GIROLAMI ZURLA v. ITALY - 32404/96 [2001] ECHR 573 (4 October 2001)

JUDGMENT (Friendly Settlement) STRASBOURG 4 October 2001 In the case of Girolami Zurla 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 G. BONELLO, Mrs M. TSATSA-NIKOLOVSKA, Mr E. LEVITS, Mr A. KOVLER, judges , Mr G. RAIMONDI, ad hoc judge , and Mr E. FRIBERGH, Section Registrar , Having deliberated in private on 13 September 2001, Delivers the following judgment, which was adopted on that date: PROCEDURE 1. The case originated in an application (no. 32404/96) 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, Mrs Gabriella Girolami Zurla (“the applicant”), on 9 July 1996. 2. The applicant was represented by Mr B. Micolano, a lawyer practising in Bologna. 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 her prolonged inability - through lack of police assistance - to recover possession of her apartment and about the duration of the eviction proceedings. 4. On 5 April 2001, after obtaining the parties’ observations, the Court declared the application admissible. 5. On 19 June 2001 and on 12 July 2001, 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 Bologna, which she had let to E. D. O. 7. In a writ served on the tenant on 11 June 1991, the applicant informed her that she intended to terminate the lease on expiry of the term on 31 December 1991 and summoned her to appear before the Bologna Magistrate. 8. By a decision of 3 July 1991, which was made enforceable on the same day, the Bologna Magistrate upheld the validity of the notice to quit and ordered that the premises be vacated by 31 October 1992. 9. On 3 November 1992, the applicant served notice on the tenant requiring her to vacate the premises. 10. On 20 November 1992, she served notice on the tenant informing her that the order for possession would be enforced by a bailiff on 21 January 1993. 11. Between 21 January 1993 and 14 November 1996, the bailiff made sixteen attempts to recover possession. Each attempt proved unsuccessful, as, under the statutory provisions providing for the staggering of evictions, the applicant was not entitled to police assistance in enforcing the order for possession. 12. At the end of November 1996, the tenant vacated the premises. THE LAW 13. On 13 July 2001, the Court received the following declaration from the Government: “I declare that the Government of Italy offer to pay 20,000,000 ITL to Mrs Gabriella Girolami Zurla with a view to securing a friendly settlement of the application registered under no. 32404/96. This sum shall cover any pecuniary and non-pecuniary damage as well as costs, and it will be payable within three months starting from the notification of the judgment delivered by the Court pursuant to 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.” 14. On 29 June 2001, the Court received the following declaration signed by the applicant: “I note that the Government of Italy are prepared to pay a sum totalling 20,000,000 ITL covering both pecuniary and non-pecuniary damage and costs to Mrs Gabriella Girolami Zurla with a view to securing a friendly settlement of application no. 32404/96 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.” 15. 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). 16. 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 4 October 2001 pursuant to Rule 77 §§ 2 and 3 of the Rules of Court. Erik FRIBERGH Christos ROZAKIS Registrar President BAILII: Copyright Policy | Disclaimers | Privacy Policy | Feedback | Donate to BAILII