JURISDICTION OF COURTS AND ENFORCEMENT OF JUDGMENTS ACT, 1998

The appropriate officer of the court shall without delay bring the decision given on the application to the notice of the applicant in accordance with the procedure laid down by the law of the State in which enforcement is sought.

Article 36

If enforcement is authorized, the party against whom enforcement is sought may appeal against the decision within one month of service thereof.

If that party is domiciled in a Contracting State other than that in which the decision authorizing enforcement was given, the time for appealing shall be two months and shall run from the date of service, either on him in person or at his residence. No extension of time may be granted on account of distance.

Article 37

—in Belgium, with the tribunal de première instance or rechtbank van eerste aanleg,

—in Denmark, with the landsret,

—in the Federal Republic of Germany, with the Oberlandesgericht,

—in Greece, with the Eϕετεío,

—in Spain, with the Audiencia Provincial,

—in France, with the cour d'appello,

—in Ireland, with the High Court,

—in Italy, with the corte d'appello,

—in Luxembourg, with the Cour supérieure de justice sitting as a court of civil appeal,

—in Austria, with the Bezirksgericht,

—in the Netherlands, with the arrondissementsrechtbank,

—in Portugal, with the Tribunal da Relação,

—in Finland, with the hovioikeus / hovrätt,

—in Sweden, with the Svea hovrätt,

—in the United Kingdom:

• (a) in England and Wales, with the High Court of Justice, or in the case of a maintenance judgment with the Magistrates' Court;

• (b) in Scotland, with the Court of Session, or in the case of a maintenance judgment with the Sheriff Court;

• (c) in Northern Ireland, with the High Court of Justice, or in the case of a maintenance judgment with the Magistrates' Court.

—in Belgium, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Luxembourg and in the Netherlands, by an appeal in cassation,

—in Denmark, by an appeal to the højesteret, with the leave of the Minister of Justice,

—in the Federal Republic of Germany, by a Rechtsbeschwerde,

—in Austria, in the case of an appeal, by a Revisionsrekurs and, in the case of opposition proceedings, by a Berufung with the possibility of a revision,

—in Ireland, by an appeal on a point of law to the Supreme Court,

—in Portugal, by an appeal on a point of law,

—in Finland, by an appeal to korkein oikeus/högsta domstolen,

—in Sweden, by an appeal to Högsta domstolen,

—in the United Kingdom, by a single further appeal on a point of law.

Article 38

The court with which the appeal under Article 37 (1) is lodged may, on the application of the appellant, stay the proceedings if an ordinary appeal has been lodged against the judgment in the State of origin or if the time for such an appeal has not yet expired; in the latter case, the court may specify the time within which such an appeal is to be lodged.

Where the judgment was given in Ireland or the United Kingdom, any form of appeal available in the State of origin shall be treated as an ordinary appeal for the purposes of the first paragraph.

The court may also make enforcement conditional on the provision of such security as it shall determine.

Article 39

During the time specified for an appeal pursuant to Article 36 and until any such appeal has been determined, no measures of enforcement may be taken other than protective measures taken against the property of the party against whom enforcement is sought.

The decision authorizing enforcement shall carry with it the power to proceed to any such protective measures.

Article 40

—in Belgium, to the cour d'appel or hofvan beroep,

—in Denmark, to the landsret,

—in the Federal Republic of Germany, to the Oberlandesgericht,

—in Greece, to the Eϕετεío,

—in Spain, to the Audiencia Provincial,

—in France, to the cour d'appel,

—in Ireland, to the High Court,

—in Italy, to the corte d'appello,

—in Luxembourg, to the Cour supérieure de justice sitting as a court of civil appeal,

—in Austria, to the Bezirksgericht,

—in the Netherlands, to the gerechtshof,

—in Portugal, to the Tribunal da Relação,

—in Finland, to hovioikeus/hovrätten,

—in Sweden, to the Svea hovrätt,

—in the United Kingdom:

• (a) in England and Wales, to the High Court of Justice, or in the case of a maintenance judgment to the Magistrates’ Court;

• (b) in Scotland, to the Court of Session, or in the case of a maintenance judgment to the Sheriff Court;

• (c) in Northern Ireland, to the High Court of Justice, or in the case of a maintenance judgment to the Magistrates’Court.

Article 41

A judgment given on an appeal provided for in Article 40 may be contested only:

—in Belgium, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Luxembourg and in the Netherlands, by an appeal in cassation,

—in Denmark, by an appeal to the højesteret, with the leave of the Minister of Justice,

—in the Federal Republic of Germany, by a Rechtsbeschwerde,

—in Ireland, by an appeal on a point of law to the Supreme Court,

—in Austria, by a Revisionsrekurs,

—in Portugal, by an appeal on a point of law,

—in Finland, by an appeal to korkein oikeus/högsta domstolen,

—in Sweden, by an appeal to Högsta domstolen,

—in the United Kingdom, by a single further appeal on a point of law.

Article 42

Where a foreign judgment has been given in respect of several matters and enforcement cannot be authorized for all of them, the court shall authorize enforcement for one or more of them.

An applicant may request partial enforcement of a judgment.

Article 43

A foreign judgment which orders a periodic payment by way of a penalty shall be enforceable in the State in which enforcement is sought only if the amount of the payment has been finally determined by the courts of the State of origin.

Article 44

An applicant who, in the State of origin, has benefited from complete or partial legal aid or exemption from costs or expenses, shall be entitled, in the procedures provided for in Articles 32 to 35, to benefit from the most favourable legal aid or the most extensive exemption from costs or expenses provided for by the law of the State addressed.

However, an applicant who requests the enforcement of a decision given by an administrative authority in Denmark in respect of a maintenance order may, in the State addressed, claim the benefits referred to in the first paragraph if he presents a statement from the Danish Ministry of Justice to the effect that he fulfils the economic requirements to qualify for the grant of complete or partial legal aid or exemption from costs or expenses.

Article 45

No security, bond or deposit, however described, shall be required of a party who in one Contracting State applies for enforcement of a judgment given in another Contracting State on the ground that he is a foreign national or that he is not domiciled or resident in the State in which enforcement is sought.

SECTION 3

Common Provisions

Article 46

A party seeking recognition or applying for enforcement of a judgment shall produce:

Article 47

A party applying for enforcement shall also produce:

Article 48

If the documents specified in Articles 46.2 and 47.2 are not produced, the court may specify a time for their production, accept equivalent documents or, if it considers that it has sufficient information before it, dispense with their production.

If the court so requires, a translation of the documents shall be produced; the translation shall be certified by a person qualified to do so in one of the Contracting States.

Article 49

No legalization or other similar formality shall be required in respect of the documents referred to in Articles 46 or 47 or the second paragraph of Article 48, or in respect of a document appointing a representative ad litem.

Title IV

AUTHENTIC INSTRUMENTS AND COURT SETTLEMENTS

Article 50

A document which has been formally drawn up or registered as an authentic instrument and is enforceable in one Contracting State shall, in another Contracting State, be declared enforceable there, on application made in accordance with the procedures provided for in Article 31 et seq. The application may be refused only if enforcement of the instrument is contrary to public policy in the State addressed.

The instrument produced must satisfy the conditions necessary to establish its authenticity in the State of origin.

The provision of Section 3 of Title III shall apply as appropriate.

Article 51

A settlement which has been approved by a court in the course of proceedings and is enforceable in the State in which it was concluded shall be enforceable in the State addressed under the same conditions as authentic instruments.

Title V

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 52

In order to determine whether a party is domiciled in the Contracting State whose courts are seised of a matter, the Court shall apply its internal law.

