LG and Others v Rina SpA and Another – CJEU (J-C Bonichot, President of Chamber, R Silva de Lapuerta, Vice President of the Court, M Safjan, L Bay Larsen, and C Toader) – Case C-641/18 – 7 May 2020

European Union law – Jurisdiction – Plaintiffs bringing action in Italy for damages in tort against Italian classification societies operating on behalf of Republic of Panama – Defendants contesting jurisdiction and relying on principle of state immunity – Whether Italian court had jurisdiction to hear claims pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 44/2001

In 2006 the vessel Al Salam Boccaccio ’98, sailing under the flag of the Republic of Panama, sank on the Red Sea causing great loss of life. The relatives of the victims, together with survivors, brought an action in Italy against the defendants Rina SpA and Ente Registro Italiano Navale, which were ship classification societies whose seat was in Genoa.