Belgium breached fair-trial rights in 14-year cartel tax dispute, Strasbourg court rules
By Lewis Crofts ( October 19, 2026, 11:47 GMT | Insight) -- Belgium violated a removal company’s right to a hearing within a reasonable time by allowing a tax dispute linked to deducting an EU cartel fine to stretch beyond 14 years, the European Court of Human Rights has ruled. In a unanimous judgment issued earlier this month, the Strasbourg court awarded Sirva €5,000, ruling that neither the case’s legal complexity — nor delays caused by the company — justified the proceedings’ overall length.Belgium violated a removal company’s right to a hearing within a reasonable time by allowing a tax dispute linked to an EU cartel fine to stretch beyond 14 years, the European Court of Human Rights has ruled....
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