Order of the General Court (Fifth Chamber) of 31 August 2011 – IEM v Commission

(Case T-435/10)

Action for annulment – Fourth framework programme for research, technological development and demonstration – Application for the reimbursement of sums paid in advance under a research financing contract – Arbitration clause – Letter notifying the issuing of a debit note – Reminder letter – Acts inseparable from the contract – Inadmissibility

1.                     Actions for annulment – Action relating in reality to a contractual dispute – No jurisdiction of the EU judicature – Inadmissibility (Arts 256 TFEU, 263 TFEU, 272 TFEU and 274 TFEU) (see paras 27-28)

2.                     Actions for annulment – Action relating in reality to a contractual dispute – Reclassification of the action – Excluded (Arts 263 TFEU and 272 TFEU) (see para. 29)

Re:

ACTION, first, for the annulment of the Commission's letter of 7 May 2010 notifying the applicant of the issuing of a debit note for the reimbursement of the sum of EUR 105 416.47, corresponding to the sums paid in advance to the applicant by Parthénon AE Oikodomikon – Technikon – Touristikon – Viomichanikon – Emporikon kai Exagogikon Ergasion pursuant to Contract FAIR-CT98-9544 concluded in the context of the fourth framework programme for research, technological development and demonstration and, second, for the annulment of the Commission's letter of 14 July 2010 reminding the applicant of the principal outstanding sum, claimed in debit note No 3241004968.

Operative part

1. The action is dismissed as inadmissible.

2. IEM – Erga – Erevnes – Meletes perivallontos kai chorotaxias AE is ordered to pay the costs.