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.

Other articles

21.7.2026
News

KŠB Supports Smetana Litomyšl’s Charitable Grand Finale

The 68th annual Smetana Litomyšl Festival closed this year with the Grand Finale – Italian Film Night, which took place under the patronage of our law firm. The Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Tomáš Brauner, performed celebrated film music by Nino Rota, Luis Enrique Bacalov and Ennio Morricone in the second courtyard of Litomyšl Castle, which was also broadcast live on ČT Art and Czech Radio Vltava.

The 68th annual Smetana Litomyšl Festival closed this year with the Grand Finale – Italian Film Night, which took place under the patronage of our law firm. The Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Tomáš Brauner, performed celebrated film music by Nino Rota, Luis Enrique Bacalov and Ennio Morricone in the second courtyard of Litomyšl Castle, which was also broadcast live on ČT Art and Czech Radio Vltava.

10.7.2026
News

Jan Lasák Speaks at Balkan Legal Forum 2026

KŠB partner Jan Lasák took part as a panellist at this year’s Balkan Legal Forum 2026, one of the leading conferences focusing on the legal market in Central and South-Eastern Europe.

KŠB partner Jan Lasák took part as a panellist at this year’s Balkan Legal Forum 2026, one of the leading conferences focusing on the legal market in Central and South-Eastern Europe.

26.6.2026
News

KŠB Partner Tomáš Sequens Speaks at the “Law and the Environment” Conference

Organized by Česká justice and Ekonomický deník at Truhlárna Karlín in Prague, the “Law and the Environment” conference brought together representatives from the government, the business sector, the professional community, and the legal profession to discuss the current challenges related to environmental protection, decarbonization, and the regulatory framework for doing business.

Organized by Česká justice and Ekonomický deník at Truhlárna Karlín in Prague, the “Law and the Environment” conference brought together representatives from the government, the business sector, the professional community, and the legal profession to discuss the current challenges related to environmental protection, decarbonization, and the regulatory framework for doing business.