Rb. Rotterdam 30 september 2015, ECLI:NL:RBROT:2015:6973

Summary in English Incidental proceedings on jurisdiction. Imtech has filed a claim with the Rotterdam District Court against Oakleigh demanding payment of invoices issued by Radio Holland. These invoices pertain to an agreement for the provision, by Radio Holland to Oakleigh, of worldwide ‘airtime’ via three satellites (the so-called ‘Inmarsat Fleet Broadband Services’) for the benefit of the motor yacht “Pacific”, owned by Oakleigh. The choice of forum clause providing for jurisdiction of the Rotterdam District Court laid down in the terms and conditions of Radio Holland does not meet the criteria provided in article 25 of the Brussels Ibis Regulation (Regulation (EU) No 1215/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2012 on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters). Oakleigh, the defendant, is domiciled in the British Virgin Islands. The British Virgin Islands belong to the group of countries and territories which according to the law of the European Union have the status of ‘Overseas Countries and Territories’ (OCT). Oakleigh is therefore not domiciled within a member State of the Brussels Ibis Regulation. The issue as to whether or not the courts of the Netherlands have jurisdiction in this matter must therefore be settled in accordance with Dutch private international law. Article 6, section a, Dutch Code of Civil Procedure (DCCP) stipulates: “The Courts of the Netherlands also have jurisdiction in cases relating to: a. contractual obligations, if the obligation that is the basis for the claim has been performed or should have been performed in the Netherlands.” Article 6a, section b, DCCP stipulates: “Unless otherwise agreed, the place of article 6, section a, is located in the Netherlands: a. (...) b. in case of provision of services, if, under the contract, the services have been provided or should have been provided in the Netherlands.” The Dutch office address of Radio Holland must be regarded as being the place where, according to the agreement, the services have been provided or should have been provided. It therefore has to be concluded that the Dutch courts have jurisdiction in this matter. Due to the nature of these incidental proceedings regarding jurisdiction it is not yet possible to fully adjudicate the positions taken by the parties with respect to the assignment, instruction to collect or power of attorney allegedly provided by Radio Holland to Imtech. Imtech vordert voor de rechtbank Rotterdam betaling van Oakleigh van facturen die afkomstig zijn van Radio Holland. Deze facturen hebben betrekking op een overeenkomst inzake het door Radio Holland aan Oakleigh wereldwijd verschaffen van ‘airtime’ via drie satellieten, de zogenaamde ‘Inmarsat Fleet Broadband Services’, ten behoeve van motorjacht ‘PACIFIC’ van Oakleigh. Dienstverlening. Bevoegdheidsincident. De forumkeuze voor de rechtbank Rotterdam in de algemene voorwaarden van Radio Holland voldoet niet aan de vormvereisten van artikel 25 van de Herschikte EEX-Verordening (EU-Verordening 1215/2015). Gedaagde Oakleigh is gevestigd op de Britse Maagdeneilanden. De Britse Maagdeneilanden behoren tot de groep van landen en gebieden die in het recht van de Europese Unie de status hebben van ‘landen en gebieden overzee’ (LGO). Oakleigh heeft dus geen woonplaats op de grondgebied van een lidstaat van de Herschikte EEX-Verordening. Nederlands commuun internationaal bevoegdheidsrecht is derhalve van toepassing ter bepaling van de rechtsmacht van de Nederlandse rechter. Het bestaan van rechtsmacht van de Nederlandse rechter in de onderhavige zaak volgt uit artikel 6a, aanhef en onder b, Rv, omdat het Nederlandse kantooradres van Radio Holland aangemerkt moet worden als de plaats waar volgens de overeenkomst de diensten werden en moesten worden verricht. De door partijen gevoerde discussie over de gestelde cessie, lastgeving en/of volmachtverlening door Radio Holland aan Imtech laat zich in dit bevoegdheidsincident niet goed beantwoorden.

De uitspraak op rechtspraak.nl