Judgment of the General Court (Fourth Chamber) of 19 February 2016 —
Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik v Commission

(Case T‑53/14)

Arbitration clause — Sixth framework programme for research, technological development and demonstration activities — Reimbursement of a portion of the amounts paid and flat-rate compensation — No need to adjudicate in part — Costs eligible for EU funding — Penalty clause — Manifestly excessive character

Judicial proceedings — General Court seised under an arbitration clause — Contracts concluded under a specific research, technological development and demonstration programme — Refusal by the Commission to consider as eligible costs certain sums advanced by the beneficiary by way of implementation of the contracts — Request for repayment of advances — Beneficiary challenging the method of calculating the eligible costs — Law applicable — Union law — Concept of eligible costs (Arts 272 TFEU and 288 TFEU; European Parliament and Council Regulation No 2321/2002; Council Regulation No 1605/2002, Art. 109(2)) (see paras 41-47)

Re:

APPLICATION for a declaration, first, that the Commission is not entitled to require the applicant to reimburse advances paid under three contracts and, secondly, that the applicant is not required to pay flat-rate compensation to the Commission.

Operative part

The Court:

1. Declares that there is no longer any need to adjudicate on the second and third heads of claim of the action;

2. Declares that the sums payable as flat-rate compensation by Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik GmbH are to be reduced by an amount equivalent to 10% of the advances to be reimbursed under the contracts concerning the projects HyWays, HyApproval and HarmonHy;

3. Dismisses the action as to the remainder;

4. Orders Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik and the European Commission to bear their own respective costs.