{ "attribution": { "source": "legal.exploreworldai.com", "canonical": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/judgment-text?id=eu:c-148-22", "cite_as": "NovaCopilot, legal.exploreworldai.com (https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/judgment-text?id=eu:c-148-22)", "license": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/revision", "version": "legal-2026-10-13", "fingerprint": "ewai:eu:a03983", "proof": "sha256:9fc89a73b65752cd40b51061cb15db4dd5e06d8ba6ad8c82dffbcc1fc754b854", "jurisdiction": "eu", "lang": "en", "publisher": "NovaCopilot by ExploreWorld Legal", "terms": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/om" }, "brand_source": "Source: NovaCopilot", "item": { "schema_version": "1.0.0", "id": "eu:c-148-22", "jurisdiction": "eu", "lang": "en", "brand_source": "Source: NovaCopilot", "brand": { "product": "NovaCopilot", "platform": "ExploreWorldAI", "infrastructure": "ExploreWorld Legal", "infrastructure_url": "legal.exploreworldai.com", "legal_entity": "Valkiv Ventures AB", "permanent_url": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/novacopilot", "source": "Source: NovaCopilot", "powered_by": "Powered by NovaCopilot", "license": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/licensvillkor" }, "sections": [ { "title": "62022CJ0148", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "JUDGMENT OF THE COURT (Grand Chamber)", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "28 November 2023 (\n *1\n )", "paragraphs": [ "para_4", "para_5", "para_6" ] }, { "title": "OP", "paragraphs": [ "para_8", "para_9", "para_10", "para_11", "para_12", "para_13", "para_14", "para_15", "para_16", "para_17", "para_18", "para_19", "para_20", "para_21", "para_22", "para_23", "para_24", "para_25", "para_26", "para_27", "para_28", "para_29" ] }, { "title": "Judgment", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "1", "paragraphs": [ "para_32" ] }, { "title": "2", "paragraphs": [ "para_34" ] }, { "title": "Legal context", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "European Union law", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "3", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "Article 1 of Directive 2000/78 provides:", "paragraphs": [ "para_39" ] }, { "title": "4", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "Article 2 of that directive, entitled ‘Concept of discrimination’, provides:", "paragraphs": [ "para_42" ] }, { "title": "2.   For the purposes of paragraph 1:", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "(a)", "paragraphs": [ "para_45" ] }, { "title": "(b)", "paragraphs": [ "para_47" ] }, { "title": "(i)", "paragraphs": [ "para_49", "para_50" ] }, { "title": "5", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "Article 3(1) of the said directive states:", "paragraphs": [ "para_53", "para_54" ] }, { "title": "(c)", "paragraphs": [ "para_56", "para_57" ] }, { "title": "Belgian law", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "6", "paragraphs": [ "para_60" ] }, { "title": "7", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "Article 4 of that law states:", "paragraphs": [ "para_63", "para_64", "para_65", "para_66", "para_67", "para_68", "para_69", "para_70", "para_71", "para_72", "para_73", "para_74" ] }, { "title": "8", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "Article 5(1) of the said law provides:", "paragraphs": [ "para_77" ] }, { "title": "9", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "Article 7 of the General Anti-discrimination Law states:", "paragraphs": [ "para_80" ] }, { "title": "10", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "Article 8 of that law provides:", "paragraphs": [ "para_83" ] }, { "title": "2. A genuine and determining occupational requirement can exist only where:", "paragraphs": [ "para_85", "para_86", "para_87", "para_88", "para_89", "para_90" ] }, { "title": "11", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "Article 9 of the said law is worded as follows:", "paragraphs": [ "para_93", "para_94", "para_95", "para_96", "para_97" ] }, { "title": "The dispute in the main proceedings and the questions referred for a preliminary ruling", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "12", "paragraphs": [ "para_100" ] }, { "title": "13", "paragraphs": [ "para_102" ] }, { "title": "14", "paragraphs": [ "para_104" ] }, { "title": "15", "paragraphs": [ "para_106", "para_107", "para_108", "para_109" ] }, { "title": "16", "paragraphs": [ "para_111" ] }, { "title": "17", "paragraphs": [ "para_113" ] }, { "title": "18", "paragraphs": [ "para_115" ] }, { "title": "19", "paragraphs": [ "para_117" ] }, { "title": "20", "paragraphs": [ "para_119", "para_120", "para_121" ] }, { "title": "(2)", "paragraphs": [ "para_123" ] }, { "title": "Consideration of the questions referred", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "The first question", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "21", "paragraphs": [ "para_127" ] }, { "title": "22", "paragraphs": [ "para_129" ] }, { "title": "23", "paragraphs": [ "para_131" ] }, { "title": "24", "paragraphs": [ "para_133" ] }, { "title": "25", "paragraphs": [ "para_135" ] }, { "title": "26", "paragraphs": [ "para_137" ] }, { "title": "27", "paragraphs": [ "para_139" ] }, { "title": "28", "paragraphs": [ "para_141" ] }, { "title": "29", "paragraphs": [ "para_143" ] }, { "title": "30", "paragraphs": [ "para_145" ] }, { "title": "31", "paragraphs": [ "para_147" ] }, { "title": "32", "paragraphs": [ "para_149" ] }, { "title": "33", "paragraphs": [ "para_151" ] }, { "title": "34", "paragraphs": [ "para_153" ] }, { "title": "35", "paragraphs": [ "para_155" ] }, { "title": "36", "paragraphs": [ "para_157" ] }, { "title": "37", "paragraphs": [ "para_159" ] }, { "title": "38", "paragraphs": [ "para_161" ] }, { "title": "39", "paragraphs": [ "para_163" ] }, { "title": "40", "paragraphs": [ "para_165" ] }, { "title": "41", "paragraphs": [ "para_167" ] }, { "title": "The second question", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "42", "paragraphs": [ "para_170" ] }, { "title": "43", "paragraphs": [ "para_172" ] }, { "title": "44", "paragraphs": [ "para_174" ] }, { "title": "45", "paragraphs": [ "para_176" ] }, { "title": "46", "paragraphs": [ "para_178" ] }, { "title": "47", "paragraphs": [ "para_180" ] }, { "title": "48", "paragraphs": [ "para_182" ] }, { "title": "49", "paragraphs": [ "para_184" ] }, { "title": "50", "paragraphs": [ "para_186" ] }, { "title": "Costs", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "51", "paragraphs": [ "para_189" ] }, { "title": "On those grounds, the Court (Grand Chamber) hereby rules:", "paragraphs": [ "para_191", "para_192", "para_193", "para_194" ] } ], "paragraphs": [ { "text": "62022CJ0148", "paragraph_id": "para_1" }, { "text": "JUDGMENT OF THE COURT (Grand Chamber)", "paragraph_id": "para_2" }, { "text": "28 November 2023 (\n *1\n )", "paragraph_id": "para_3" }, { "text": "(Reference for a preliminary ruling – Social policy – Directive 2000/78/EC – Establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation – Prohibition of discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief – Public sector – Terms of employment of a public administration prohibi …", "paragraph_id": "para_4" }, { "text": "In Case C‑148/22,", "paragraph_id": "para_5" }, { "text": "REQUEST for a preliminary ruling under Article 267 TFEU from the tribunal du travail de Liège (Labour Court, Liège, Belgium), made by decision of 24 February 2022, received at the Court on 2 March 2022, in the proceedings", "paragraph_id": "para_6" }, { "text": "OP", "paragraph_id": "para_7" }, { "text": "v", "paragraph_id": "para_8" }, { "text": "Commune d’Ans,", "paragraph_id": "para_9" }, { "text": "THE COURT (Grand Chamber),", "paragraph_id": "para_10" }, { "text": "composed of K. Lenaerts, President, L. Bay Larsen, Vice-President, A. Prechal, K. Jürimäe, C. Lycourgos, F. Biltgen (Rapporteur) and N. Piçarra, Presidents of Chambers, M. Safjan, S. Rodin, P.G. Xuereb, I. Ziemele, J. Passer, D. Gratsias, M.L. Arastey Sahún and M. Gavalec, Judges,", "paragraph_id": "para_11" }, { "text": "Advocate General: A.M. Collins,", "paragraph_id": "para_12" }, { "text": "Registrar: M. Krausenböck, Administrator,", "paragraph_id": "para_13" }, { "text": "having regard to the written procedure and further to the hearing on 31 January 2023,", "paragraph_id": "para_14" }, { "text": "after considering the observations submitted on behalf of:", "paragraph_id": "para_15" }, { "text": "–", "paragraph_id": "para_16" }, { "text": "OP, by S. Gioe, avocate,", "paragraph_id": "para_17" }, { "text": "–", "paragraph_id": "para_18" }, { "text": "the Commune d’Ans, by J. Uyttendaele and M. Uyttendaele, avocats,", "paragraph_id": "para_19" }, { "text": "–", "paragraph_id": "para_20" }, { "text": "the Belgian Government, by C. Pochet, L. Van den Broeck and M. Van Regemorter, acting as Agents,", "paragraph_id": "para_21" }, { "text": "–", "paragraph_id": "para_22" }, { "text": "the French Government, by D. Colas, V. Depenne, A.