a(*4 on inco,,*ct an4 i(l*a4in' in-o,ation. It )a4 a4* ,*-*,*nc* tola(*, cannon( ?)ic)1 acco,4in' to t)* applicant1 4i4 not *>i(t1 an4 to a T8t,an(i((ion 4*al ?it) t)* E+,op*an B,oa4ca(tin' Union /t)* EBU01?)ic) ?a( not 4*p*n4*nt on t)* in;ol;**nt o- *lco*+,op*. In t)*applicant( ;i*?1 a( t)* EBU ?o+l4 )a;* %,oa4ca(t all t)* ao, ()o?(


3/12

I.T.C. LTD ;. MALTA DECISION =

-,o t)* t*n acc*4in' co+nt,i*(1 t)i( att*, ()o+l4 not )a;* %**n ta*n intocon(i4*,ation 4+,in' a4+4ication. T)* applicant copan& -+,t)*, (tat*4 t)at

it( %i4 ?a( %*tt*, ;al+* -o, on*&.*lco*+,op* c)all*n'*4 t)* applicant copan&( a,'+*nt(. It

cont*n4*4 t)at cannon li')t( ?o+l4 %* +(*4 in t)* ()o?. F+,t)*,o,*1 t)*EBU )a4 in-o,*4 t)* t)at1 4+* to t)* p,*(*nc* o- an a,ti(t ?)o )a4(i'n*4 a cont,act ?it) *lco*+,op* -o, t)* *>cl+(i;* ,i')t to +(* )i((*,;ic*(1 Malta ?o+l4 )a;* %**n allott*4 a lon'*, t,an(i((ion p*,io4.

R*p,*(*ntati;*( -,o t)* A4+4ication Boa,4 'a;* o,al *;i4*nc*1 (tatin't)at %ot) %i4( )a4 (ati(-i*4 t)* -o,al ,*+i,**nt( o- t)* t*n4*, an4 t)att)* -inal c)oic* in -a;o+, o- *lco*+,op* )a4 %**n %a(*4 on t)* p,ic* an4on t)* (ati(-acto,& (tan4a,4 ,*ac)*4.

T)* applicant copan& ,*+*(t*4 t)* p,o4+ction o- a n+%*, o-

4oc+*nt(1 na*l& t)* A4+4ication Boa,4( ,*po,t1 in+t*( o- **tin'(,*'a,4in' t)* %i4(1 l*tt*,( -,o *lco*+,op* ,*latin' to T8 co;*,a'*1*lco*+,op*( 4*tail*4 li(t o- *+ip*nt an4 it( c*,ti-icat* o- in(+,anc*co;*,. It all*'*4 t)at t)*(* 4oc+*nt( ?*,* in4i(p*n(a%l* -o, allo?in' it to(+%(tantiat* it( o%*ction(.

*lco*+,op* o%*ct*4 to t)i( ,*+*(t1 notin' t)at (o* o- t)*4oc+*nt( contain*4 co*,cial in-o,ation o- a )i')l& con-i4*ntialnat+,*.

T)* PCAB o%(*,;*4 t)at it co+l4 a+t)o,i(* t)* p,o4+ction o- 4oc+*nt(onl& in (o -a, a( t)*& ?*,* ,*l*;ant to t)* o%*ction( ,ai(*4 an4 (t,ictl&n*c*((a,& -o, 'i;in' a ,+lin' on t)*i, *,it(. A( a con(*+*nc*1 onl& a (all*>t,act -,o t)* A4+4ication Boa,4( ,*po,t ?a( p,o4+c*4. T)* c)ai,ano- t)* A4+4ication Boa,4 )a4 in -act not*4 t)at ot)*, pa,t( o- t)* ,*po,ti')t )a;* contain*4 co*,cial an4 ot)*, in-o,ation o- a con-i4*ntialnat+,*.

In a 4*ci(ion o- 3 F*%,+a,& $$@1 t)* PCAB ,**ct*4 t)* applicantcopan&( clai. It )*l4 t)at t)* in;ali4it& o- *lco*+,op*( %i4 )a4 not

%**n p,o;*4 an4 t)at t)*,* )a4 %**n no ,*a(on to 4o+%t t)* *t)o4 +(*4 %&t)* A4+4ication Boa,4 to a((*(( t)* %i4(1 ?)ic) )a4 %**n %a(*4 on ano;*,all a((*((*nt an4 )a4 not %**n 4*p*n4*nt on t)* ao+nt o, t&p* o-la(*,( +(*4.

3. Proceedings before the Civil Court

On @ F*%,+a,& $$@ t)* applicant copan& lo4'*4 an application ?it)t)* Ci;il Co+,t /Fi,(t Hall0 in it( con(tit+tional +,i(4iction. It all*'*4 t)att)* ,**ction o- it( ,*+*(t -o, t)* p,o4+ction o- 4oc+*nt( )a4 in-,in'*4 it(,i')t to a -ai, )*a,in'.

B& a +4'*nt o- 2! D*c*%*, $$@1 t)* Ci;il Co+,t 4i(i((*4 t)*applicant copan&( clai on t)* ',o+n4 t)at A,ticl* ! o- t)* Con;*ntion?a( not applica%l* to t)* p,oc**4in'( %*-o,* t)* PCAB.


