Judgment of the General Court of 13 December 2023 – Glonatech v REA

(Case T-409/22) ¹

(Arbitration clause – Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007-2013) – Grant agreement – The SANAD Project – Staff costs – Burden of proof – Eligible costs – Recovery demand – Debit note – Counter-claim)

Language of the case: English

Parties

Applicant: Global Nanotechnologies AE schediasmou anaptyxis paraskevis kai emporias ylikon nanotechnologias (Glonatech) (Lamía, Greece) (represented by: N. Scandamis, lawyer)

Defendant: European Research Executive Agency (represented by: S. Payan-Lagrou and V. Canetti, acting as Agents, and by M. Le Berre, lawyer)

Re:

By its action pursuant to Article 272 TFEU, the applicant seeks, first, a declaration that it correctly fulfilled its contractual obligations and that it is fully entitled to the payment of claimed costs of the ‘Synthesis of Advanced top Nano-coatings with improved Aerodynamic and De-icing behaviour’ (SANAD) project and, second, that debit note No 3242113938, of 22 December 2021, be set aside.

Operative part of the judgment

The Court:

Dismisses the action;

Upholds the counter-claim brought by the European Research Executive Agency (REA);

Orders Global Nanotechnologies AE schediasmou anaptyxis paraskevis kai emporias ylikon nanotechnologias (Glonatech) to pay to the REA the principal sum of EUR 202 883.48 sought by the REA in its counter-claim;

Orders Glonatech to pay the costs.

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¹     OJ C 389, 10.10.2022.