Case C‑632/22

Volvo AB

v

Transsaqui SL

(Request for a preliminary ruling from the Tribunal Supremo)

Judgment of the Court (Fifth Chamber) of 11 July 2024

(Reference for a preliminary ruling – Judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters – Regulation (EC) No 1393/2007 – Service of judicial and extrajudicial documents – Action for compensation for damage caused by a practice prohibited by Article 101(1) TFEU and by Article 53 of the Agreement on the European Economic Area – Document instituting proceedings served at the seat of a subsidiary of the defendant – Validity of the writ of summons – Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union – Article 47 – Right to effective judicial protection)

1. Agreements, decisions and concerted practices – Prohibition – Direct effect – Right of individuals to claim compensation for damage suffered – Action for compensation brought against a parent company – Document instituting proceedings served on the subsidiary domiciled in a Member State other than that of the parent company – Subsidiary not expressly authorised to receive judicial documents intended for the parent company – Invalid service of summons – Parent company forming an economic unit with the subsidiary within the meaning of competition law – Irrelevant

   (Art. 101 TFEU; Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Art. 47; European Parliament and Council Regulation No 1393/2007)

   (see paragraphs 48-53, 70, operative part)

2. Agreements, decisions and concerted practices – Prohibition – Direct effect – Right of individuals to claim compensation for damage suffered – Action for compensation brought against a parent company – Document instituting proceedings served on the subsidiary domiciled in a Member State other than that of the parent company – Validity of the writ of summons – Conditions – Obligation to comply with the rules governing the transmission and service of documents laid down by Regulation No 1393/2007

   (Art. 101 TFEU; Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Art. 47; European Parliament and Council Regulation No 1393/2007, Arts 1(1) and (2), 5(2), 8, 11(2), second para.)

   (see paragraphs 54-69)

See the text of the decision.