4/12

@ I.T.C. LTD ;. MALTA DECISION

It ,*call*4 t)at t)i( p,o;i(ion onl& appli*4 to 4i(p+t*( conc*,nin' ci;il,i')t( an4 o%li'ation(. T)*(* ,i')t( %*lon'*4 to p,i;at* an4 not to p+%lic

la? an4 *>i(t*4 onl& i- t)*& a,o(* -,o a cl*a,l& 4*-in*4 (tat+to,& ,i')t.T)+(1 alt)o+') a copan& ?a( *ntitl*4 not to %* 4i(c,iinat*4 a'ain(t int)* a4+4ication p,oc*4+,*1 it 4i4 not )a;* a ci;il ,i')t to %* a?a,4*4 t)*t*n4*,. T)* -act t)at it ca,,i*4 o+t co*,cial acti;iti*( ai*4 at *a,nin'

p,o-it ?a( not in it(*l- (+--ici*nt to %,in' A,ticl* ! into pla&.Mo,*o;*,1 it co+l4 not %* (ai4 t)at t)* PCAB ?a( a t,i%+nal ?it)in t)*

*anin' o- t)i( p,o;i(ion. It ?a( not in4*p*n4*nt (inc* *((*ntial -*at+,*( o-it( con(tit+tion an4 o- t)* *>*,ci(* o- it( -+nction( 4*p*n4*4 on t)* P,i*Mini(t*,. F+,t)*,o,*1 it( 4*ci(ion( too t)* -o, o- (p*ci-ic,*co*n4ation(1 ?)ic) ?*,* -inal a( ,*'a,4( t)* a?a,4 o- t)* cont,act.T)*& ?*,* %in4in' on t)* Di,*cto, o- Cont,act( ?)o co+l4 not %*

con(i4*,*4 a %o4& )a;in' +4icial po?*,(. Acco,4in' to 4o*(tic ca(*la?1a ,*co*n4ation 4i4 not )a;* t)* (a* a+t)o,it& a( a +4'*nt o- acop*t*nt co+,t 4*t*,inin' t)* *>i(t*nc* o- ci;il ,i')t( an4 o%li'ation(.

. Proceedings before the Constitutional Court

On D*c*%*, $$@ t)* applicant copan& app*al*4 to t)*Con(tit+tional Co+,t.

It clai*4 t)at acco,4in' to t)* ca(*la? o- t)* E+,op*an Co+,t o-H+an Ri')t(1 t)* ?o,4 t,i%+nal in A,ticl* ! o- t)* Con;*ntion )a4 to %*'i;*n a ?i4*, int*,p,*tation1 not %a(*4 on t)* 4i(tinction %*t?**n +a(i

+4icial an4 p+,*l& a4ini(t,ati;* %o4i*(. All +4icial a+t)o,iti*( t)at4*t*,in*4 a p*,(on( coplaint( a--*ctin' )i( o, )*, ,i')t( ()o+l4 %*con(i4*,*4 a t,i%+nal. In pa,tic+la,1 t)* 4i(p+t* (+%itt*4 to t)* PCABconc*,n*4 ci;il ,i')t( an4 o%li'ation(. In4**41 t)* pa,ticipation in t)* t*n4*,in;ol;*4 (+%(tantial -inancial an4 lo'i(tical *--o,t( an4 t)* a?a,4 o- t)*cont,act ?o+l4 )a;* *ntail*4 (i'ni-icant -inancial %*n*-it( -o, t)* applicant.B& it( ;*,& nat+,*1 t)* ?)ol* p,oc*(( 'a;* ,i(* to ,i')t( an4 o%li'ation( in,*(p*ct o- an& p*,(on *nt*,in' into n*'otiation( to o%tain (+c) an a?a,4.

T)* applicant -+,t)*, a,'+*4 t)at1 )a;in' ,*'a,4 to t)* ann*, o-appoint*nt o- it( *%*,( an4 to it( p,oc*4+,*(1 t)* PCAB ,*(*%l*4o,* a co+,t o, +4icial t,i%+nal t)an an a4ini(t,ati;* %o4&.

B& a +4'*nt o- 2 7+l& $$1 t)* Con(tit+tional Co+,t ,**ct*4 t)*applicant copan&( app*al.

It )*l4 t)at Malt*(* la? applica%l* at t)* ti* /t)* P+%lic S*,;ic*/P,oc+,**nt0 R*'+lation( 2""!0 4i4 not ',ant an& ,i')t( in t)* cont*>t o- a

p+%lic call -o, t*n4*,(. T)* *,* act o- (+%ittin' a t*n4*, 4i4 not 'i;* t)*applicant copan& t)* ,i')t to )a;* it( t*n4*, acc*pt*4. It ?a( t,+* t)at t)*ao+nt o- ?o, in;ol;*4 in (+%ittin' a t*n4*, an4 t)* -inancial *>p*n(*(attac)*4 to it ca,,i*4 ?it) it an o%li'ation to act in 'oo4 -ait) an4 ?it) t)*4ili'*nc* o- a bonus pater fa!iliast),o+')o+t t)* n*'otiation(. Ho?*;*,1


5/12


t)*(* o%li'ation( onl& )a4 a p,*cont,act+al nat+,*J t)*& co+l4 'i;* ,i(* to aclai -o, 4aa'*(1 %+t not to an& ,i')t to 4*an4 (p*ci-ic p*,-o,anc*.

