Trainee Povilas Virbašius compiled the material.
Tax
The court of justice ruled on whether the denial of tax refunds to non-resident investment funds is compatible with the free movement of capital
Ruling: 30 April 2025
The court of justice delivered its judgment in the case Austria v. Franklin Mutual Series Funds – Franklin Mutual European Fund, (C-602/23). The case deals with the question of whether the denial of tax refunds to non-resident investment funds that are comparable to EU-regulated funds is compatible with the free movement of capital. Court found that Article 63 of Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) does not preclude national rules that deny a tax refund to a non-resident investment entity with legal personality—comparable to a resident legal person—even if resident Undertaking for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities (UCITS) are treated as tax-transparent and lack legal personality, provided the non-resident’s income is taxed in its home state at the level of its unit-holders, not the entity itself.
Insurance
The Court of Justice has clarified the interpretation of Article 13(2) of Regulation No 1215/2012 on jurisdiction in civil and commercial matters
Decided: 30 April 2025
The Court ruled that a Member State acting as an employer who has suffered a road accident may sue the insurance company in the place where the administrative body employing the official has its seat.
Competition
Commission amends State aid rules to provide public access to justice in environmental matters
Delivered: 12 May 2025
The European Commission has amended its State aid rules to improve public access to justice in environmental matters related to EU State aid decisions. The changes introduce a new review mechanism allowing NGOs to request a review of State aid decisions to determine if they violate
EU environmental law. The updated rules outline the conditions for NGOs to request a review, including criteria on NGO independence, non-profit status, environmental focus, and relevant experience.
See also press release.
Commission seeks feedback on the review of EU merger guidelines
Delivered: 8 May 2025
The review process will focus on how the Commission’s assessment should give adequate weight to innovation, efficiency, resilience, the time horizons and investment intensity of competition in certain strategic sectors, sustainability, the changed defence and security environment and other acute transformational needs of our times.
See also press release.
Defence
Commission mobilises €910 million to boost European defence and close capability gaps
Delivered: 30 April 2025
The Commission is investing €910 million under the 2024 edition of the European Defence Fund (EDF) to create a strong and innovative defence industry in Europe. These investments aim to close key capability gaps—like force mobility and drone defence—through innovation and collaboration across European science and industry. Moreover, and for the first time, Ukrainian defence industries can be associated to EDF projects.
See also press release.
