Jurisdiction and Enforcement of Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters (Belgium v. Switzerland)
OVERVIEW OF THE CASE
On 21 December 2009, the Kingdom of Belgium initiated proceedings against the Swiss Confederation in respect of a dispute concerning primarily the interpretation and application of the Lugano Convention of 16 September 1988 on jurisdiction and the enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters.
The Memorial of Belgium was filed on 23 November 2010. On 18 February 2011, Switzerland raised preliminary objections in respect of the jurisdiction of the Court and the admissibility of the Application.
By a letter dated 21 March 2011, the Agent of Belgium informed the Court that his Government “in concert with the Commission of the European Union, considers that it can discontinue the proceedings instituted [by Belgium] against Switzerland”.
Since Switzerland did not oppose the said discontinuance, the Court, placing on record the discontinuance by Belgium of the proceedings, ordered that the case be removed from its List (Order of 5 April 2011).
This overview is provided for information only and in no way involves the responsibility of the Court.