In t)* p,*(*nt ca(*1 t)* applicant 4i4 not ,*+*(t 4aa'*( %+t a,*con(i4*,ation o- t)* 4*ci(ion. T)* -act t)at t)* ,*(+lt o- t)* p,oc**4in'(

%*-o,* t)* PCAB )a4 *conoic con(*+*nc*( -o, t)* applicant ?a( not(+--ici*nt to concl+4* t)at t)* 4i(p+t* conc*,n*4 t)* 4*t*,ination o- a ci;il,i')t. T)* Con(tit+tional Co+,t 4i(tin'+i()*4 t)* applicant copan&( ca(*-,o t)* ca(* o- "innell# $ Sons %td and &thers and 'c(lduff and &thersv. the )nited *ingdo!/(** +4'*nt o- 2$ 7+l& 2""1Reports of +udg!entsand ,ecisions 2""I80. Alt)o+') t)at ca(* )a4 4*alt ?it) t*n4*,(1 t)* ,i')tat i((+* ?a( t)* ,i')t not to %* 4i(c,iinat*4 a'ain(t in t)* o% a,*t.

In ;i*? o- t)* a%o;*1 t)* Con(tit+tional Co+,t concl+4*4 t)at t)*p,oc**4in'( %*-o,* t)* PCAB 4i4 not in;ol;* a 4*t*,ination o- ci;il ,i')t(

an4 o%li'ation(. It ?a( t)*,*-o,* i,,*l*;ant to *(ta%li() ?)*t)*, t)* PCAB?a( a t,i%+nal ?it)in t)* *anin' o- A,ticl* ! o- t)* Con;*ntion.

B. Relevant domestic law and practice

1. +udicial Revie-

A,ticl* @!" A /20 o- t)* Co4* o- O,'ani(ation an4 Ci;il P,oc*4+,* /t)*COCP01 ,*a4( a( -ollo?(5

Sa;* a( i( ot)*,?i(* p,o;i4*4 %& la?1 t)* co+,t( o- +(tic* o- ci;il +,i(4iction a&*n+i,* into t)* ;ali4it& o- an& a4ini(t,ati;* act o, 4*cla,* (+c) act n+ll1 in;ali4 o,

?it)o+t *--*ct onl& in t)* -ollo?in' ca(*(5/a0 ?)*,* t)* a4ini(t,ati;* act i( in ;iolation o- t)* Con(tit+tionJ

/b0 ?)*n t)* a4ini(t,ati;* act i( ultra vires on an& o- t)* -ollo?in' ',o+n4(5

/i0 ?)*n (+c) act *anat*( -,o a p+%lic a+t)o,it& t)at i( not a+t)o,i(*4 to p*,-o,itJ o,

/ii0 ?)*n a p+%lic a+t)o,it& )a( -ail*4 to o%(*,;* t)* p,incipl*( o- nat+,al +(tic* o,an4ato,& p,oc*4+,al ,*+i,**nt( in p*,-o,in' t)* a4ini(t,ati;* act o, in it( p,io,4*li%*,ation( t)*,*onJ o,

iii0 ?)*n t)* a4ini(t,ati;* act con(tit+t*( an a%+(* o- t)* p+%lic a+t)o,it&( po?*,in t)at it i( 4on* -o, ip,op*, p+,po(*( o, on t)* %a(i( o- i,,*l*;ant con(i4*,ation(J o,

i;0 ?)*n t)* a4ini(t,ati;* act i( ot)*,?i(* cont,a,& to la?.

2. "he Public Service Procure!ent/ Regulations

R*'+lation @. o- t)* P+%lic S*,;ic* /P,oc+,**nt0 R*'+lation( 2""!,*a4 a( -ollo?(5

T)*(* ,*'+lation( 4o not con-*, an& ,i')t on an& t*n4*,*,1 (+ppli*, o, cont,acto,%*&on4 t)o(* p*,tainin' +n4*, ci;il la?.

R*'+lation o- t)* (i>t) (c)*4+l* to t)* 2""! R*'+lation( ,*+i,*4Cont,act Coitt**( to5


6/12

! I.T.C. LTD ;. MALTA DECISION

*;al+at* t*n4*,( (+%itt*4 a( ?*ll a( ,*po,t( an4 ,*co*n4ation( a4* t)*,*on%& t)* ,*(p*cti;* 4*pa,t*nt( an4 p+%lic o,'ani(ation( an4 a* 4*-init*,*co*n4ation( -o, t)* a?a,4 o- t*n4*,( *n(+,in' t)at t)* %*(t ;al+* -o, on*& att)* lo?*(t po((i%l* co(t i( attain*4. In t)i( ,*'a,41 4+* con(i4*,ation ()all %* 'i;*n to

i. t)* -inal co(t incl+4in' -inancin' co(t( to Go;*,n*nt o, to t)* p+%lico,'ani(ation1 an4

ii. t)* ipact o- *ac) o--*, on t)* ,*c+,,*nt *>p*n4it+,* o- Go;*,n*nt o, t)*p+%lic o,'ani(ationJ

T)* 2""! R*'+lation( ?*,* a*n4*4 %& L*'al Notic* =3 o- $$=1 /t)*$$= R*'+lation(0. In (o -a, a( ,*l*;ant t)* $$= R*'+lation( ,*a4 a(-ollo?(5

Regulation 4

/20 Cont,actin' a+t)o,iti*( ()all *n(+,* t)at t)*,* i( no 4i(c,iination %*t?**n+n4*,tain'(1 an4 t)at all +n4*,tain'( a,* t,*at*4 *+all& in all call( -o, t*n4*,(?)at*;*, t)*i, *(tiat*4 ;al+*.

