FIRST SECTION
CASE OF AMATO DEL RE v. ITALY
(Application no. 44968/98)
JUDGMENT
(Friendly Settlement)
STRASBOURG
7 May 2002
This judgment is final but it may be subject to editorial revision.
In the case of Amato Del Re v. Italy,
The European Court of Human Rights (First Section), sitting as a Chamber composed of:
MrC.L. Rozakis, President,
MrsF. Tulkens,
MrL. Ferrari Bravo,
MrP. Lorenzen,
MrsN. Vajić,
MrE. Levits,
MrA. Kovler, judges,
and Mr E. Fribergh, Section Registrar,
Having deliberated in private on 18 April 2002,
Delivers the following judgment, which was adopted on that date:
PROCEDURE
1. The case originated in an application (no. 44968/98) against the Italian Republic 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 Ester Amato Del Re (“the applicant”), on 10 June 1998.
2. The applicant was represented by Mr L. Cirillo, a lawyer practising in Naples. 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. The case was transferred to the Court on 1 November 1998 by virtue of Article 5 § 2 of Protocol No. 11 to the Convention. On 4 October 2001, having obtained the parties’ observations, the Court declared the application admissible.
5. On 1 November 2001 the Court changed the composition of its Sections (Rule 25 § 1). This case was assigned to the newly composed First Section.
6. On 28 February 2002 and on 13 March 2002 the applicant and the Agent of the Government respectively submitted formal declarations proposing a friendly settlement of the case.
THE FACTS
7. The applicant is the owner of an apartment in Naples, which she had let to P.S. and after his death to his spouse and his children.
8. In a writ served on the tenants on 22 October 1984, the applicant informed them of her intention to terminate the lease and summoned them to appear before the Naples Magistrate.
9. By a decision of 28 January 1985, which was made enforceable on 30 September 1987, the Naples Magistrate upheld the validity of the notice to quit and ordered that the premises be vacated by 4 May 1988
10. On 23 January 1990, the applicant served notice on the tenants requiring them to vacate the premises.
11. On 6 April 1990, she served notice on the tenants informing them that the order for possession would be enforced by a bailiff on 13 April 1990. Between 13 April 1990 and 14 April 1998, the bailiff made twenty-one attempts to recover possession.
12. Each attempt proved unsuccessful, as the applicant was not entitled to police assistance in enforcing the order for possession.
13. On 14 April 1998, the applicant recovered possession of the apartment.
THE LAW
14. On 13 March 2002 the Court received the following declaration from the Government:
“I declare that the Government of Italy offer to pay 7,230.40 € (seven thousand two hundred and thirty euros and forty cents) (i.e. 14,000,000 ITL) to Mrs Ester Amato del Re with a view to securing a friendly settlement of the application registered under no. 44968/98. 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 referral of the case to the Grand Chamber under Article 43 § 1 of the Convention.”
15. On 28 February 2002 the Court received the following declaration signed by the applicant:
“I note that the Government of Italy are prepared to pay a sum totalling 7,230.40 € (seven thousand two hundred and thirty euros and forty cents) (i.e. 14,000,000 ITL) covering both pecuniary and non-pecuniary damage and costs to to Mrs Ester Amato del Re with a view to securing a friendly settlement of application no. 44968/98 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 referral of the case to the Grand Chamber under Article 43 § 1 of the Convention after the delivery of the Court’s judgment.”
16. 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).
17. 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 7 May 2002, pursuant to Rule 77 §§ 2 and 3 of the Rules of Court.
Erik FriberghChristos Rozakis
RegistrarPresident
Full & Egal Universal Law Academy