Reference for a preliminary ruling from the Landesgericht Innsbruck (Austria) lodged on 14 June 2010 — Gebhard Stark v D.A.S. Österreichische Allgemeine Rechtsschutzversicherung AG

(Case C-293/10)

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2010/C 274/03

Language of the case: German

Referring court

Landesgericht Innsbruck

Parties to the main proceedings

Applicant: Gebhard Stark

Defendant: D.A.S. Österreichische Allgemeine Rechtsschutzversicherung AG

Question referred

Is Article 4(1) of Directive 87/344/EEC (1) to be interpreted as precluding a provision such as Paragraph 158k(2) of the Versicherungsvertragsgesetz (Law on insurance contracts) and a clause, based on that law, contained in the general conditions of insurance applied by a legal expenses insurer to the effect that it may be stipulated in the insurance contract that the insured person may select to represent him only persons professionally authorised to represent parties who have their chambers at the place of the court or administrative authority before which the proceedings at first instance are to be conducted?

(1)  Council Directive 87/344/EEC of 22 June 1987 on the coordination of laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to legal expenses insurance (OJ 1987, L 185, p. 77).