...

/@0 Cont,actin' a+t)o,iti*( ()all ,*(p*ct -+ll& t)* con-i4*ntial nat+,* o- an&in-o,ation -+,ni()*4 %& can4i4at*( an4 t*n4*,*,(.

/0 In t)* cont*>t o- p,o;i(ion o- t*c)nical (p*ci-ication( to int*,*(t*4 can4i4at*(an4 t*n4*,*,(1 t)* +ali-ication( o- can4i4at*( an4 (*l*ction o- t*n4*,*,( an4 t)*a?a,4 o- cont,act(1 cont,actin' a+t)o,iti*( a& ipo(* ,*+i,**nt( ?it) a ;i*? to

p,ot*ctin' t)* con-i4*ntial nat+,* o- in-o,ation ?)ic) t)*& a& ?i() to a*a;aila%l*.

Regulation 103

/20 An& t*n4*,*, ?)o -**l( a'',i*;*4 %& a p,opo(*4 a?a,4 o- a cont,act an4 an&p*,(on )a;in' o, )a;in' )a4 an int*,*(t in o%tainin' a pa,tic+la, ... cont,act an4 ?)o)a( %**n o, ,i(( %*in' )a,*4 %& an all*'*4 in-,in'**nt a& ... -il* a notic* o-o%*ction ?it) t)* D*pa,t*nt o- Cont,act( o, t)* cont,actin' a+t)o,it& in;ol;*4 a(t)* ca(* a& %*.

T)* -+nction( o- t)* PCAB )a;* not %**n (+%*ct to an& ,*l*;antc)an'*( in t)* pa(t a*n4*nt( an4 t)* Nint) Sc)*4+l* to t)* 2""!R*'+lation( in (o -a, a( ,*l*;ant ,*a4 a( -ollo?(5

/l$0 T)* (*((ion( o- t)* Boa,4 4+,in' ?)ic) t)* coplaint i( )*a,4 ()all %* )*l4 inp+%lic an4 %ot) t)* coplainant an4 t)* int*,*(t*4 pa,t& ()all )a;* t)* ,i')t to att*n4

an4 to %* accopani*4 %& an& p*,(on1 p,o-*((ional o, ot)*,?i(*1 ?)o t)*& con(i4*,(+ita%l* to 4*-*n4 t)*i, int*,*(t(.

/220 T)* C)ai,an ()all *n(+,* t)at 4+,in' t)* p+%lic )*a,in' all int*,*(t*4 pa,ti*(a,* 'i;*n t)* oppo,t+nit& to (tat* t)*i, ca(*(.

...

/230 All 4*ci(ion( ta*n %& t)* Boa,4 ()all %* (+%itt*4 in ?,itin' an4 ()allcontain t)* -+ll -act( an4 ,*a(on( on ?)ic) t)* Boa,4( -inal 4*ci(ion i( ta*n. All4*ci(ion( ()all %* concl+4*4 ?it) 4*-init* ,*co*n4ation( ?)ic) ()all %* %in4in'on t)* Di,*cto, o- Cont,act(.


7/12

I.T.C. LTD ;. MALTA DECISION 3

/20 An& %i44*, (+%ittin' a coplaint ?)o i( not (ati(-i*4 ?it) t)* -inal 4*ci(ionta*n %& t)* Boa,4 ()all )a;* -inal l*'al ,i')t( to ,*-*, t)* att*, to a Co+,t o- La?an4 to (** an& ,*4,*(( o, cop*n(ation ?)ic) )* con(i4*,( 4+* to )i a( a ,*(+lt o-t)* 4*ci(ion ?it) ?)ic) )* a& 4i(a',**. S+c) ,*co+,(* %& an& %i44*, to a Co+,t o-La? ()all not 4*t*, t)* Di,*cto, o- Cont,act( -,o ipl**ntin' t)* Boa,4( -inal4*ci(ion.

COMPLAINT

T)* applicant coplain*4 +n4*, A,ticl* ! o- t)* Con;*ntion t)at it )a4not %**n acco,4*4 a -ai, )*a,in' %*-o,* t)* PCAB.

THE LA

T)* applicant copan& coplain*4 t)at a( a ,*(+lt o- t)* ,*-+(al o- it(,*+*(t -o, t)* p,o4+ction o- a n+%*, o- 4oc+*nt(1 t)* p,oc**4in'(

%*-o,* t)* PCAB )a4 %**n +n-ai,1 cont,a,& to A,ticl* ! < 2 o- t)*Con;*ntion1 ?)ic) ,*a4( a( -ollo?(5

In t)* 4*t*,ination o- )i( ci;il ,i')t( an4 o%li'ation( ...1 *;*,&on* i( *ntitl*4 to a-ai, ... )*a,in' ... %& Ka ... t,i%+nal...