-L. Desjonquères and N. Vincent, acting as Agents,", "paragraph_id": "para_23" }, { "text": "–", "paragraph_id": "para_24" }, { "text": "the Swedish Government, by O. Simonsson and C. Meyer-Seitz, acting as Agents,", "paragraph_id": "para_25" }, { "text": "–", "paragraph_id": "para_26" }, { "text": "the European Commission, by B.-R. Killmann, D. Martin and E. Schmidt, acting as Agents,", "paragraph_id": "para_27" }, { "text": "after hearing the Opinion of the Advocate General at the sitting on 4 May 2023,", "paragraph_id": "para_28" }, { "text": "gives the following", "paragraph_id": "para_29" }, { "text": "Judgment", "paragraph_id": "para_30" }, { "text": "1", "paragraph_id": "para_31" }, { "text": "This request for a preliminary ruling concerns the interpretation of Article 2(2)(a) and (b) of Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation ( OJ 2000 L 303, p. 16 ).", "paragraph_id": "para_32" }, { "text": "2", "paragraph_id": "para_33" }, { "text": "The request has been made in proceedings between OP, a member of the contract staff of the Commune d’Ans (municipal authority of Ans; ‘the municipality’), concerning the latter’s prohibition on its workers wearing any visible sign which might reveal their ideological or philosophical affiliation or political or religious beliefs.", "paragraph_id": "para_34" }, { "text": "Legal context", "paragraph_id": "para_35" }, { "text": "European Union law", "paragraph_id": "para_36" }, { "text": "3", "paragraph_id": "para_37" }, { "text": "Article 1 of Directive 2000/78 provides:", "paragraph_id": "para_38" }, { "text": "‘The purpose of this Directive is to lay down a general framework for combating discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation as regards employment and occupation, with a view to putting into effect in the Member States the principle of equal treatment.’", "paragraph_id": "para_39" }, { "text": "4", "paragraph_id": "para_40" }, { "text": "Article 2 of that directive, entitled ‘Concept of discrimination’, provides:", "paragraph_id": "para_41" }, { "text": "‘1.   For the purposes of this Directive, the “principle of equal treatment” shall mean that there shall be no direct or indirect discrimination whatsoever on any of the grounds referred to in Article 1.", "paragraph_id": "para_42" }, { "text": "2.   For the purposes of paragraph 1:", "paragraph_id": "para_43" }, { "text": "(a)", "paragraph_id": "para_44" }, { "text": "direct discrimination shall be taken to occur where one person is treated less favourably than another is, has been or would be treated in a comparable situation, on any of the grounds referred to in Article 1;", "paragraph_id": "para_45" }, { "text": "(b)", "paragraph_id": "para_46" }, { "text": "indirect discrimination shall be taken to occur where an apparently neutral provision, criterion or practice would put persons having a particular religion or belief, a particular disability, a particular age, or a particular sexual orientation at a particular disadvantage compared with other persons unless:", "paragraph_id": "para_47" }, { "text": "(i)", "paragraph_id": "para_48" }, { "text": "that provision, criterion or practice is objectively justified by a legitimate aim and the means of achieving that aim are appropriate and necessary, …", "paragraph_id": "para_49" }, { "text": "…’", "paragraph_id": "para_50" }, { "text": "5", "paragraph_id": "para_51" }, { "text": "Article 3(1) of the said directive states:", "paragraph_id": "para_52" }, { "text": "‘Within the limits of the areas of competence conferred on the Community, this Directive shall apply to all persons, as regards both the public and private sectors, including public bodies, in relation to:", "paragraph_id": "para_53" }, { "text": "…", "paragraph_id": "para_54" }, { "text": "(c)", "paragraph_id": "para_55" }, { "text": "employment and working conditions, including dismissals and pay;", "paragraph_id": "para_56" }, { "text": "…’", "paragraph_id": "para_57" }, { "text": "Belgian law", "paragraph_id": "para_58" }, { "text": "6", "paragraph_id": "para_59" }, { "text": "The loi du 10 mai 2007 tendant à lutter contre certaines formes de discrimination (Law of 10 May 2007 to combat certain forms of discrimination) ( Moniteur belge of 30 May 2007, p. 29016), in the version applicable to the dispute in the main proceedings (‘the General Anti-discrimination Law’), transposes Directive 2000/78 into Belgian law.", "paragraph_id": "para_60" }, { "text": "7", "paragraph_id": "para_61" }, { "text": "Article 