If a party is not domiciled in the State whose courts are seised of the matter then, in order to determine whether the party is domiciled in another Contracting State, the court shall apply the law of that State.

Article 53

For the purposes of this Convention, the seat of a company or other legal person or association of natural or legal persons shall be treated as its domicile. However, in order to determine that seat, the court shall apply its rules of private international law.

In order to determine whether a trust is domiciled in the Contracting State whose courts are seised of the matter, the court shall apply its rules of private international law.

Title VI

TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

Article 54

The provisions of this Convention shall apply only to legal proceedings instituted and to documents formally drawn up or registered as authentic instruments after its entry into force in the State of origin and, where recognition or enforcement of a judgment or authentic instrument is sought, in the State addressed.

However, judgments given after the date of entry into force of this Convention between the State of origin and the State addressed in proceedings instituted before that date shall be recognized and enforced in accordance with the provisions of Title III if jurisdiction was founded upon rules which accorded with those provided for either in Title II of this Convention or in a convention concluded between the State of origin and the State addressed which was in force when the proceedings were instituted.

If the parties to a dispute concerning a contract had agreed in writing before 1 June 1988 for Ireland or before 1 January 1987 for the United Kingdom that the contract was to be governed by the law of Ireland or of a part of the United Kingdom, the courts of Ireland or of that part of the United Kingdom shall retain the right to exercise jurisdiction in the dispute.

Article 54a

For a period of three years from 1 November 1986 for Denmark and from 1 June 1988 for Ireland, jurisdiction in maritime matters shall be determined in these States not only in accordance with the provisions of Title II, but also in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs 1 to 6 following. However, upon the entry into force of the International Convention relating to the arrest of sea-going ships, signed at Brussels on 10 May 1952, for one of these States, these provisions shall cease to have effect for that State.

• (a) the claimant is domiciled in the latter State; or

• (b) the claim arose in the latter State; or

• (c) the claim concerns the voyage during which the arrest was made or could have been made; or

• (d) the claim arises out of a collision or out of damage caused by a ship to another ship or to goods or persons on board either ship, either by the execution or non-execution of a manoeuvre or by the non-observance of regulations; or

• (e) the claim is for salvage; or

• (f) the claim is in respect of a mortgage or hypothecation of the ship arrested.

• (a) damage caused by any ship either in collision or otherwise;

• (b) loss of life or personal injury caused by any ship or occurring in connection with the operation on any ship;

• (c) salvage;

• (d) agreement relating to the use or hire of any ship whether by charterparty or otherwise;

• (e) agreement relating to the carriage of goods in any ship whether by charterparty or otherwise;

• (f) loss of or damage to goods including baggage carried in any ship;

• (g) general average;

• (h) bottomry;

• (i) towage;

• (j) pilotage;

• (k) goods or materials wherever supplied to a ship for her operation or maintenance;

• (l) construction, repair or equipment of any ship or dock charges and dues;

• (m) wages of masters, officers or crew;

• (n) master’s disbursements, including disbursements made by shippers, charterers or agents on behalf of a ship or her owner;

• (o) dispute as to the title to or ownership of any ship;

• (p) disputes between co-owners of any ship as to the ownership, possession, employment or earnings of that ship;

• (q) the mortgage or hypothecation of any ship.

Title VII

RELATIONSHIPS TO OTHER CONVENTIONS

Article 55

Subject to the provisions of the second subparagraph of Article 54, and of Article 56, this Convention shall, for the States which are parties to it, supersede the following conventions concluded between two or more of them:

— the Convention between Belgium and France on jurisdiction and the validity and enforcement of judgments, arbitration awards and authentic instruments, signed at Paris on 8 July 1899,

—the Convention between Belgium and the Netherlands on jurisdiction, bankruptcy, and the validity and enforcement of judgments, arbitration awards and authentic instruments, signed at Brussels on 28 March 1925,

—the Convention between France and Italy on the enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters, signed at Rome on 3 June 1930,

—the Convention between the United Kingdom and the French Republic providing for the reciprocal enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters, with Protocol, signed at Paris on 18 January 1934,

—the Convention between the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Belgium providing for the reciprocal enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters, with Protocol, signed at Brussels on 2 May 1934,

—the Convention between Germany and Italy on the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters, signed at Rome on 9 March 1936,

—the Convention between the Kingdom of Belgium and Austria on the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments and authentic instruments relating to maintenance obligations, signed at Vienna on 25 October 1957,

—the Convention between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Kingdom of Belgium on the mutual recognition and enforcement of judgments, arbitration awards and authentic instruments in civil and commercial matters, signed at Bonn on 30 June 1958,

—the Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Italian Republic on the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters, signed at Rome on 17 April 1959,

—the Convention between the Federal Republic of Germany and Austria on the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments, settlements and authentic instruments in civil and commercial matters, signed at Vienna on 6 June 1959,

—the Convention between the Kingdom of Belgium and Austria on the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments, arbitral awards and authentic instruments in civil and commercial matters, signed at Vienna on 16 June 1959,

—the Convention between the United Kingdom and the Federal Republic of Germany for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters, signed at Bonn on 14 July 1960,

—the Convention between the United Kingdom and Austria providing for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters, signed at Vienna on 14 July 1961, with amending Protocol signed at London on 6 March 1970,

—the Convention between the Kingdom of Greece and the Federal Republic of Germany for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments, settlements and authentic instruments in civil and commercial matters, signed in Athens on 4 November 1961,

— the Convention between the Kingdom of Belgium and the Italian Republic on the recognition and enforcement of judgments and other enforceable instruments in civil and commercial matters, signed at Rome on 6 April 1962,

—the Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Federal Republic of Germany on the mutual recognition and enforcement of judgments and other enforceable instruments in civil and commercial matters, signed at The Hague on 30 August 1962,

—the Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Austria on the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments and authentic instruments in civil and commercial matters, signed at The Hague on 6 February 1963,

—the Convention between France and Austria on the recognition and enforcement of judgments and authentic instruments in civil and commercial matters, signed at Vienna on 15 July 1966,

—the Convention between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Italy for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters, signed at Rome on 7 February 1964, with amending Protocol signed at Rome on 14 July 1970,

—the Convention between the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of the Netherlands providing for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil matters, signed at The Hague on 17 November 1967,

—the Convention between Spain and France on the recognition and enforcement of judgments and arbitration awards in civil and commercial matters, signed at Paris on 28 May 1969,

—the Convention between Luxembourg and Austria on the recognition and enforcement of judgments and authentic instruments in civil and commercial matters, signed at Luxembourg on 29 July 1971,

—the Convention between Italy and Austria on the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters, of judicial settlements and of authentic instruments, signed at Rome on 16 November 1971,

—the Convention between Spain and Italy regarding legal aid and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters, signed at Madrid on 22 May 1973,

—the Convention between Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark on the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil matters, signed at Copenhagen on 11 October 1977,

—the Convention between Austria and Sweden on the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil matters, signed at Stockholm on 16 September 1982,

—the Convention between Spain and the Federal Republic of Germany on the recognition and enforcement of judgments, settlements and enforceable authentic instruments in civil and commercial matters, signed at Bonn on 14 November 1983,

—the Convention between Austria and Spain on the recognition and enforcement of judgments, settlements and enforceable authentic instruments in civil and commercial matters, signed at Vienna on 17 February 1984,

—the Convention between Finland and Austria on the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil matters, signed at Vienna on 17 November 1986,

and, in so far as it is in force:

—the Treaty between Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg on jurisdiction, bankruptcy, and the validity and enforcement of judgments, arbitration awards and authentic instruments, signed at Brussels on 24 November 1961.