A. The parties sumissions

1. "he 0overn!ent

T)* Go;*,n*nt o%*ct*4 t)at t)* applicant )a4 not *>)a+(t*4 t)*4o*(tic ,**4i*( a;aila%l* to it. T)* applicant copan& )a4 lo4'*4 it(application ?it) t)* Ci;il Co+,t on @ F*%,+a,& $$@1 t)*,*-o,* a-t*, t)*

p+%lic )*a,in' %*-o,* t)* PCAB o- 2" F*%,+a,& $$@ %+t %*-o,* t)*PCAB( -inal 4*ci(ion o- 3 F*%,+a,& $$@ ,**ctin' it( app*al. T)+( t)*con(tit+tional +4'*nt( ,*-*,,*4 (ol*l& to t)* PCAB( int*,loc+to,&4*ci(ion ,*-+(in' t)* applicant copan&( ,*+*(t -o, t)* p,o4+ction o- t)*

,*l*;ant 4oc+*nt(. T)* Go;*,n*nt -+,t)*, (+%itt*4 t)at t)* -act t)at t)*Con(tit+tional Co+,t )a4 ,+l*4 a'ain(t t)* applicant copan& on it(Con;*ntion clai( 4i4 not *>cl+4* it( ,i')t to cont*(t t)* -inal a?a,4 o- t)*cont,act %& +4icial ,*;i*? p,oc**4in'( an4 to (** t)* pa&*nt o- 4aa'*(in to,t -o, t)* all*'*4 ill*'alit& o- t)* a?a,4.

Ho?*;*,1 *;*n i- it ?*,* con(i4*,*4 t)at t)* applicant copan& )a4*>)a+(t*4 4o*(tic ,**4i*(1 t)* Go;*,n*nt (+%itt*4 t)at A,ticl* ! ?a(not applica%l* a( %& la? t)* PCAB )a4 not %**n call*4 +pon to 4*t*,in*an& ci;il ,i')t o, o%li'ation. T)* 4*ci(ion o- t)* Di,*cto, o- Cont,act( toconcl+4* a cont,act ?it) a pa,tic+la, %i44*, ?a( an a4ini(t,ati;* act an4


8/12


t)* ,i')t to app*al (+c) a 4*ci(ion to t)* PCAB ?a( an int*,nal ,**4&p,o;i4*4 ?it)in t)* a4ini(t,ation.

T)* i((+anc* o- a call -o, t*n4*,( 4i4 not 'i;* an& t*n4*,*, an&*n-o,c*a%l* ci;il ,i')t a'ain(t t)* i((+*,. T)i( ?a( cl*a, -,o t)* P+%licS*,;ic* /P,oc+,**nt0 R*'+lation( in -o,c* at t)* ,*l*;ant ti*. T)* la? 4i4not ;*(t an& p*,(on ?it) t)* ,i')t to )a;* a t*n4*, acc*pt*4 -o, t)* (ol*,*a(on t)at it copli*4 ?it) t)* ,*+i,*4 con4ition(. Mo,*o;*,1 t)*A4+4ication Boa,4 ?a( not %o+n4 to *n(+,* t)at (o*on* ?a( in -acta?a,4*4 t)* cont,act. It ?a( onl& ,*+i,*4 to a* ,*co*n4ation( it4***4 app,op,iat* in t)* *>*,ci(* o- it( 4i(c,*tion. T)* Di,*cto, co+l4 t)*n

p,oc**4 ?it) t)* a?a,4 o- t)* cont,act alt)o+') )* ?a( not o%li'*4 to 4o (o.Ho?*;*,1 i- )* 4*ci4*4 to 4o (o1 )* ?a( %o+n4 to -ollo? t)*,*co*n4ation( o- t)* PCAB. Con(*+*ntl&1 *;*n (+c) ,*co*n4ation(

4i4 not ;*(t t)* coplainant ?it) an *n-o,c*a%l* ci;il ,i')t. S+c) a ,i')t?o+l4 onl& a,i(* -,o t)* cont,act onc* it )a4 %**n concl+4*4 an4 not4+,in' t)* *;al+ation (ta'*. T)i( ?a( al(o t)* concl+(ion +p)*l4 %& %ot) t)*Ci;il Co+,t an4 t)* Con(tit+tional Co+,t in t)* 4o*(tic p,oc**4in'( /(**a%o;*0.

Acco,4in' to 4o*(tic ca(*la? /Roberto a!boni et s ,irector ofContracts et judg!ent of the Court of Appeal 31 'a# 24420 a 4*ci(ion toa?a,4 a 'o;*,n*nt cont,act i( an a4ini(t,ati;* act in t*,( o-A,ticl* @!" A o- t)* COCP. Mo,*o;*,1 t)* *>t*nt to ?)ic) p,*cont,act+allia%ilit& can a,i(* +n4*, Malt*(* la? i( (till 4o+%t-+l1 a( con-i,*4 in Alfred

Attard et s Paolo 5uereb et /judg!ent of the Civil Court 6irst 7all/13 &ctober 24430. T)* (a* co+,t lat*, concl+4*4 t)at to clai 4aa'*(,*(+ltin' -,o p,*cont,act+al lia%ilit& a plainti-- +(t p,o;* t)at t)*t*,ination o, c*((ation o- n*'otiation( ?a( not +(ti-i*4 an4 t)at t)*con4+ct o- t)* pa,t& ?)o %,o+')t t)* n*'otiation( to an *n4 +(t %**+i;al*nt to dolus. In t)o(* ci,c+(tanc*( t)* 4aa'*( to %* pai4 ()o+l4

