Yesterday, 10 December 2020, the EFTA Court held a remote oral hearing in Case E-7/20 – criminal Proceedings Against M & X AG, its last oral hearing of the year.

As with every institution, the work at the EFTA Court has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the Court has managed to continue processing pending cases as normal, even if it has not been able to hold on-site oral hearings since March 2020.

With considerable effort, the Court was able to make the necessary arrangements to be able to hold all its oral hearings via video conference. To ensure the accessibility and transparency of the hearings, they have been streamed live on the Court’s website.

The Court held nine oral hearings in such a manner this year, and more are scheduled for early 2021. Páll Hreinsson, President of the Court stated: “I am very grateful to everyone who participated in the hearings, and to those who helped make them possible.”