Case C‑35/22

CAJASUR Banco SA

v

JO
and
IM

(Request for a preliminary ruling
from the Audiencia Provincial de Málaga)

Judgment of the Court (Fourth Chamber) of 13 July 2023

(Reference for a preliminary ruling – Directive 93/13/EEC – Unfair terms in consumer contracts – Article 6(1) – General conditions of a mortgage loan agreement declared null and void by national courts – Legal action – Admission prior to any dispute – National legislation requiring a consumer to take steps prior to bringing proceedings against the seller or supplier concerned in order to guarantee the award of the costs of legal proceedings – Principle of sound administration of justice – Right to effective judicial protection)

Consumer protection – Unfair terms in consumer contracts – Directive 93/13 – Means to prevent the use of unfair terms – Taking of steps by a consumer prior to the bringing of proceedings against a seller or supplier – None – National legislation providing that the consumer must bear his or her own costs relating to the legal action where that seller or supplier has admitted that consumer’s claim before any dispute – Whether permissible – Condition

(Council Directive 93/13, Arts 6(1) and 7(1))

(see paragraphs 23, 25-28, 31-35, 37, 38, operative part)

See the text of the operative part of the decision.