ECJ dismisses IRISL Iran sanctions appeal

The ECJ has dismissed the appeal – C-225/17 P (31 January 2019) – brought by the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines and others, against the General Court’s judgment upholding the EU re-listings of IRISL and others after they successfully challenged their initial sanctions listings in September 2013 (see previous blog).

The ECJ declined to follow the opinion of Advocate General Sharpston. In her view, it was a breach of the obligation to state reasons for the EU to have amended its listing criteria to permit designation on the grounds of connection with IRISL, in the absence of any objective justification for the new criterion (see previous blog). Maya Lester QC acted for the applicants/appellants.