25.7.2008
News

ECJ VAT Case law

At the end of March the ECJ issued its decision in Case C-111/05 Aktiebolaget NN on several preliminary matters relating to application of VAT on the laying of seabed optic cables. Although the issues arising particularly concern the criteria according to which supplies of goods may be distinguished from the provision of services, and how to determine the place of supply when providing line constructions, the ECJ decision also has general application.

For a transaction to qualify as a service, the service element of such a transaction must be of "decisive" (i.e. crucial) significance. Factors relevant in this regard can be the work/ materials ratio and the fact of whether the material or goods are supplied or provided without altering its nature and without adapting it to the specific requirements of the client  (to comply with the definition of supply of goods).

To determine the place of supply, reference needs to be made to the Sixth Directive, which provides that as regards the supply of goods including assembly thereof, the place of supply is the country in which the assembly or installation takes place. Hence in the given case, the place of supply is in several Member States. No VAT is due on supplies made to countries outside the EU. The price of the service to be supplies in each country is calculated pro rata the length of the cable laid in each territory.

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Our team provided legal advice to BigBoard Praha, a leading player in the premium outdoor advertising market in the Czech Republic, in connection with its refinancing. Founded in 1993, the BigBoard Group is the largest provider of premium outdoor advertising in the Czech Republic, with an approximately 70% market share and annual turnover of around CZK 2 billion. Its advertising media cover key locations across the country, including the Prague metro and major transport hubs.

Our team provided legal advice to BigBoard Praha, a leading player in the premium outdoor advertising market in the Czech Republic, in connection with its refinancing. Founded in 1993, the BigBoard Group is the largest provider of premium outdoor advertising in the Czech Republic, with an approximately 70% market share and annual turnover of around CZK 2 billion. Its advertising media cover key locations across the country, including the Prague metro and major transport hubs.

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The KŠB team provided legal advice to the investment group Sandberg Capital on the completion of a majority investment in HotelTime Solutions, one of the leading providers of cloud-based software for hotel operations management.

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KŠB assisted Seyfor with the extension of its financing provided by Raiffeisenbank, Tatra banka and, newly, Slovenská sporiteľňa.

The KŠB team provided legal advice to its long-standing client Seyfor in connection with the continuation and expansion of its syndicated financing. The existing lending banks, Raiffeisenbank Czech Republic and Tatra banka, decided to continue supporting Seyfor’s growth, with Slovenská sporiteľňa joining the financing as a new lender.

The KŠB team provided legal advice to its long-standing client Seyfor in connection with the continuation and expansion of its syndicated financing. The existing lending banks, Raiffeisenbank Czech Republic and Tatra banka, decided to continue supporting Seyfor’s growth, with Slovenská sporiteľňa joining the financing as a new lender.