4 of that law states:", "paragraph_id": "para_62" }, { "text": "‘For the purposes of this law, the following definitions shall apply:", "paragraph_id": "para_63" }, { "text": "(1) employment relationships: relationships which cover, inter alia, employment, conditions for access to employment, working conditions and rules on dismissal:", "paragraph_id": "para_64" }, { "text": "–", "paragraph_id": "para_65" }, { "text": "in both the public and private sectors;", "paragraph_id": "para_66" }, { "text": "…", "paragraph_id": "para_67" }, { "text": "(4) protected criteria: age, sexual orientation, civil status, birth, financial situation, religious or philosophical belief, political belief, language, current or future state of health, disability, physical or genetic characteristics, social origin;", "paragraph_id": "para_68" }, { "text": "…", "paragraph_id": "para_69" }, { "text": "(6) direct distinction: a situation which arises where, on the basis of one of the protected criteria, a person is treated less favourably than another person is, has been, or would be treated in a comparable situation;", "paragraph_id": "para_70" }, { "text": "(7) direct discrimination: a direct distinction, based on one of the protected criteria, which cannot be justified on the basis of the provisions of Title II;", "paragraph_id": "para_71" }, { "text": "(8) indirect distinction: a situation which arises where an apparently neutral provision, criterion or practice would put persons characterised by one of the protected criteria at a particular disadvantage compared with other persons;", "paragraph_id": "para_72" }, { "text": "(9) indirect discrimination: an indirect distinction, based on one of the protected criteria, which cannot be justified on the basis of the provisions of Title II;", "paragraph_id": "para_73" }, { "text": "…’", "paragraph_id": "para_74" }, { "text": "8", "paragraph_id": "para_75" }, { "text": "Article 5(1) of the said law provides:", "paragraph_id": "para_76" }, { "text": "‘With the exception of matters falling within the competence of the Communities or the Regions, this Law shall apply to all persons, as regards both the public and private sectors, including public bodies …’", "paragraph_id": "para_77" }, { "text": "9", "paragraph_id": "para_78" }, { "text": "Article 7 of the General Anti-discrimination Law states:", "paragraph_id": "para_79" }, { "text": "‘Any direct distinction based on one of the protected criteria shall constitute direct discrimination, unless that direct distinction is objectively justified by a legitimate aim and the means of achieving that aim are appropriate and necessary.’", "paragraph_id": "para_80" }, { "text": "10", "paragraph_id": "para_81" }, { "text": "Article 8 of that law provides:", "paragraph_id": "para_82" }, { "text": "‘1. By way of derogation from Article 7 and without prejudice to the other provisions of this Title, a direct distinction based on age, sexual orientation, religious or philosophical belief, or disability, in the fields referred to in Article 5[(1), points 4, 5 and 7], can be justified only by genuine and determining occupational requirements.", "paragraph_id": "para_83" }, { "text": "2. A genuine and determining occupational requirement can exist only where:", "paragraph_id": "para_84" }, { "text": "–", "paragraph_id": "para_85" }, { "text": "a particular characteristic related to age, sexual orientation, religious or philosophical belief or disability is genuine and determining by reason of the nature of the specific occupational activities concerned or of the context in which they are carried out, and", "paragraph_id": "para_86" }, { "text": "–", "paragraph_id": "para_87" }, { "text": "the requirement is based on a legitimate aim and is proportionate to that aim.", "paragraph_id": "para_88" }, { "text": "3. It is for the court to ascertain, on a case-by-case basis, whether a given characteristic constitutes a genuine and determining occupational requirement.", "paragraph_id": "para_89" }, { "text": "…’", "paragraph_id": "para_90" }, { "text": "11", "paragraph_id": "para_91" }, { "text": "Article 9 of the said law is worded as follows:", "paragraph_id": "para_92" }, { "text": "‘Any indirect distinction based on one of the protected criteria shall constitute indirect discrimination,", "paragraph_id": "para_93" }, { "text": "–", "paragraph_id": "para_94" }, { "text": "unless the apparently neutral provision, criterion or practice on which that indirect distinction is based