%* liit*4 to *>p*n(*( act+all& inc+,,*4 in t)* co+,(* o- o, in conn*ction?it) n*'otiation( an4 ()o+l4 not co;*, lo(( o- p,o-it. T)+(1 acco,4in' to t)*Go;*,n*nt1 *;*n i- it ?*,* to %* conc*4*4 t)at p,*cont,act+al lia%ilit&a,o(* -,o t)* t*n4*,in' p,oc*(( an4 t)at t)i( con(tit+t*4 a ci;il ,i')t1 in t)*

p,*(*nt ca(* no (+c) clai ?a( p+t -o,?a,4 o, co+l4 %* p+t -o,?a,4 o,

4*t*,in*4 %& t)* PCAB.Finall&1 t)* Go;*,n*nt1 ,*-*,,in' to t)* Co+,t( ca(* la? aintain*4t)at t)* p,*(*nt ca(* 4i--*,*4 -,o t)at o-Benthe! v. 8etherlands/+4'*nto- = Octo%*, 2""1 S*,i*( A no. "30. In t)* latt*, ca(* t)* Ro&al D*c,** ati((+* ?a( not (+(c*pti%l* to ,*;i*? %& a +4icial %o4& a( ,*+i,*4 %& A,ticl*! < 2. In t)* p,*(*nt ca(*1 t)* -inal 4*ci(ion to a?a,4 a p+%lic cont,act ?a(in4**4 (+%*ct to +4icial ,*;i*?1 an action ?)ic) t)* applicant 4i4 not -il*.


9/12

I.T.C. LTD ;. MALTA DECISION "

2. "he applicant

T)* applicant copan& (+%itt*4 t)at it )a4 *>)a+(t*4 4o*(tic,**4i*( (inc* t)* Con(tit+tional Co+,t ?a( t)* onl& app,op,iat* ,**4&. In-act1 t)* Ci;il Co+,t1 %& it( ,**ction o- t)* 4*-*n4ant( pl*a o- non*>)a+(tion o- o,4ina,& ,**4i*(1 )a4 con-i,*4 t)i(.

In ,*(p*ct o- t)* applica%ilit& o- A,ticl* !1 t)* applicant copan&(+%itt*4 t)at alt)o+') t)* P+%lic S*,;ic* /P,oc+,**nt0 R*'+lation( 4i4not p,o;i4* -o, an& (p*ci-ic ,i')t(1 t)*& 4i4 'i;* a t*n4*,*, t)* ,i')t too%*ct to an a?a,4 o- a p+%lic cont,act an4 )a;* t)* o%*ction( con(i4*,*4 ata p+%lic )*a,in'. T)*(* R*'+lation( al(o o%li'*4 t)* Go;*,n*nt to acc*ptt)* o(t *conoicall& a4;anta'*o+( t*n4*,1 ?)ic) i( not n*c*((a,il& t)*lo?*(t. Fail+,* to acc*pt (+c) a t*n4*, ?o+l41 at t)* ;*,& l*a(t1 l*a;* t)*

Go;*,n*nt lia%l* to %* (+*4 -o, 4aa'*(. It -+,t)*, (+%itt*4 t)at t)*(+%(*+*nt an4 o,* 4*tail*4 $$= R*'+lation( /?)ic) ?*,* in t+,n,*plac*401 a*n4in' t)* 2""! R*'+lation( ?*,* al(o in4icati;* o- t)* (cop*o- t)* ,i')t( ',ant*4 to t*n4*,*,(.

Acco,4in' to t)* applicant copan&1 t)* a,'+*nt t)at a %o4&4*t*,inin' an app*al a4* in a p+%lic t*n4*, p,oc*4+,* ?a( a t,i%+nal4*t*,inin' ci;il ,i')t( an4 o%li'ation( ?a( (+ppo,t*4 %& a n+%*, o-con(i4*,ation(5 inter alia1 t)* -act t)at a t*n4*,*, inc+,,*4 a (+%i((ion -**an4 ;a,io+( (+%(tantial co(t( in o,4*, to a* a %i4 ?)ic) )a4 to %*4*t*,in*4 in 'oo4 -ait)1 a( al(o not*4 in t)* $$= R*'+lation(J t)* -act t)atan o%*ction ?a( al(o (+%*ct to a -**1 ?)ic) ?a( pai4 on t)* +n4*,(tan4in'

t)at t)* )*a,in' ?o+l4 '+a,ant** ,*(p*ct -o, all ,i')t( conc*,n*4J an4 t)*-act t)at a t*n4*,*, ?)o 4i(a',**4 ?it) a 4*ci(ion o- t)* %o4& co+l4 ,*-*,t)* att*, to a co+,t o- la? an4 (** ,*4,*(( o, cop*n(ation i- t)*a+t)o,it& )a4 act*4 +n-ai,l&.

In t)* p,*(*nt ca(* t)* applicant ,*+*(t*4 t)* *>aination o- t)*A4+4ication Boa,4( ,*po,t in o,4*, to 4*t*,in* t)* occ+,,*nc* o-+n-ai,n*((J con(*+*ntl&1 an& a;aila%l* ,**4& co+l4 onl& a,i(* a( a ,*(+lto- t)i( 4*t*,ination. Mo,*o;*,1 it ?a( an acc*pt*4 p,incipl* t)at p,*cont,act+al 4aa'*( a,o(* in ca(*( ?)*,* on* o- t)* pa,ti*( %*)a;*4+n-ai,l& 4+,in' t)* p,oc*(( o- cont,actin'.

