Reference for a preliminary ruling from the Cour d'arbitrage (Belgium) by order of that court of 13 July 2005 in Ordre des barreaux francophones et germanophones, Ordre français des avocats du barreau de Bruxelles v Conseil des ministres and Ordre des barreaux flamands and Ordre néerlandais des avocats du barreau de Bruxelles v Conseil des ministres

(Case C-305/05)

(2005/C 243/15)

Language of the case: French

Reference has been made to the Court of Justice of the European Communities by order of the Cour d'arbitrage (Belgium) of 13 July 2005, received at the Court Registry on 23 July 2004, for a preliminary ruling in the proceedings between Ordre des barreaux francophones et germanophones, Ordre français des avocats du barreau de Bruxelles v Conseil des ministres and Ordre des barreaux flamands and Ordre néerlandais des avocats du barreau de Bruxelles v Conseil des ministres on the following question:

Does Article 1(2) of Directive 2001/97/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 December 2001 amending Council Directive 91/308/EEC on prevention of the use of the financial system for the purpose of money laundering (1) infringe the right to a fair trail such as is guaranteed by Article 6 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, and, as a consequence, Article 6(2) of the Treaty on European Union, in so far as the new Article 2a(5) which it inserts into Directive 91/308/EEC requires the inclusion of members of the independent legal profession, without excluding the profession of avocat, in the scope of application of this same directive, which, in substance, has the aim of imposing an obligation on persons or establishments covered by it to inform the authorities responsible for the fight against money laundering of any fact which might be an indication of such laundering (Article 6 of Directive 91/308/EEC, replaced by Article 1(5) of Directive 2001/97/EC)?

(1)  OJ L 344, 28.12.2001, p. 76