Article 56

The Treaty and the conventions referred to in Article 55 shall continue to have effect in relation to matters to which this Convention does not apply.

They shall continue to have effect in respect of judgments given and documents formally drawn up or registered as authentic instruments before the entry into force of this Convention.

Article 57

• (a) this Convention shall not prevent a court of a Contracting State which is a party to a convention on a particular matter from assuming jurisdiction in accordance with that Convention, even where the defendant is domiciled in another Contracting State which is not a party to that Convention. The court hearing the action shall, in any event, apply Article 20 of this Convention;

• (b) judgments given in a Contracting State by a court in the exercise of jurisdiction provided for in a convention on a particular matter shall be recognized and enforced in the other Contracting State in accordance with this Convention.

Where a convention on a particular matter to which both the State of origin and the State addressed are parties lays down conditions for the recognition or enforcement of judgments, those conditions shall apply. In any event, the provisions of this Convention which concern the procedure for recognition and enforcement of judgments may be applied.

Article 58

Until such time as the Convention on jurisdiction and the enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters, signed at Lugano on 16 September 1988, takes effect with regard to France and the Swiss Confederation, this Convention shall not affect the rights granted to Swiss nationals by the Convention between France and the Swiss Confederation on jurisdiction and enforcement of judgments in civil matters, signed at Paris on 15 June 1869.

Article 59

This Convention shall not prevent a Contracting State from assuming, in a convention on the recognition and enforcement of judgments, an obligation towards a third State not to recognize judgments given in other Contracting States against defendants domiciled or habitually resident in the third State where, in cases provided for in Article 4, the judgment could only be founded on a ground of jurisdiction specified in the second paragraph of Article 3.

However, a Contracting State may not assume an obligation towards a third State not to recognize a judgment given in another Contracting State by a court basing its jurisdiction on the presence within that State of property belonging to the defendant, or the seizure by the plaintiff of property situated there:

Title VIII

FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 60

[deleted]

Article 61

This Convention shall be ratified by the signatory States. The instruments of ratification shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the Council of the European Communities.

Article 62

This Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the third month following the deposit of the instrument of ratification by the last signatory State to take this step.

Article 63

The Contracting States recognize that any State which becomes a member of the European Economic Community shall be required to accept this Convention as a basis for the negotiations between the Contracting States and that State necessary to ensure the implementation of the last paragraph of Article 220 of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community.

The necessary adjustments may be the subject of a special convention between the Contracting States of the one part and the new Member States of the other part.

Article 64

The Secretary-General of the Council of the European Communities shall notify the signatory States of:

• (a) the deposit of each instrument of ratification;

• (b) the date of entry into force of this Convention;

• (c) [deleted]

• (d) any declaration received pursuant to Article IV of the Protocol;

• (e) any communication made pursuant to Article VI of the Protocol.

Article 65

The Protocol annexed to this Convention by common accord of the Contracting States shall form an integral part thereof.

Article 66

This Convention is concluded for an unlimited period.

Article 67

Any Contracting State may request the revision of this Convention. In this event, a revision conference shall be convened by the President of the Council of the European Communities.

Article 68

This Convention, drawn up in a single original in the Dutch, French, German and Italian languages, all four texts being equally authentic, shall be deposited in the archives of the Secretariat of the Council of the European Communities. The Secretary-General shall transmit a certified copy to the Government of each signatory State.

[Signatures of the designated plenipotentiaries]

PROTOCOL

The High Contracting Parties have agreed upon the following provisions, which shall be annexed to the Convention:

Article I

Any person domiciled in Luxembourg who is sued in a court of another Contracting State pursuant to Article 5 (1) may refuse to submit to the jurisdiction of that court. If the defendant does not enter an appearance the court shall declare of its own motion that it has no jurisdiction.

An agreement conferring jurisdiction, within the meaning of Article 17, shall be valid with respect to a person domiciled in Luxembourg only if that person has expressly and specifically so agreed.

Article II

Without prejudice to any more favourable provisions of national laws, persons domiciled in a Contracting State who are being prosecuted in the criminal courts of another Contracting State of which they are not nationals for an offence which was not intentionally committed may be defended by persons qualified to do so, even if they do not appear in person.

However, the court seised of the matter may order appearance in person; in the case of failure to appear, a judgment given in the civil action without the person concerned having had the opportunity to arrange for his defence need not be recognized or enforced in the other Contracting States.

Article III

In proceedings for the issue of an order for enforcement, no charge, duty or fee calculated by reference to the value of the matter in issue may be levied in the State in which enforcement is sought.

Article IV

Judicial and extrajudicial documents drawn up in one Contracting State which have to be served on persons in another Contracting State shall be transmitted in accordance with the procedures laid down in the conventions and agreements concluded between the Contracting States.

Unless the State in which service is to take place objects by declaration to the Secretary-General of the Council of the European Communities, such documents may also be sent by the appropriate public officers of the State in which the document has been drawn up directly to the appropriate public officers of the State in which the addressee is to be found. In this case the officer of the State of origin shall send a copy of the document to the officer of the State applied to who is competent to forward it to the addressee. The document shall be forwarded in the manner specified by the law of the State applied to. The forwarding shall be recorded by a certificate sent directly to the officer of the State of origin.

Article V

The jurisdiction specified in Articles 6 (2) and 10 in actions on a warranty or guarantee or in any other third-party proceedings may not be resorted to in the Federal Republic of Germany or in Austria. Any person domiciled in another Contracting State may be sued in the courts:

—of the Federal Republic of Germany, pursuant to Articles 68, 72, 73 and 74 of the code of civil procedure (Zivilprozessordnung) concerning third-party notices,

—of Austria, pursuant to Article 21 of the code of civil procedure (Zivilprozessordnung) concerning third-party notices.

Judgments given in the other Contracting States by virtue of Article 6 (2) or 10 shall be recognized and enforced in the Federal Republic of Germany and in Austria in accordance with Title III. Any effects which judgments given in those States may have on third parties by application of the provisions in the preceding paragraph shall also be recognized in the other Contracting States.

Article Va

In matters relating to maintenance, the expression ‘court’ includes the Danish administrative authorities.

In Sweden, in summary proceedings concerning orders to pay (betalningsföreläggande) and assistance (handräckning), the expression “court” includes the “Swedish enforcement service” (kronofogdemyndighet).

Article Vb

In proceedings involving a dispute between the master and a member of the crew of a sea-going ship registered in Denmark, in Greece, in Ireland or in Portugal, concerning remuneration or other conditions of service, a court in a Contracting State shall establish whether the diplomatic or consular officer responsible for the ship has been notified of the dispute. It shall stay the proceedings so long as he has not been notified. It shall of its own motion decline jurisdiction if the officer, having been duly notified, has exercised the powers accorded to him in the matter by a consular convention, or in the absence of such a convention has, within the time allowed, raised any objection to the exercise of such jurisdiction.

Article Vc

Articles 52 and 53 of this Convention shall, when applied by Article 69 (5) of the Convention for the European patent for the common market, signed at Luxembourg on 15 December 1975, to the provisions relating to ‘residence’ in the English text of that Convention, operate as if ‘residence’ in that text were the same as ‘domicile’ in Articles 52 and 53.

Article Vd

Without prejudice to the jurisdiction of the European Patent Office under the Convention on the grant of European patents, signed at Munich on 5 October 1973, the courts of each Contracting State shall have exclusive jurisdiction, regardless of domicile, in proceedings concerned with the registration or validity of any European patent granted for that State which is not a Community patent by virtue of the provisions of Article 86 of the Convention for the European patent for the common market, signed at Luxembourg on 15 December 1975.

