ECJ business disputes ‘up 11.3%’

There has been a significant annual rise in the number of new commercial disputes brought before the European Court of Justice (ECJ), new figures suggest. In 2011 there were 374 new commercial and business-related disputes brought before the ECJ compared to 311 the year before, representing an 11.3% increase, according to analysis by Sweet & Maxwell. Taxation, competition and intellectual property are areas in which there has been notable increases in disputes, Sweet & Maxwell said, as businesses compete for market share amid the escalating financial crisis across Europe. The figures showed there was an 18.4% increase in cases relating to intellectual property and a 37% rise in disputes with national tax authorities. “With many European economies in recession or stagnating, businesses are finding it increasingly difficult to increase or simply maintain market position," explained Professor Panos Koutrakos, editor of Sweet & Maxwell publication European Law Review. "This inevitably leads to disputes as some businesses look to gain an unfair commercial advantage." Our Commercial Dispute Resolution team has extensive experience dealing with complex claims and works with businesses across West London and the surrounding area. For advice, contact a member of the team: call us on 08456 381381 or email commercialdisputes@ibblaw.co.uk.