B. The !ourts assessment

T)* Co+,t con(i4*,( t)at it i( not n*c*((a,& to *>ain* ?)*t)*, t)*applicant copan& )a( *>)a+(t*4 4o*(tic ,**4i*( in ,*(p*ct o- it(coplaint +n4*, A,ticl* ! o- t)* Con;*ntion1 o, ?)*t)*, it( (+%(*+*ntaction( ,*lat*4 (ol*l& to t)* PCAB( int*,loc+to,& 4*c,**1 a( t)* coplaintt)at it 4i4 not )a;* a -ai, t,ial %*-o,* t)* PCAB1 +(t in an& *;*nt %*4*cla,*4 ina4i((i%l* -o, t)* -ollo?in' ,*a(on.


10/12

2$ I.T.C. LTD ;. MALTA DECISION

T)* Co+,t ,*it*,at*( t)at -o, A,ticl* ! < 2 in it( ci;il li% to %*applica%l*1 t)*,* +(t %* a 4i(p+t* /contestation in t)* F,*nc) t*>t0 o;*, a

ci;il ,i')t ?)ic) can %* (ai41 at l*a(t on a,'+a%l* ',o+n4(1 to %*,*co'ni(*4 +n4*, 4o*(tic la?. T)* 4i(p+t* +(t %* '*n+in* an4 (*,io+(J ita& ,*lat* not onl& to t)* act+al *>i(t*nc* o- a ,i')t %+t al(o to it( (cop* an4t)* ann*, o- it( *>*,ci(*J an41 -inall&1 t)* ,*(+lt o- t)* p,oc**4in'( +(t %*4i,*ctl& 4*ci(i;* -o, t)* ,i')t in +*(tion (**Pudas v. S-eden1 +4'*nt o-3 Octo%*, 2"31 S*,i*( A no. 2A1 p. 2@1 < =20. T)* c)a,act*, o- t)*l*'i(lation ?)ic) 'o;*,n( )o? t)* att*, i( to %* 4*t*,in*4 /ci;il1co*,cial1 a4ini(t,ati;* la?1 *tc.0 an4 t)at o- t)* a+t)o,it& ?)ic) i(in;*(t*4 ?it) +,i(4iction in t)* att*, /o,4ina,& co+,t1 a4ini(t,ati;* %o4&1*tc.0 a,* t)*,*-o,* o- littl* con(*+*nc* /(** Ringeisen v. Austria1 +4'*nto- 2! 7+l& 2"321 S*,i*( A no. 2=1 p. ="1 < "@0. Mo,*o;*,1 it i( not (+--ici*nt

to %,in' a 4i(p+t* ?it)in t)* (cop* o- A,ticl* ! to ()o? t)at it i( p*c+nia,&in nat+,*.

A,ticl* ! < 2 o- t)* Con;*ntion i( not ai*4 at c,*atin' n*? (+%(tanti;*,i')t( ?it)o+t a l*'al %a(i( in t)* Cont,actin' Stat*1 %+t at p,o;i4in'

p,oc*4+,al p,ot*ction o- ,i')t( al,*a4& ,*co'ni(*4 in 4o*(tic la? /(**9. v. the )nited *ingdo!1 +4'*nt o- 7+l& 2"31 S*,i*( A no. 22A1

p. ===1 < 3= an4Roche v. the )nited *ingdo! KGC1 no. =#"!1 < 2231ECHR $$...0. In t)i( conn*ction1 in 4*ci4in' ?)*t)*, a ,i')t1 ci;il o,ot)*,?i(*1 co+l4 a,'+a%l& %* (ai4 to %* ,*co'ni(*4 +n4*, Malt*(* la?1 t)*Co+,t +(t )a;* ,*'a,4 to t)* ?o,4in' o- t)* ,*l*;ant l*'al p,o;i(ion( an4to t)* ?a& t)o(* p,o;i(ion( a,* int*,p,*t*4 %& t)* 4o*(tic co+,t( /(**

'asson and van on v. the 8etherlands1 +4'*nt o- S*pt*%*, 2""1S*,i*( A no. =31 p. 2"1 < @" an4 Roche cit*4 a%o;*1 < 2$0. T)i( Co+,t?o+l4 n**4 (t,on' ,*a(on( to 4i--*, -,o t)* concl+(ion( ,*ac)*4 %& t)*national (+p*,io, co+,t( on a +*(tion o- int*,p,*tation o- 4o*(tic la? an4

%& -in4in'1 cont,a,& to t)*i, ;i*?1 t)at t)*,* ?a( a,'+a%l& a ,i')t ,*co'ni(*4%& 4o*(tic la? /ibid0.