Article Ve

Arrangements relating to maintenance obligations concluded with administrative authorities or authenticated by them shall also be regarded as authentic instruments within the meaning of the first paragraph of Article 50 of the Convention.

Article VI

The Contracting States shall communicate to the Secretary-General of the Council of the European Communities the text of any provisions of their laws which amend either those articles of their laws mentioned in the Convention or the lists of courts specified in Section 2 of Title III of the Convention.

[Signatures of the designated plenipotentiaries]

Text in the Irish language of the 1968 Convention as amended by the 1978 Accession Convention, the 1982 Accession Convention, the 1989 Accession Convention and the 1996 Accession Convention¹

COINBHINSIÚN

ar dhlínse agus ar fhorghníomhú breithiúnas in ábhair shibhialta agus tráchtála

BROLLACH

TÁ NA hARDPHÁIRTITHE CONARTHACHA SA CHONRADH AG BUNÚ CHOMHPHOBAL EACNAMAÍOCHTA NA hEORPA,

ÓS MIAN LEO go gcuirfear i ngníomh na forálacha in Airteagal 220 den Chonradh sin ar ghabh siad orthu féin dá mbua a áirithiú go simpleofaí na foirmiúlachtaí a bhaineann le breithiúnais ó chúirteanna nó ó bhinsí a aithint agus a fhorghníomhú go cómhalartach;

ÓS É A MIANGAS go neartófar sa Chomhphobal an chosaint dhlíthiúil ar dhaoine atá bunaithe ann;

DE BHRÍ gur gá chun na críche sin dlínse idirnáisiúnta a gcúirteanna a chinneadh, aithint a éascú agus nós imeachta gasta a thabhairt isteach chun a áirithiú go bhforghníomhófar breithiúnais, ionstraimí barántúla agus socraíochtaí cúirte;

TAR ÉIS CINNEADH ar an gCoinbhinsiún seo a chur i gcrích agus cuige sin tar éis na daoine seo a leanas a cheapadh mar Lánchumhachtaigh:

(Lánchumhachtaigh arna gceapadh ag na Ballstáit)

NOCH A RINNE, i dtionól na Comhairle, tar éis dóibh a lánchumhachtaí, agus iad i bhfoirm cheart chuí, a thabhairt ar aird dáchéile,

COMHAONTÚ MAR A LEANAS:

TEIDEAL I

RAON FEIDHME

Airteagal 1

Beidh feidhm leis an gCoinbhinsiún seo in ábhair shibhialta agus tráchtála, cibé cineál cúirte nó binse a bheidh i gceist. Eisiatar ónaréim, go háirithe, cúrsaí ioncaim, custaim agus riaracháin.

Eisiatar ó fheidhm an Choinbhinsiúin:

TEIDEAL II

DLÍNSE

ROINN 1

Forálacha Ginearálta

Airteagal 2

Faoi réir fhorálacha an Choinbhinsiúin seo, beidh daoine a bhfuil sainchónaí orthu i Stát Conarthach inagartha, cibé náisiúntacht atá acu, i gcúirteanna an Stáit sin.

Daoine nach náisiúnaigh den Stát ina bhfuil sainchónaí orthu, beidh siad faoi rialú ag na rialacha dlínse a bhaineann le náisiúnaigh an Stáit sin.

Airteagal 3

Daoine a bhfuil sainchónaí orthu i Stát Conarthach, ní féidir iad a agairt i gcúirteanna Stáit Chonarthaigh eile ach amháin de bhua na rialacha atá leagtha síos i Ranna 2 go 6 den Teideal seo.

Go háirithe ní bheidh na forálacha seo a leanas infheidhme ina gcoinne:

—sa Bheilg: Airteagal 15 den chód sibhialta (Code civil — Burgerlijk Wetboek) agus Airteagal 638 den chód breithiúnach (Code judiciaire — Gerechtelijk Wetboek),

—sa Danmhairg: Airteagal 246(2) agus (3) den dlí ar nós imeachta sibhialta (lov om rettens pleje),

—i bPoblacht Chónaidhme na Gearmáine: Airteagal 23 de chód an nós imeachta shibhialta (Zivilprozeβordnung),

—sa Ghréig: Airteagal 40 de chód an nós imeachta shibhialta (Kώδικαζ Πoλιτικήζ Δικoνoμíαζ)

—sa Fhrainc: Airteagail 14 agus 15 den chód sibhialta (Code civil),

—in Éirinn: na rialacha á chumasú dlínse a bhunú ar dhoiciméad tionscanta na n-imeachtaí a bheith arna sheirbheáil ar an gcosantóir le linn dó bheith in éirinn go sealadach,

—san Iodáil: Airteagal 2 agus Airteagal 4, Uimh. 1 agus 2, de chód an nós imeachta shibhialta (Codice di procedura civile),

—i Lucsamburg: Airteagail 14 agus 15 den chód sibhialta (Code civil),

—san Ostair: Airteagal 99 den Dlí ar Dhlínse Chúirte (Jurisdiktionsnorm),

—san ísiltír: Airteagal 126(3) agus Airteagal 127 de chód an nós imeachta shibhialta (Wetboek van Burgerlijke Rechtsvordering),

—sa Phortaingéil: Airteagail 65(1)(c), 65(2) agus 65A(c) de chód an nós imeachta shibhialta (Código de Processo Civil) agus Airteagal 11 de chód an nós imeachta saothair (Código de Processo de Trabalho),

—san Fhionlainn: an dara, an tríú agus an ceathrú habairt den chéad mhír de Roinn 1 de Chaibidil 10 de Chód an Nós Imeachta Bhreithiúnaigh (oikeudenkäymiskaari/rättegångsbalken),

—sa tSualainn: an chéad abairt den chéad mír de Roinn 3 de Chaibidil 10 de Chód an Nós Imeachta Bhreithiúnaigh (rättegångsbalken),

—sa Ríocht Aontaithe: na rialacha á chumasú dlínse a bhunú:

• (a) ar dhoiciméad tionscanta na n-imeachtaí a bheith arna sheirbheáil ar an gcosantóir le linn dó bheith sa Ríocht Aontaithe go sealadach; nó

• (b) ar mhaoin leis an gcosantóir a bheith sa Ríocht Aontaithe; nó

• (c) ar urghabháil ag an ngearánaí ar mhaoin sa Ríocht Aontaithe.

Airteagal 4

Mura bhfuil sainchónaí i Stát Conarthach ar an gcosantóir, rialófar dlínse na gcúirteanna i ngach Stát Conarthach de réir dhlí an Stáit sin, faoi réir fhorálacha Airteagal 16.

Aon duine a bhfuil sainchónaí air i Stát Conarthach, cibé náisiúntacht atá aige, féadfaidh sé, ar nós náisiúnaigh an Stáit sin, leas a bhaint sa Stát sin, i gcoinne an chosantóra sin, as na rialacha dlínse atá i bhfeidhm ann agus go háirithe as na cinn a fhoráiltear sa dara mír d'Airteagal 3.

ROINN 2

Dlínse speisialta

Airteagal 5

Duine a bhfuil sainchónaí air i Stát Conarthach, féadfar é a agairt i Stát Conarthach eile:

• (a) a gabhadh an last nó an lucht áirithe chun an íocaíocht sin a urrú; nó

• (b) a bhféadfaí é a ghabháil amhlaidh, ach gur tugadh bannaí nó urrús eile;

ar an gcoinníoll nach mbeidh feidhm leis an bhforáil seo ach amháin nuair a éilítear go bhfuil leas ag an gcosantóir sa last nó sa lucht nó go raibh leas den sórt sin aige tráth na tarrthála.

