TIEGHI v. ITALY - 33253/96 [2001] ECHR 247 (5 April 2001)

JUDGMENT (Friendly settlement) STRASBOURG 5 April 2001 In the case of Tieghi 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 V. STRážNICKá, Mr M. FISCHBACH, Mrs M. TSATSA-NIKOLOVSKA, Mr E. LEVITS, judges , and Mr E. FRIBERGH, Section Registrar , Having deliberated in private on 15 March 2001, Delivers the following judgment, which was adopted on that date: PROCEDURE 1. The case originated in an application (no. 33253/96) 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 Guglielmina Tieghi (“the applicant”), on 26 June 1996. 2. The applicant was represented by Mrs I. Bassano, a lawyer practising in Milan. 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 25 May 2000, after obtaining the parties’ observations, the Court declared the application admissible. 5. On 11 February 2001 and on 29 January 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 Milan, which she had let to G. D. The lease was due to expire on 29 June 1987. In a writ served on the tenant on 3 February 1987, the applicant informed the tenant of her intention to terminate the lease and summoned the tenant to appear before the Milan Magistrate. 7. By a decision of 23 February 1987, which was made enforceable on 6 March 1987, the Milan Magistrate upheld the validity of the notice to quit and ordered that the premises be vacated by 29 June 1988. 8. On 13 February 1990, the applicant served notice on the tenant requiring him to vacate the premises. 9. On 15 March 1990, she served notice on the tenant informing him that the order for possession would be enforced by a bailiff on 30 March 1990. 10. Between 30 March 1990 and 18 April 1997, the bailiff made 23 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. 11. On 11 June 1997, the applicant discontinued the eviction proceedings and accepted the tenant’s proposal to stipulate a new lease. THE LAW 12. On 29 January 2001, the Court received the following declaration from the Government: “I declare that the Government of Italy offer to pay 37,429,000 ITL to Mrs Guglielmina TIEGHI with a view to securing a friendly settlement of the application registered under no. 33253/96. This sum shall cover any pecuniary and non-pecuniary damage (30,000,000 ITL) as well as costs (7,429,000 ITL), and it will be payable immediately after 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.” 13. On 11 January 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 37,429,000 ITL (30,000,000 ITL for pecuniary and non-pecuniary damage and 7,429,000 ITL for costs) to Mrs Guglielmina TIEGHI with a view to securing a friendly settlement of application no. 33253/96 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 5 April 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