is objectively justified by a legitimate aim and the means of achieving that aim are appropriate and necessary; or,", "paragraph_id": "para_95" }, { "text": "–", "paragraph_id": "para_96" }, { "text": "unless, in the case of an indirect distinction on the basis of disability, it is demonstrated that no reasonable accommodation can be made.’", "paragraph_id": "para_97" }, { "text": "The dispute in the main proceedings and the questions referred for a preliminary ruling", "paragraph_id": "para_98" }, { "text": "12", "paragraph_id": "para_99" }, { "text": "The applicant in the main proceedings has worked for the municipality since 11 April 2016 and has held, since 11 October 2016, the post of ‘head of office’, a function which she performs primarily without being in contact with users of the public service (‘back office’). She has carried out her duti …", "paragraph_id": "para_100" }, { "text": "13", "paragraph_id": "para_101" }, { "text": "By a decision of 18 February 2021, the municipal board of the municipality (‘the municipal board’) rejected that application and provisionally prohibited the applicant in the main proceedings from wearing, in the exercise of her professional activity, signs revealing her religious beliefs until general rules on the wearing of such signs within the municipal administration had been adopted.", "paragraph_id": "para_102" }, { "text": "14", "paragraph_id": "para_103" }, { "text": "On 26 February 2021, after having heard the applicant in the main proceedings, the municipal board adopted a second decision confirming the prohibition in question until the adoption of such general rules.", "paragraph_id": "para_104" }, { "text": "15", "paragraph_id": "para_105" }, { "text": "On 29 March 2021, the municipal board of the municipality amended its terms of employment by inserting a requirement of ‘exclusive neutrality’ in the workplace, understood as prohibiting all municipal workers from wearing, in that workplace, any visible sign that might reveal their beliefs – religious or philosophical in particular – whether or not they were in contact with the public. Article 9 of those terms thus provides, inter alia:", "paragraph_id": "para_106" }, { "text": "‘Workers have freedom of expression in accordance with the principle of neutrality, their duty of discretion and their duty to act in good faith.", "paragraph_id": "para_107" }, { "text": "Workers are required to observe the principle of neutrality, which means that they must refrain from any form of proselytising and that they are prohibited from wearing any overt sign which might reveal their ideological or philosophical affiliation or political or religious beliefs. This rule applies both to their contacts with the public and to their working relationships with hierarchical superiors and colleagues.", "paragraph_id": "para_108" }, { "text": "…’", "paragraph_id": "para_109" }, { "text": "16", "paragraph_id": "para_110" }, { "text": "The applicant in the main proceedings has brought several sets of proceedings seeking a declaration that her freedom of religion had been infringed, including an action for an injunction, brought before the referring court, against the two individual decisions referred to in paragraphs 13 and 14 of …", "paragraph_id": "para_111" }, { "text": "17", "paragraph_id": "para_112" }, { "text": "With regard to those individual decisions, the referring court takes the view that the prohibition on the wearing of the Islamic headscarf by the applicant in the main proceedings constitutes a difference in treatment directly based on her religion as compared with other members of the municipality’ …", "paragraph_id": "para_113" }, { "text": "18", "paragraph_id": "para_114" }, { "text": "Regarding that amendment, the referring court states that its purpose is to ensure that both the actions and the appearance of public officials are strictly neutral, whatever the nature of their duties and the context in which they are carried out. It is of the view that the rule introduced by that …", "paragraph_id": "para_115" }, { "text": "19", "paragraph_id": "para_116" }, { "text": "However, the referring court has doubts as to the compatibility with the provisions of Directive 2000/78 of a provision of terms of employment, such as that at issue in the main proceedings, which imposes a requirement of ‘exclusive neutrality’ on all workers of a public administration, even those who do not have dealings with users.", "paragraph_id": "para_117" }, { "text": "20", "paragraph_id": "para_118" }, { "text": "In