Airteagal 6

Féadfar duine a bhfuil sainchónaí air i Stát Conarthach a agairt freisin:

Airteagal 6a

Más rud é de bhua an Choinbhinsiúin seo go bhfuil dlínse ag cúirt Stáit Chonarthaigh i gcaingne maidir le dliteanas a thig as úsáid nó oibriú loinge, beidh dlínse freisin ag an gcúirt sin, nó ag aon chúirt eile a bheidh curtha ina hionad chun na críche sin le dlí intíre an Stáit sin, i gcás éilimh chun an dliteanas sin a theorannú.

ROINN 3

Dlínse in ábhair a bhaineann le hárachas

Airteagal 7

In ábhair a bhaineann le hárachas, cinnfear dlínse de réir na Roinne seo, gan dochar d'fhorálacha Airteagail 4 agus 5(5).

Airteagal 8

Féadfar árachóir ar a bhfuil sainchónaí i Stát Conarthach a agairt:

Árachóir nach bhfuil sainchónaí air i Stát Conarthach ach a bhfuil brainse nó gníomhaireacht nó bunaíocht eile aige i gceann de na Stáit Chonarthacha, measfar, i gcás díospóidí a thiocfaidh ar barr de dhroim oibríochtaí an bhrainse nó na gníomhaireachta nó na bunaíochta, sainchónaí a bheith air sa Stát sin.

Airteagal 9

Féadfar fairis sin an t-árachóir a agairt sna cúirteanna don áit inar tharla an teagmhas díobhálach más é a bhíonn i gceist árachas i leith dliteanais nó árachas ar mhaoin dhochorraithe. Is é an dála céanna é má chumhdaítear maoin shochorraithe agus maoin dhochorraithe leis an bpolasaí céanna árachais agus go dtéann an teagmhas céanna chun dochair dóibh araon.

Airteagal 10

I gcás árachais i leith dliteanais, féadfar mar an gcéanna, má cheadaíonn dlí na cúirte é, an t-árachóir a uamadh in imeachtaí a thionscain an duine díobhálaithe i gcoinne an árachaí.

Beidh feidhm le forálacha Airteagail 7, 8 agus 9 i gcás caingne a thionscain an duine díobhálaithe go díreach i gcoinne an árachóra, má cheadaítear na caingne díreacha sin.

Má fhorálan an dlí maidir leis na caingne díreacha sin go bhféadfar sealbhóir an pholasaí nó an t-árachaí a uamadh mar pháirtí sa chaingean, beidh dlínse ag an gcúirt chéanna ina leith.

Airteagal 11

Gan dochar d'fhorálacha an tríú mír d'Airteagal 10, ní féidir leis an árachóir imeachtaí a thionscnamh ach amháin i gcúirteanna an Stáit Chonarthaigh ina bhfuil sainchónaí ar an gcosantóir, cibé acu sealbhóir an pholasaí nó an t-árachaí nó tairbhí é.

Ní dhéanfaidh forálacha na Roinne seo difear don cheart chun frithéileamh a thabhairt sa chúirt ina bhfuil an t-éileamh bunaidh ar feitheamh, de réir na Roinne seo.

Airteagal 12

Ní féidir imeacht ó fhorálacha na Roinne seo ach amháin trí chomhaontú i dtaobh dlínse:

Airteagal 12a

Is iad seo a leanas na fiontair dá dtagraítear in Airteagal 12(5):

• (a) do longa farraige, do chóracha amach ón gcladach nó ar muir, nó d'aerárthaí, de dhroim guaiseanna a bhaineann lena n-úsáid chun críoch tráchtála;

• (b) d'earraí faoi bhealach, seachas bagáiste paisinéirí, agus iad á n-iompar go bun a mbealaigh nó ar chuid dá mbealach ag na longa nó na haerárthaí sin;

• (a) a thig as úsáid nó oibriú long, córacha nó aerárthaí mar a luaitear in 1(a) thuas sa mhéid nach gcuireann dlí an Stáit Chonarthaigh a bhfuil na haerárthaí sin cláraithe ann toirmeasc le comhaontuithe ar dhlínse maidir le hárachú na bhfiontar sin;

• (b) i leith cailleadh nó damáiste a tharlóidh trí bhíthin earraí faoi bhealach mar a luaitear in 1(b) thuas;

ROINN 4

Dlínse ar chonarthaí tomhaltais

Airteagal 13

In imeachtaí maidir le conradh a chuir duine i gcrích chun críche a fhéadfar a mheas a bheith lasmuigh dá thrádáil nó dá ghairm, dá ngairtear an ‘tomhaltóir’ anseo feasta, cinnfear dlínse leis an Roinn seo, gan dochar d'fhorálacha Airteagail 4 agus 5(5), más éard é:

• (a) go ndearnadh, i Stát shainchónaí an tomhaltóra, cuireadh sonrach a dhíriú chuige nó fógraíocht sular cuireadh an conradh i gcrích, agus

• (b) go ndearna an tomhaltóir sa Stát sin na bearta ba ghá chun an conradh a chur i gcrích.

I gcás tomhaltóir do dhul i gconradh le páirtí nach bhfuil sainchónaí air i Stát Conarthach ach go bhfuil brainse nó gníomhaireacht nó bunaíocht eile aige i gceann de na Stáit Chonarthacha, measfar sainchónaí a bheith ar an bpáirtí sin sa Stát sin i gcás díospóidí a thiocfaidh ar barr de dhroim oibriochtaí an bhrainse nó na gníomhaireachta nó na bunaíochta.

Ní bhainfidh an Roinn seo le conarthaí iompair.

Airteagal 14

Féadfaidh tomhaltóir imeachtaí a thabhairt in aghaidh an pháirtí eile i gconradh i gcúirteanna an Stáit Chonarthaigh ina bhfuil sainchónaí ar an bpáirtí sin nó i gcúirteanna an Stáit Chonarthaigh ina bhfuil sainchónaí air féin.

Ní féidir le páirtí eile sa chonradh imeachtaí a thabhairt i gcoinne tomhaltóra ach amháin i gcúirteanna an Stáit Chonarthaigh ina bhfuil sainchónaí ar an tomhaltóir.

Ní dhéanfaidh na forálacha sea difear don cheart chun frithéileamh a thabhairt sa chúirt ina bhfuil an t-éileamh bunaidh ar feitheamh, de réir na Roinne seo.

Airteagal 15

Ní féidir imeacht ó fhorálacha na Roinne seo ach amháin trí chomhaontú:

ROINN 5

Dlínse eisiach

Airteagal 16

Beidh dlínse eisiach ag na cúirteanna seo a leanas, ar neamhchead do shainchónaí:

• (b) ach, in imeachtaí arb é is cuspóir dóibh tionóntachtaí maoine dochorraithe arna gcur i gcrích le haghaidh úsáide príobháidí sealadaí go ceann tréimhse nach faide ná sé mhí as a chéile, beidh dlínse freisin ag cúirteanna an Stáit Chonarthaigh ina bhfuil sainchónaí ar an gcosantóir, ar an gcoinníoll gur daoine nádúrtha iad an tiarna talún agus an tionónta agus go bhfuil sainchónaí orthu sa Stát Conarthach céanna;

ROINN 6

Dlínse a iarchur

Airteagal 17

Más rud é go ndearna na páirtithe, a bhfuil sainchónaí ar pháirtí nó páirtithe díobh i Stát Conarthach, combaontú chun dlínse a bheith ag cúirt nó cúirteanna de chuid Stáit Chonarthaigh aon díospóidí a réiteach a tharla nó a tharlóidh i ndáil le comhbhaint dhlíthiúil áirithe, beidh dlínse eisiach ag an gcúirt nó ag na cúirteanna sin. Ní foláir comhaontú den sórt sin a thugann dlínse:

• (a) a bheith i scríbhinn nó arna fhianú i scríbhinn; nó

• (b) a bheith i bhfoirm atá de réir cleachtas a bhunaigh na páirtithe eatarthu féin; nó

• (c) i dtrádáil nó tráchtáil idirnáisiúnta, a bheith i bhfoirm atá de réir gnáthaimh ar a bhfuil eolas nó ar ar cheart go mbeadh eolas ag na páirtithe agus a bhfuil aithne fhorleathan air sa trádáil nó sa tráchtáil sin agus a leantar go rialta é i measc páirtithe i gconarthaí den saghas a bhaineann leis an trádáil nó an tráchtáil áirithe atá i gceist.

