Alfredo Soler Valdés-Bango Doctor en Derecho. Abogado 19th IFTTA Conference Portugal 10-14th October 2007 Moral Damages in Spanish Travel Law By Alfredo Soler Valdés-Bango
Alfredo Soler Valdés-Bango Doctor en Derecho. Abogado Travel Law contract in Spain No precise legal framework until 1995 Directive 90/314/EEC on Package Travel (1992) Package Travel Act 21/1995, 6th July 1995 Regional Regulations and guidelines Contract conditions
Alfredo Soler Valdés-Bango Doctor en Derecho. Abogado International level Brussels Convention 1970 (23rd April) European Directive 90/314/EEC Some National Regulations Germany: Reisevertrag §§651a-m BGB (1979) France:Loi and Decret Italy: D.Leg. 17 th March1995 United Kingdom: Package Travel Regulations 1992 Portugal: Decreto-Lei nº 209/97
Alfredo Soler Valdés-Bango Doctor en Derecho. Abogado Moral damages in travel law contract European Directive 90/314/EEC Some European Systems: UK: Spoilt, Ruined, damaged holidays (Jarvis vs. Swan Tours Ltd. 1973) Germany: Nutzlos aufgewendeter Urlaubszeit (§ 651f BGB 1979) Italy: Danno da vacanza rovinata (D.leg. 1995, 17th March, art. 13,2º) Belgium (Package Travel and travel agency contract Act 1994, art. 19.4º) Holland (Package Travel Act 1992, art. 11)
Alfredo Soler Valdés-Bango Doctor en Derecho. Abogado Spanish Situation on Moral Damages Case law concept; Not in Código Civil (Civil Code) Package Travel Act 1995 does not contain a specific paragraph on moral damages Case Law: –Spanish High Court (Tribunal Supremo) No pronunciation on travel package contract Since end 80’s; Latest 14th July 2006 (suffering or mental distress) –Spanish Regional Courts (Audiencias Provinciales)
Alfredo Soler Valdés-Bango Doctor en Derecho. Abogado Case Law Honeymoon travel (SAP Castellón 23rd February 2007) Delayed Transport SAP Madrid, 17th May 2007 (including cancelation of a wedding ceremony) School/language holidays Loss of luggage (SAP Murcia, 26th April 2007) Business Travel/Normal travel (frustración expectativas) SAP Madrid 16th January 2007
Conditions Breach of contract Not every but a fundamental one (not a mere insatisfaction) (SAP Barcelona 5th April 2007) Extension of damages (Which) foreseeable Quantum of damages (How much) reasonable and limited by International Conventions and conventionally Alfredo Soler Valdés-Bango Doctor en Derecho. Abogado