Advocate General’s opinion – 2013 EU Iran sanctions IRISL listing criterion was unlawful

Advocate General Sharpston has handed down a detailed opinion on the challenge by the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) and various entities said to be connected with IRISL, to the legal criteria for designation enacted by the EU in 2013.

The main issue was whether it was lawful for the EU to have introduced criteria permitting designation on the grounds of connection with IRISL after IRISL’s own listing had been annulled. The Advocate General considers that that criterion was unlawful, and that the General Court’s judgment on this point (see previous blog) should be overturned. She rejected all other grounds of appeal. The next step is the judgment of the Court of Justice.