I gcás comhaontú den sórt sin a bheith déanta ag páirtithe nach bhfuil sainchónaí ar aon pháirtí díobh i Stát Conarthach, ní bheidh aon dlínse ag cúirteanna Stát Conarthach eile ar a ndíospóidí mura rud é go mbeidh diúltaithe do dhlínse ag an gcúirt nó ag na cúirteanna a roghnaíodh.

An chúirt nó na cúirteanna de chuid Stáit Chonarthaigh dá dtugann ionstraim iontaobhais dlínse, beidh dlínse eisiach aici nó acu in aon imeachtaí a thabharfar i gcoinne socraitheora, iontaobhaí nó tairbhí, má bhíonn comhbhaint i gceist idir na daoine sin nó a gcearta nó a n-oibleagáidí faoin iontaobhas.

Ní bheidh aon fheidhm dhlíthiúil ag comhaontuithe nó forálacha ionstraime iontaobhais a thugann dlínse má bhíonn siad contrártha le forálacha Airteagal 12 nó 15, nó má bhíonn dlínse eisiach de bhua Airteagal 16 ag na cúirteanna a bhfuil airbheartaithe acu a ndlínse a eisiamh.

Más ar mhaithe le haon cheann amháin de na páirtithe a rinneadh an comhaontú chun dlínse a thabhairt, beidh ag an bpáirtí sin i gcónaí an ceart chun imeachtaí a thabhairt in aon chúirt eile a bhfuil dlínse aici de bhua an Choinbhinsiúin seo.

In ábhair a bhaineann le conarthaí fostaíochta aonair ní bheidh feidhm dhlíthiúil ag comhaontú chun dlínse a thabhairt ach amháin má rinneadh é tar éis don díospóid tarlú nó má bhaineann an fostaí leas as chun an cás a thabhairt os comhair cúirteanna seachas na cúirteanna don áit ina bhfuil sainchónaí ar an gcosantóir nó na cúirteanna dá dtagraítear in Airteagal 5(1).

Airteagal 18

Amach ó na cásanna ina bhfuil dlínse aici de bhua forálacha eile den Choinbhinsiún seo, beidh dlínse ag cúirt Stáit Chonarthaigh a dtaifeadfaidh cosantóir láithreas os a comhair. Ní bheidh feidhm leis an riail seo más conspóid na dlínse ba chuspóir don láithreas a thaifeadadh, nó má bhíonn dlínse eisiach ag cúirt eile ann de bhua Airteagal 16.

ROINN 7

Fíorú ar dhlínse agus ar inghlacthacht

Airteagal 19

Cúirt de chuid Stáit Chonarthaigh a dtabharfar os a comhair éileamh a bhaineann go príomha le hábhar a bhfuil dlínse eisiach ina leith ag cúirteanna Stáit Chonarthaigh eile de bhua Airteagal 16, dearbhóidh sí uaithi féin nach bhfuil aon dlínse aici.

Airteagal 20

Má dhéntar cosantóir a bhfuil sainchónaí air i Stát Conarthach amháin a agairt i gcúirt de chuid Stáit Chonarthaigh eile agus nach dtaifeadfaidh sé láthreas, dearbhóidh an chúirt uaithi féin nach bhfuil aon dlínse aici atá bunaithe ar fhorálacha an Choinbhinsiúin seo.

Cuirfidh an chúirt bac ar na himeachtaí fad a bheifear gan a shuíomh go raibh caoi ag an gcosantóir doiciméad tionscanta na n-imeachtaí nó doiciméad comhionann a fháil in am trátha chun socrú a dhéanamh é féin a chosaint, nó go nedearnadh gach dícheall chuige sin.

Cuirfear in ionad fhorálacha na míre roimhe seo forálacha Airteagal 15 de Choinbhinsiún na Háige dar dáta 15 Samhain 1965 ar sheirbheáil doiciméad dlíthiúil agus seachdhlíthiúil in ábhair shibhialta nó tráchtála ar an gcoigríoch, má ba ghá doiciméad tionscanta na n-imeachtaí, nó fógra ina dtaobh, a sheoladh amach ar an gcoigríoch de réir an Choinbhinsiúin sin.

ROINN 8

Lis pendens — Caingne gaolmhara

Airteagal 21

Má dhéantar imeachtaí leis an gcúis chéanna caingne agus idir na páirtithe céanna a thionscnamh i gcúirteanna Stát Conarthach éagsúil, dlífidh cúirt ar bith seachas an chéad chúirt ar tugadh os a comhair iad bac a chur ar a himeachtaí, uaithi féin, go dtí go suífear dlínse na chéad chúirte ar tugadh os a comhair iad.

Má shuitear dlínse na chéad chúirte ar tugadh na himeachtaí os a comhair, dlífidh cúirt ar bith seachas an chéad chúirt ar tugadh os a comhair iad dlínse a dhiúltú i bhfabhar na chéad chúirte sin.

Airteagal 22

Má thionscnaítear caingne gaolmhara i gcúirteanna Stát Conarthach éagsúil, féadfaidh cúirt ar bith seachas an chéad chúirt artugadh os a comhair iad, le linn na caingne a bheith ar feitheamh ag an gcéad chéim, bac a chur ar a himeachtaí.

Féadfaidh cúirt seachas an chéad chúirt ar tugadh na caingne os a comhair dlínse a dhiúltú freisin, ar iarratas ó cheann de na páirtithe, má cheadaíonn dlí na cúirte sin caingne gaolmhara a dhlúthú agus go bhfuil dlínse i leith an dá chaingean ag an gcéad chúirt ar tugadh os a comhair iad.

Chun críocha an Airteagail seo, meastar caingne a bheith gaolmhar má bhíonn baint chomh dlúth sin acu le chéile go bhfuil séfóirsteanach iad a éisteacht agus breith a thabhairt orthu i dteannta a chéile ionas go seachnófaí breithiúnais bunoscionn le chéile mar ab fhéidir a theacht d'imeachtaí ar leithligh.

Airteagal 23

Má thagann caingne faoi dhlínse eisiach chúirteanna éagsúla, dlífidh cúirt ar bith seachas an chéad chúirt ar tugadh os a comhair iad dlínse a dhiúltú i bhfabhar na chéad chúirta sin.

ROINN 9

Bearta sealadacha lena n-áirítear bearta consantacha

Airteagal 24

Féadfar cibé bearta sealadacha, lena n-áirítear bearta cosantacha, a bheidh ar fáil faoi dhlí Stáit Chonarthaigh a iarraidh ar chúirteanna an Stáit sin, fiú más rud é, faoin gCoinbhinsiún seo, go bhfuil dlínse ag cúirteanna Stáit Chonarthaigh eile maidir le substaint an ábhair.