those circumstances, the tribunal du travail de Liège (Labour Court, Liège, Belgium) decided to stay the proceedings and to refer the following questions to the Court of Justice for a preliminary ruling:", "paragraph_id": "para_119" }, { "text": "‘(1)", "paragraph_id": "para_120" }, { "text": "Can Article 2(2)(a) and (b) of [Directive 2000/78] be interpreted as permitting a public administration to put in place an entirely neutral administrative environment and thus to prohibit all members of staff from wearing [signs which might reveal religious beliefs], whether or not they are in direct contact with the public?", "paragraph_id": "para_121" }, { "text": "(2)", "paragraph_id": "para_122" }, { "text": "Can Article 2(2)(a) and (b) of [Directive 2000/78] be interpreted as permitting a public administration to put in place an entirely neutral administrative environment and thus to prohibit all members of staff from wearing [signs which might reveal religious beliefs], whether or not they are in direct contact with the public, even if that neutral prohibition appears mostly to affect women, and may thus constitute disguised discrimination on grounds of gender?’", "paragraph_id": "para_123" }, { "text": "Consideration of the questions referred", "paragraph_id": "para_124" }, { "text": "The first question", "paragraph_id": "para_125" }, { "text": "21", "paragraph_id": "para_126" }, { "text": "By its first question, the referring court asks, in essence, whether Article 2(2)(a) and (b) of Directive 2000/78 must be interpreted as meaning that an internal rule of a municipal authority prohibiting, in a general and indiscriminate manner, the members of that authority’s staff from visibly wear …", "paragraph_id": "para_127" }, { "text": "22", "paragraph_id": "para_128" }, { "text": "As a preliminary point, it should be recalled, first, that the concept of ‘religion’ in Article 1 of Directive 2000/78 covers both the forum internum , that is the fact of having a belief, and the forum externum , that is the manifestation of religious faith in public (judgment of 14 March 2017, G4S …", "paragraph_id": "para_129" }, { "text": "23", "paragraph_id": "para_130" }, { "text": "Second, given that, in accordance with Article 3(1) of Directive 2000/78, that directive is to apply to all persons, as regards both the public and private sectors, including public bodies, a provision such as that in Article 9 of the municipality’s terms of employment, which prohibits its staff fro …", "paragraph_id": "para_131" }, { "text": "24", "paragraph_id": "para_132" }, { "text": "Those clarifications having been made, it should be noted that the referring court’s first question concerns both Article 2(2)(a) of Directive 2000/78, relating to ‘direct discrimination’, and Article 2(2)(b) thereof, relating to ‘indirect discrimination’.", "paragraph_id": "para_133" }, { "text": "25", "paragraph_id": "para_134" }, { "text": "In that regard, it should be recalled that an internal rule decreed by an employer which prohibits in the workplace only the wearing of conspicuous, large-scale signs of beliefs – philosophical or religious in particular – may constitute direct discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief wit …", "paragraph_id": "para_135" }, { "text": "26", "paragraph_id": "para_136" }, { "text": "Conversely, an internal rule decreed by an employer which prohibits the wearing in the workplace of any visible sign of beliefs – philosophical or religious in particular – does not constitute such direct discrimination since it covers any manifestation of such beliefs without distinction and treats …", "paragraph_id": "para_137" }, { "text": "27", "paragraph_id": "para_138" }, { "text": "Indeed, since every person may have a religion or religious, philosophical or spiritual belief, such a rule, provided that it is applied in a general and undifferentiated way, does not establish a difference in treatment based on a criterion that is inextricably linked to religion or to those belief …", "paragraph_id": "para_139" }, { "text": "28", "paragraph_id": "para_140" }, { "text": "Therefore, unless the referring court finds that, despite the general and undifferentiated way in which Article 9 of the terms of employment at issue in the main proceedings is worded, the applicant in the main proceedings has been treated differently from other workers who have been permitted to ma …", "paragraph_id": "para_141" }, { "text": "29", "paragraph_id": "para_142" }, { "text": "In