FIRST SECTION
CASE OF QUARTUCCI v. ITALY
(Application no. 41232/98)
JUDGMENT
(Friendly Settlement)
STRASBOURG
28 March 2002
In the case of Quartucci 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 7 March 2002,
Delivers the following judgment, which was adopted on that date:
PROCEDURE
1. The case originated in an application (no. 41232/98) 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 Maria Quartucci (“the applicant”), on 20 March 1998.
2. The applicant was represented before the Court by Mr E. Valenti, a lawyer practising in Rome. 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 13 September 2001, after obtaining the parties’ observations, the Court declared the application admissible.
5. On 8 February 2002 and on 31 January 2002, 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 Rome, which she had let to A.B.
7. In a writ of 7 May 1985, the applicant informed the tenant that she intended to terminate the lease on expiry of the term on 31 March 1986. She asked her to vacate the premises by that date and summoned her to appear before the Rome Magistrate.
8. By a decision of 29 June 1985, which was made enforceable on 31 March 1986, the Rome Magistrate upheld the validity of the notice to quit and ordered that the premises be vacated by 31 December 1986.
9. On 11 January 1994, the applicant served notice on the tenant requiring her to vacate the premises.
10. On 29 January 1994, she served notice on the tenant informing her that the order for possession would be enforced by a bailiff on 4 March 1994.
11. Between 4 March 1994 and 11 November 1997, the bailiff made thirteen 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.
12. On 27 April 1998, the tenant died.
13. On 9 June 1998, the applicant recovered possession of the apartment.
THE LAW
14. On 31 January 2002, the Court received the following declaration from the Government:
“I declare that the Government of Italy offer to pay 15,493.71 Euros (30,000,000 ITL) to Mrs Maria Quartucci with a view to securing a friendly settlement of the application registered under no. 41232/98. 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 8 February 2002, the Court received from the applicant’s representative the following declaration signed by the applicant’s representative:
“I note that the Government of Italy are prepared to pay a sum totalling 15,493.71 Euros (30,000,000 ITL) covering both pecuniary and non-pecuniary damage and costs to Mrs Maria Quartucci with a view to securing a friendly settlement of application no. 41232/98 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 28 March 2002, pursuant to Rule 77 §§ 2 and 3 of the Rules of Court.
Erik FriberghChristos Rozakis
RegistrarPresident
Full & Egal Universal Law Academy