TEIDEAL III

AITHINT AGUS FORGHNíOMHÚ

Airteagal 25

Chun críocha an Choinbhinsiúin seo, ciallaíonn ‘breithiúnas’ aon bhreithiúnas arna thabhairt ag cúirt nó binse de chuid Stáit Chonarthaigh, cibé ainm a thugtar ar an mbreithiúnas, lena n-áirítear foraithne, ordú, breith, nó eascaire fhorghníomhaithe, mar aon le cinn-eadh ar chostais nó caiteachais ag oifigeach en chúirt.

ROINN 1

Aithint

Airteagal 26

Gheobhaidh breithiúnas a tugadh i Stát Conarthach aithint sna Stáit Chonarthacha eile gan aon nós imeachta speisialta a bheith riachtanach chuige sin.

Aon pháirtí leasmhar a thabharfaidh aithint bhreithiúnais faoi thrácht mar phríomhshaincheist i gconspóid, féadfaidh sé, de réir an nós imeachta dá bhforáiltear i Ranna 2 agus 3 den Teideal seo, iarratas a dhéanamh ar bhreith go ndlitear an breithiúnas a aithint.

Má bhíonn toradh imeachtaí i gcúirt de chuid Stáit Chonarthaigh a brath ar cheist theagmhasach aithinte a chinneadh, beidh dlínse ag an gcúirt sin ar an gceist sin.

Airteagal 27

Ní aithneofar breithiúnas:

Airteagal 28

Ina theannta sin, ní aithneofar breithiúnas má bhíonn sé contrártha le forálacha Roinn 3, 4 nó 5 de Theideal II, ná i gcas dá bhforáiltear in Airteagal 59.

Nuair a bheidh na forais dlínse a luaitear sa mhír roimhe seo faoi bhreithniú aige nó aici, beidh an t-údarás nó an chúirt chun a ndearn-adh an t-iarratas faoi cheangal ag na cinntí fíorais a ndearna cúirt an Stáit tionscnaimh a dlínse a bhunú orthu.

Faoi réir fhorálacha na chéad mhíre, ní féidir dlínse chúirt an Stáit tionscnaimh a athbhreithniú; ní bheidh a fhoráil i dtaobh ord poiblí dá dtagraítear in Airteagal 27(1) inchurtha chun feidhme ar na riala-cha maidir le dlínse.

Airteagal 29

Ní féidir i gcás ar bith breithiúnas coigríche a athbhreithiú ó thaobh a shubstainte.

Airteagal 30

Féadfaidh cúirt i Stát Conarthach ar a n-iarrfar aithint bhreith-iúnais a tugadh i Stát Conarthach eile bac a chur ar na himeachtaí má taisceadh gnáthachomharc i gcoinne an bhreithiúnais sin.

Féadfaidh cúirt i Stát Conarthach ina n-iarrfar aithint do bhreith-iúnas a tugadh in éirinn nó sa Ríocht Aontaithe bac a chur ar na himeachtaí má bhíonn forghníomhú curtha ar fionraí, mar gheall ar achomharc, sa Stát tionscnaimh.

ROINN 2

Forghníomhú

Airteagal 31

Déanfar breithiúnas a tugadh i Stát Conarthach agus is infhorghní-omhaithe sa Stát sin a fhorghníomhú i Stát Conarthach eile nuair a bheidh sé dearbhaithe, ar iarratas ó aon pháirtí leasmhar, go bhfuil sé infhorghníomhaithe sa Stát eile sin.

Sa Ríocht Aontaithe, áfach, déanfar breithiúnas den sórt sin a fhorghníomhú i Sasana agus sa Bhreatain Bheag, in Albain, nó i dTuaisceart éireann nuair a bheidh sé cláraithe, ar iarratas ó aon pháirtí leasmhar, lena fhorghníomhú sa chuid sin den Ríocht Aontaithe.

Airteagal 32

Is chucu seo a bheidh an t-iarratas le déanamh:

—sa Bheilg, an tribunal de première instance nó rechtbank van eerste aanleg,

—sa Danmhairg, an byret,

—i bPoblacht Chónaidhme na Gearmáine, uachtarán dlísheomra den Landgericht,

— sa Ghréig, an Movoμελέζ Πρωτoδικεío,

—sa Spáinn, an Juzgado de Primera Instancia,

—sa Fhrainc, uachtarán an tribunal de grande instance,

—in Éirinn, an Ard-Chúirt,

—san Iodáil, an corte d'appello,

—i Lucsamburg, uachtarán an tribunal d'arrondissement,

—san Ostair, an Bezirksgericht,

—san ísiltír, uachtarán an arrondissementsrechtbank,

—sa Phortaingéil, an Tribunal Judicial de Círculo,

—san Fhionlainn, käräjäoikeus/tingsrätt,

—sa tSualainn, an Svea hovrätt,

—sa Ríocht Aontaithe,

• (a) i Sasana agus sa Bhreatain Bheag, an High Court of Justice nó, i gcás breithiúnais chothabhála, an Magistrates’ Court tríd an Secretary of State;

• (b) in Albain, an Court of Session nó, i gcás breithiúnais chothabhála, an Sheriff Court tríd an Secretary of State;

• (c) i dTuaisceart éireann, an High Court of Justice nó, i gcás breithiúnais chothabhála, an Magistrates’ Court tríd an Secretary of State.

Cinnfear dlínse cúirteanna áitiúla de réir na háite a bhfuil sain-chónaí ar an bpáirtí a n-iarrtar forghníomhú ina choinne. Mura bhfuil sainchónaí air sa Stát a n-iarrtar an forghníomhú ann, cinnfear í de réir áit fhorghníomhaithe.

Airteagal 33

Is de réir dhlí an Stáit a n-iarrtar forghníomhú ann a rialófar an nós imeachta maidir leis an iarratas a thaisceadh.

Ní foláir don iarratasóir seoladh a thabhairt le haghaidh seirbheála próise i limistéar dlínse na cúirte chun a ndéantar an t-iarratas. Ach más rud é nach bhforálann dlí an Stáit a n-iarrtar forghníomhú ann seoladh mar sin a bheith le tabhairt, ceapfaidh an t-iarratasóir ion-adaí ad litem.

Ní foláir na doiciméid a luaitear in Airteagail 46 agus 47 a bheith i gceangal leis an iarratas.

Airteagal 34

Tabharfaidh an chúirt chun a ndéantar an t-iarratas a breith ar an iarratas gan mhoill agus ní fhéadfaidh an páirtí a n-iarrtar forghníomhú ina choinne aon aighneachtaí a dhéanamh maidir leis an iarratas ag an gcéim seo de na himeachtaí.

Ní féidir diúltú don iarratas ach ar chúis dá bhforáiltear in Airteagail 27 agus 28.

Ní féidir i gcás ar bith an breithiúnas coigríche a athbhreithniú ó thaobh a shubstainte.

Airteagal 35

Déanfaidh oifigeach iomchuí na cuírte, gan mhoill, an bhreith a tugadh ar an iarratas a chur in iúl don iarratasóir, de réir an nós imeachta a leagadh síos le dlí an Stáit a n-iarrtar forghníomhú ann.

Airteagal 36

Má údaraítear forghníomhú, féadfaidh an páirtí ar iarradh forghníomhú ina choinne achomharc a dhéanamh i gcoinne na brei-the laistigh de mhí ó lá seirbheála.

Má tá sainchónaí ar an bpáirtí sin i Stát Conarthach seachas an ceann inar tugadh an bhreith a d'údaraigh forghníomhú, beidh tré-imhse dhá mhí ann le haghaidh achomhairc agus rithfidh sí ó lá na seirbheála air féin go pearsante nó ag a ionad cónaithe. Ní féidir cur leis an tréimhse sin mar gheall ar fhad slí ó bhaile.

