Resolution CM/ResDH(2010)48[1]
Execution of the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights
Santoni against France
(Application No. 49580/99, judgment of 29 July 2003, final on 29 October 2003,
revised on 1 June 2004, final on 1 September 2004)
The Committee of Ministers, under the terms of Article 46, paragraph 2, of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, which provides that the Committee supervises the execution of final judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (hereinafter “the Convention” and “the Court”);
Having regard to the judgment transmitted by the Court to the Committee once it had become final;
Recalling that the violation of the Convention found by the Court in this case concerns the excessive length of proceedings before the social security courts (violation of Article 6, paragraph 1) (see details in Appendix);
Having invited the government of the respondent state to inform the Committee of the measures taken to comply with its obligation under Article 46, paragraph 1, of the Convention to abide by the judgment;
Having examined the information provided by the government in accordance with the Committee’s Rules for the application of Article 46, paragraph 2, of the Convention;
Having satisfied itself that the respondent state paid the applicant the just satisfaction provided in the judgment (see details in Appendix),
Recalling that a finding of violations by the Court requires, over and above the payment of just satisfaction awarded by the Court in its judgments, the adoption by the respondent state, where appropriate:
- of individual measures to put an end to the violations and erase their consequences so as to achieve as far as possible restitutio in integrum; and
- of general measures preventing similar violations;
DECLARES, having examined the measures taken by the respondent state (see Appendix), that it has exercised its functions under Article 46, paragraph 2, of the Convention in this case and
DECIDES to close the examination of this case.
Appendix to Resolution CM/ResDH(2010)48
Information about the measures to comply with the judgment in the case of
Santoni against France
Introductory case summary
The case concerns the excessive length of the proceedings before the social security courts concerning an industrial accident (violation of Article 6§1). The proceedings began on 15/02/1988 and ended on 11/12/1998 (10 years, 9 months and 25 days).
The European Court considered that no delay could be imputed to the domestic courts and that the National Industrial Accidents Commission was responsible for several periods of inactivity (§48).
I.Payment of just satisfaction and individual measures
a) Details of just satisfaction
Pecuniary damage
Non-pecuniary damage
Costs and expenses
Total
-
6 000 EUR
-
6 000 EUR
Paid on 3/01/2005
b) Individual measures
The disputed proceedings are closed and the applicant’s heirs were awarded just satisfaction in respect of non-pecuniary damages.
No individual measures appear necessary.
II.General measures
To avoid similar violations, the National Industrial Accidents Commission has been informed of the requirements of the Convention flowing from the judgment of European Court in this case. Moreover, the judgment was sent to the Caisse nationale d’assurance maladie.
It has also been published on the Legifrance website and sent out to all national courts via the website of the Department of European and International Affairs.
In addition, in cases of excessive length of proceedings before the social security courts, a compensatory remedy is provided by Article L 781-1 of the Code of Judicial Organisation.
III.Conclusions of the respondent state
The government considers that the measures adopted will prevent similar violations and that France has thus complied with its obligations under Article 46, paragraph 1, of the Convention.
[1] Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 3 June 2010 at the 1086th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies
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