Case C‑385/20

EL
and
TP

v

Caixabank SA

(Request for a preliminary ruling
from the Juzgado de Primera Instancia no 49 de Barcelona)

Judgment of the Court (Fourth Chamber) of 7 April 2022

(Reference for a preliminary ruling – Unfair terms in consumer contracts – Directive 93/13/EEC – Principle of effectiveness – Principle of equivalence – Judicial proceedings seeking a declaration that a contractual term is unfair – National court’s power of review of its own motion – National proceedings for taxation of costs – Costs recoverable in respect of lawyers’ fees)

1. Consumer protection – Unfair terms in consumer contracts – Directive 93/13 – Means to prevent the use of unfair terms – Taxation of recoverable costs in respect of lawyers’ fees payable following an action seeking a declaration that a contractual term is unfair

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

   (see paragraphs 46-58, operative part1)

2. Consumer protection – Unfair terms in consumer contracts – Directive 93/13 – Means to prevent the use of unfair terms – Taxation of recoverable costs in respect of lawyers’ fees payable following an action seeking a declaration that a contractual term is unfair

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

   (See paragraphs 61-67, operative part 2)

See the text of the decision.