Judgment of the General Court (Fourth Chamber) of 9 July 2013 —
Lito Maieftiko Gynaikologiko kai Cheirourgiko Kentro v Commission

(Case T‑552/11)

Action for annulment — Contract concerning financial assistance of the European Union for a project in the field of medical collaboration — Debit note — Contractual nature of the dispute — Measure not reviewable — Inadmissibility — Counterclaim for payment

1.                     Actions for annulment — Action relating in reality to a contractual dispute — Application for annulment of a debit note issued by the Commission — No jurisdiction of the EU judicature — Inadmissibility (Arts 263 TFEU and 288 TFEU) (see paras 21-24)

2.                     Judicial proceedings — Referral to the General Court under an arbitration clause — Jurisdiction of the General Court to hear a counterclaim for payment — Basis (Arts 272 TFEU and 299 TFEU) (see paras 35-40)

Re:

ACTION for annulment of a debit note issued by the Commission on 9 September 2011 in order to recover the sum of EUR 83 001.09 paid to the applicant in the context of financial assistance for a project and, on the other hand, a counterclaim seeking an order requiring the applicant to pay that sum together with interest.

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action for annulment as inadmissible;

2. Orders Lito Maieftiko Ginaikologiko kai Khirourgiko Kentro AE to pay the European Commission EUR 83 001.09 by way of principal sum and EUR 11.37 per day in respect of default interest falling due from 25 October 2011 until discharge of the principal debt;

3. Orders Lito Maieftiko Ginaikologiko kai Khirourgiko Kentro to pay the costs, including those relating to the proceedings for interim measures.