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You are here: BAILII >> Databases >> European Court of Human Rights >> B. v. ITALY - 32465/96 [2001] ECHR 146 (1 March 2001)
URL: http://www.bailii.org/eu/cases/ECHR/2001/146.html
Cite as: [2001] ECHR 146

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SECOND SECTION

CASE OF B. v. ITALY

(Application no. 32465/96)

JUDGMENT

(Friendly settlement)

STRASBOURG

1 March 2001

In the case of B. v. Italy,

The European Court of Human Rights (Second Section), sitting as a Chamber composed of:

Mr C.L. ROZAKIS, President,

Mr A.B. BAKA,

Mr B. CONFORTI,

Mr P. LORENZEN,

Mrs M. TSATSA-NIKOLOVSKA,

Mr E. LEVITS,

Mr A. KOVLER, judges,

and Mr E. FRIBERGH, Section Registrar,

Having deliberated in private on 8 February 2001,

Delivers the following judgment, which was adopted on that date:

PROCEDURE

1.  The case originated in an application (no. 32465/96) against Italy lodged with the European Commission of Human Rights (“the Commission”) under former Article 25 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (“the Convention”) by an Italian national, Mr B. (“the applicant”), on 1 March 1996.

2.  The applicant acted in person. The Italian Government (“the Government”) were represented by their Agent, Mr U. Leanza, and by their co-agent, Mr V. Esposito.

3.  The applicant complained about his prolonged inability - through lack of police assistance - to recover possession of his apartment and about the duration of the eviction proceedings.

4.  On 30 May 2000 after obtaining the parties’ observations, the Court declared the application admissible.

5.  On 12 December 2000 and on 20 December 2000, the applicant and the Agent of the Government respectively submitted formal declarations proposing a friendly settlement of the case.

THE FACTS

6.  The applicant is the owner of an apartment in Florence which he had let to G.M. In a registered letter of 18 May 1987, the applicant informed the tenant that he intended to terminate the lease on expiry of the term on 31 December 1987 and asked her to vacate the premises by that date.

In a writ served on the tenant on 25 September 1987, the applicant reiterated his intention to terminate the lease and summoned the tenant to appear before the Florence Magistrate.

7.  By a decision of 22 October 1987, which was made enforceable on 6 November 1987, the Florence Magistrate upheld the validity of the notice to quit and ordered that the premises be vacated by 31 December 1988.

8.  On 15 March 1989, the applicant made a statutory declaration that he urgently required the premises as accommodation for himself.

9.  On 14 April 1989, the applicant served notice on the tenant requiring her to vacate the premises. On 25 May 1989, he served notice on the tenant informing her that the order for possession would be enforced by a bailiff on 30 May 1989.

10.  Between 30 May 1989 and 23 March 1999, the bailiff made 18 attempts to recover possession. Each attempt proved unsuccessful, as the applicant was never granted the assistance of the police in enforcing the order for possession.

11.  On 23 July 1999, the applicant, being himself threatened to be evicted from the apartment he was forced to lease, asked the Florence District Court to set a fresh date for eviction.

THE LAW

12.  On 20 December 2000, the Court received the following declaration from the Government:

“I declare that the Government of Italy offer to pay 15,000,000 ITL to Mr B. with a view to securing a friendly settlement of the application registered under no. 32465/96. This sum shall cover any pecuniary and non-pecuniary damage as well as costs, and it will be payable immediately after the notification of the judgment delivered by the Court pursuant to the Article 39 of the European Convention on Human Rights. This payment will constitute the final resolution of the case.

This declaration does not entail any acknowledgement by the Government of a violation of the European Convention on Human Rights in the present case.

The Government further undertake not to request the reference of the case to the Grand Chamber under Article 43 § 1 of the Convention.”

13.  On 12 December 2000 the Court received the following declaration signed by the applicant:

“I note that the Government of Italy are prepared to pay a sum totalling 15,000,000 ITL covering both pecuniary and non-pecuniary damage and costs to Mr B. with a view to securing a friendly settlement of application no. 32465/96 pending before the Court.

I accept the proposal and waive any further claims in respect of Italy relating to the facts of this application. I declare that the case is definitely settled.

This declaration is made in the context of a friendly settlement which the Government and the applicant have reached.

I further undertake not to request the reference of the case to the Grand Chamber under Article 43 § 1 of the Convention after the delivery of the Court’s judgment.”

14.  The Court takes note of the agreement reached between the parties (Article 39 of the Convention). It is satisfied that the settlement is based on respect for human rights as defined in the Convention or its Protocols (Article 37 § 1 in fine of the Convention and Rule 62 § 3 of the Rules of Court).

15.  Accordingly, the case should be struck out of the list.

FOR THESE REASONS, THE COURT UNANIMOUSLY

1.  Decides to strike the case out of the list;

2.  Takes note of the parties’ undertaking not to request a rehearing of the case before the Grand Chamber.

Done in English, and notified in writing on 1 March 2001 pursuant to Rule 77 §§ 2 and 3 of the Rules of Court.

Erik FRIBERGH Christos ROZAKIS

Registrar President

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