Airteagal 37

—sa Bheilg, sa tribunal de première instance nó rechtbank van eerste aanleg;

—sa Danmhairg, sa landsret;

—i bPoblacht Chónaidhme na Gearmáine, san Oberlan-desgericht;

—sa Ghréig, san Eϕετείo;

—sa Spáinn, san Audiencia Provincial;

—sa Fhrainc, sa cour d'appel;

—in éirinn, san Ard-Chúirt;

—san Iodáil, sa corte d'appello;

—i Lucsamburg, sa Cour supérieure de justice ina suí di mar chúirt achomhairc shibhialta;

—san Ostair, sa Bezirksgericht;

—san ísiltír, san arrondissementsrechtbank;

—sa Phortaingéil, sa Tribunal da Relação;

—san Fhionlainn, i hovioikeus/hovrätt;

—sa tSualainn, sa Svea hovrätt;

—sa Ríocht Aontaithe:

• (a) i Sasana agus sa Bhreatain Bheag, sa High Court of Justice nó, i gcás breithiúnais chothabhála, sa Magistrates’ Court;

• (b) in Albain, sa Court of Session nó, i gcás breithiúnais chothabhála, sa Sheriff Court;

• (c) i dTuaisceart éireann, sa High Court of Justice nó, i gcás breithiúnais chothabhála, sa Magistrates’ Court.

—sa Bheilg, sa Ghréig, sa Spáinn, sa Fhrainc, san Iodáil, i Luc-samburg agus san Isiltír, trí achomharc en cassation;

—sa Danmhairg, trí achomharc chuig an højesteret, le cead ón Aire Dlí agus Cirt;

—i bPoblacht Chónaidhme na Gearmáine, trí Rechtsbeschwerde;

—san Ostair, i gcás achomhairc, trí Revisionsrekurs agus, i gcás imeachtaí freasúra, trí Berufung lena ngabhann deis athbhreithnithe;

—in éirinn, trí achomharc ar phointe dlí chuig an gCúirt Uachtarach;

—sa Phortaingéil, trí achomharc ar phointe dlí;

—san Fhionlainn, trí achomharc chuig korkein oikeus/högsta domstolen;

—sa tSualainn, trí achomharc chuig Högsta domstolen;

—sa Ríocht Aontaithe, trí aon achomharc amháin eile ar phointe dlí.

Airteagal 38

Féadfaidh an chúirt ar tugadh an t-achomharc faoin gcéad mhír d' Airteagal 37 os a comhair, má iarrann an t-achomharcóir é, bac a chur leis na himeachtaí i gcás gnáthachomharc i gcoinne an bhrei-thiúnais a bheith taiscthe sa Stát tionscnaimh nó mura bhfuil an tré-imhse le haghaidh achomhairc den sórt sin dulta in éag fós; sa chás deiridh sin, féadfaidh an chúirt a shonrú cad é an tréimhse le haghaidh achomharc den sórt sin a thaisceadh.

Más in éirinn nó sa Ríocht Aontaithe a tugadh an breithiunas, measfar aon chineál achomhairc is indéanta sa Stát tionscnaimh a bheith ina ghnáthachomharc chun críocha na chéad mhíre.

Féadfaidh an chúirt freisin é a chur de choinníoll leis an bhforghní-omhú go dtabharfar don chúirt cibé urrús a chinnfidh sí.

Airteagal 39

Le linn na tréimhse a shonraítear le haghaidh achomhairc de bhun Airteagal 36 agus go dtí go mbeidh breith tugtha ar aon achomharc den sórt sin, ní féidir a dhéanamh maidir leis an bhforghníomhú ach amháin bearta cosanta in aghaidh mhaoin an pháirtí a n-iarrtar forghníomhú ina choinne.

Gabhfaidh údarás chun aon bhearta cosanta den sórt sin a ghla-cadh leis an mbreith a údaróidh forghníomhú.

Airteagal 40

—sa Bheilg, chuig an cour d'appel nó hof van beroep;

—sa Danmhairg, chuig an landsret;

— i bPoblacht Chónaidhme na Gearmáine, chuig an Oberlan-desgericht;

—sa Ghréig, chuig an Eϕετείo;

—sa Spáinn, chuig an Audiencia Provincial;

—sa Fhrainc, chuig an cour d'appel;

—in éirinn, chuig an Ard-Chúirt;

—san Iodáil, chuig an corte d'appello;

—i Lucsamburg, chuig an Cour supérieure de justice, ina suí di mar chúirt achomhairc shibhialta;

—san Ostair, chuig an Bezirksgericht;

—san ísiltír, chuig an gerechtshof;

—sa Phortaingéil, chuig an Tribunal da Relação;

—san Fhionlainn, chuig hovioikeus/hovrätten;

—sa tSualainn, chuig an Svea hovrätt;

—sa Ríocht Aontaithe:

• (a) i Sasana agus sa Bhreatain Bheag, chuig an High Court of Justice nó, i gcás breithiúnais chothabhála, chuig an Magistrates’ Court;

• (b) in Albain, chuig an Court of Session nó, i gcás breithiúnais chothabhála, chuig an Sheriff Court;

• (c) i dTuaisceart éireann, chuig an High Court of Justice nó, i gcás breithiúnais chothabhála, chuig an Magistrates’s Court.

Airteagal 41

Ní féidir breithiúnas a tugadh ar achomharc dá bhforáiltear in Airteagal 40 a chonspíid ach amháin:

—sa Bheilg, sa Ghréig, sa Spáinn, sa Fhrainc, san Iodáil, i Lucsamburg agus san ísiltír, trí achomharc en cassation;

—sa Danmhairg, trí achomharc chuig an højesteret, le cead ón Aire Dlí agus Cirt;

—i bPoblacht Chónaidhme na Gearmáine, trí Rechtsbeschwerde;

—in éirinn, trí achomharc ar phointe dlí chuig an gCúirt Uachtarach;

—san Ostair, trí Revisionsrekurs;

—sa Phortaingéil, trí achomharc ar phointe dlí;

—san Fhionlainn, trí achomharc chuig korkein oikeus/högsta domstolen;

—sa tSualainn, trí achomharc chuig Högsta domstolen;

— sa Ríocht Aontaithe, trí aon achomharc amháin eile ar phointe dlí.

Airteagal 42

Má bhíonn breithiúnas coigríche tugtha i leith ábhar éagsúil agus nach féidir forghníomhú a údarú ina dtaobh go léir, déanfaidh an chúirt forghníomhú a údarú i gcás ábhair amháin nó níos mó díobh.

Féadfaidh iarratasóir forghníomhú páirteach ar bhreithiúnas a iarraidh.

Airteagal 43

Ní fhéadfar breithiúnas coigríche a d'ordaigh íocaióocht phionósach thréimhsiúil a fhorghníomhú sa Stát a n-iarrtar forghníomhú ann mura mbeidh méid na híocaíochta arna chinneadh go críochnai-theach ag cúirteanna an Stáit tionscnaimh.

Airteagal 44

Iarratasóir ar tugadh dó go hiomlán nó go páirteach, sa Stát tionscnaimh, cúnamh dlíthiúil nó díolúine ó chostais nó ó chaitea-chais, beidh teideal aige, sna nósanna imeachta dá bhforáiltear in Airteagail 32 go 35, chun tairbhiú den chúnamh dlíthiúil is fabhraí nó den dlíolúine is fairsinge ó chostais nó ó chaiteachais a fhoráiltear le dlí an Stáit chun a ndéantar an t-iarratas.