In ,*(p*ct o- t)* ?o,4in' o- t)* ,*l*;ant la?1 t)* Co+,t not*( t)at t)*P+%lic S*,;ic* /P,oc+,**nt0 R*'+lation(1 pa,tic+la,l& ,*'+lation @. (tat*4t)at these regulations did not confer an# right on an# tenderer supplier orcontractor be#ond those pertaining under civil la- an4 cla+(* @.22 o- t)*

call -o, t*n4*,( (tat*4 t)at the 0overn!ent -as not obliged to accept thelo-est or an# other tender sub!itted and -as not obliged to give reasonsfor so doing. Alt)o+') t)*(* ,*'+lation( o%li'*4 t)* cont,actin' coitt**to ,*co*n4 t*n4*,( ?)ic) *n(+,*4 t)* %*(t ;al+* -o, on*& at t)* lo?*(t

po((i%l* co(t1 t)i( 4i4 not *an t)at t)* l*a(t *>p*n(i;* )a4 to %* c)o(*n /a(?a( not 4i(p+t*4 %& t)* applicant copan& in it( o%(*,;ation(0. T)+(1 t)**,* -act t)at a l*'al p*,(on (+%itt*4 a %i4 o, a4* an o--*, co+l4 not 'i;*,i(* to an *>p*ctation1 *;*n l*(( (o a ,i')t1 to %* a?a,4*4 t)* t*n4*,1 o, to)a;* it 4*t*,in*4 %& an& pa,tic+la, *t)o4 /(**1 !utatis !utandis1+an ,e

8ul S.A./ &nderne!ingen v. Belgiu!/4*c.01 no. $"$3#"1 Ma,c) 2""@0.


11/12

I.T.C. LTD ;. MALTA DECISION 22

A( to t)* ?a& in ?)ic) t)o(* p,o;i(ion( ?*,* int*,p,*t*4 %& t)* 4o*(ticco+,t(1 t)* Co+,t not*( t)at acco,4in' to t)* ca(*la? ,*-*,,*4 to %& t)*

Go;*,n*nt1 a 4*ci(ion to a?a,4 a 'o;*,n*nt cont,act )a( %**n )*l4 to %*an a4ini(t,ati;* act. It -+,t)*, not*( t)at in t)* p,*(*nt ca(* %ot) t)* Ci;ilCo+,t an4 t)* Con(tit+tional Co+,t concl+4*4 t)at t)* ,*l*;ant l*'al

p,o;i(ion( 4i4 not ',ant an& ci;il ,i')t( in t)* cont*>t o- a p+%lic call -o,t*n4*,(.

T)+(1 +pon anal&(i( o- t)* ,*l*;ant p,o;i(ion( an4 t)*i, int*,p,*tation1t)* Co+,t i( o- t)* ;i*? t)at 4+,in' t)* *;al+ation (ta'* o- t)* t*n4*, in+*(tion1 t)* applicant copan& co+l4 not at an& point *>p*ct to %* a )ol4*,o- a ci;il ,i')t.

T)* -act t)at1 a( clai*4 %& t)* applicant copan&1 a t*n4*,*, )a4 t)*,i')t to o%*ct to an a?a,4 an4 to )a;* t)* o%*ction( con(i4*,*4 at a p+%lic

)*a,in'1 4i4 not ao+nt to a ci;il ,i')t1 %+t *,*l& to a ,i')t o- a p+%licnat+,*. In4**4 a ,i')t to o%*ct to an a?a,4 4o*( not (+--ic* to a*A,ticl* ! applica%l* to p,oc**4in'( 4*t*,inin' t)* a?a,4 o- a t*n4*,1 in;i*? o- t)* A4+4ication Boa,4( 4i(c,*tion to 4*ci4* ?)o ()o+l4 %*',ant*4 t)* t*n4*, /(**1 !utatis !utandis1 Sk#radio and others v.S-it:erland1 /4*c.0 no. @!@2#""1 =2 A+'+(t $$@0. T)* p,*(*nt ca(* i(4i--*,*nt -,oAra; v. "urke#1 /no. !"$=3#$21 2 S*pt*%*, $$!0 in ?)ic)t)* *>cl+(ion o- t)* applicant -,o t)* t*n4*,in' p,oc*(( )a4 %**n 4+* to)i( political opinion( an4 ?)*,* t)* 4*ci(ion *>cl+4*4 )i not onl& -,ot)* t*n4*, at i((+* %+t -,o an& -+t+,* t*n4*,in' p,oc*((*(. T)* 4*ci(iont)+( *ntail*4 ;*,& (i'ni-icant *conoic con(*+*nc*( -o, )i. T)* -act t)atin t)* p,*(*nt ca(* t)* applicant copan& )a4 al,*a4& inc+,,*4 -inancial*>p*n(*( in o,4*, to ta* pa,t in t)* %i4 an4 t)at t)* 4*ci(ion co+l4 )a;* )a4(o* *conoic con(*+*nc*( -o, it1 4i4 not (+--ic* to c,*at* a ci;il ,i')t.In4**4 p,oc**4in'( 4o not %*co* ci;il *,*l& %*ca+(* t)*& al(o ,ai(* an*conoic i((+* /(**1 !utatis !utandis1Pierre


12/12

2 I.T.C. LTD ;. MALTA DECISION

In ;i*? o- t)* a%o;*1 it i( app,op,iat* to 4i(contin+* t)* application o-A,ticl* " < = o- t)* Con;*ntion.

Fo, t)*(* ,*a(on(1 t)* Co+,t %& a ao,it&

,eclarest)* application ina4i((i%l*.

T.L. EARLY Nicola( BRAT6AR*'i(t,a, P,*(i4*nt

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i.t.c. Ltd v. Malta