that regard, it is apparent from the Court’s settled case-law that an internal rule decreed by an employer prohibiting the visible wearing in the workplace of any sign of beliefs – philosophical or religious in particular – may constitute a difference of treatment indirectly based on religion or …", "paragraph_id": "para_143" }, { "text": "30", "paragraph_id": "para_144" }, { "text": "In accordance with Article 2(2)(b)(i) of Directive 2000/78, such a difference in treatment does not, however, amount to indirect discrimination if it is objectively justified by a legitimate aim and if the means of achieving that aim are appropriate and necessary (judgment of 15 July 2021, WABE and MH Müller Handel, C‑804/18 and C‑341/19 , EU:C:2021:594 , paragraph  60 ).", "paragraph_id": "para_145" }, { "text": "31", "paragraph_id": "para_146" }, { "text": "In that regard, it must be noted that, although it is ultimately for the national court, which has sole jurisdiction to assess the facts and to determine whether and to what extent the provision of the terms of employment at issue in the main proceedings meets those requirements, the Court of Justic …", "paragraph_id": "para_147" }, { "text": "32", "paragraph_id": "para_148" }, { "text": "In the first place, as regards the condition relating to the existence of a legitimate aim, it is apparent, first, from the request for a preliminary ruling that, according to the municipality, the aim of Article 9 of the terms of employment at issue in the main proceedings, which prohibits the visi …", "paragraph_id": "para_149" }, { "text": "33", "paragraph_id": "para_150" }, { "text": "In that regard, each Member State, including, where appropriate, its infra-State bodies, in compliance with the powers conferred on them, must be afforded a margin of discretion in designing the neutrality of the public service which it intends to promote in the workplace. Thus, the policy of ‘exclu …", "paragraph_id": "para_151" }, { "text": "34", "paragraph_id": "para_152" }, { "text": "Directive 2000/78 establishes only a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation, which leaves a margin of discretion to the Member States and, as the case may be, to their infra-State bodies, allowing them to take account of their own specific context, having regard to the di …", "paragraph_id": "para_153" }, { "text": "35", "paragraph_id": "para_154" }, { "text": "Moreover, it is apparent from Directive 2000/78 that the EU legislature did not itself effect the necessary reconciliation between the freedom of thought, conscience and religion and the legitimate aims that may be invoked in order to justify unequal treatment, for the purposes of Article 2(2)(b)(i) …", "paragraph_id": "para_155" }, { "text": "36", "paragraph_id": "para_156" }, { "text": "Therefore, a provision such as Article 9 of the terms of employment at issue in the main proceedings may be regarded as pursuing a legitimate aim within the meaning of Article 2(2)(b)(i) of Directive 2000/78.", "paragraph_id": "para_157" }, { "text": "37", "paragraph_id": "para_158" }, { "text": "In the second place, as has been recalled in paragraph 30 of the present judgment, if an internal rule such as that at issue in the main proceedings is not to regarded as ‘indirect discrimination’ within the meaning of Article 2(2)(b) of Directive 2000/78, it must still be appropriate for the purpos …", "paragraph_id": "para_159" }, { "text": "38", "paragraph_id": "para_160" }, { "text": "In that regard, first of all, it will be for the referring court to determine whether the municipality pursues that objective in a genuinely consistent and systematic manner with regard to all employees.", "paragraph_id": "para_161" }, { "text": "39", "paragraph_id": "para_162" }, { "text": "Next, it should be noted that the legitimate objective of ensuring, through a policy of ‘exclusive neutrality’ as established by Article 9 of the terms of employment at issue in the main proceedings, an entirely neutral administrative environment can be effectively pursued only if no visible manifes …", "paragraph_id": "para_163" }, { "text": "40", "paragraph_id": "para_164" }, { "text": "It will still be for the referring court, in the light of all the factors characteristic of the context in which that rule was adopted, to weigh up the interests at stake, taking into account, on the one hand, the fundamental rights and principles at issue, namely, in this case, the right to freedom …", "paragraph_id": "para_165" }, { "text": "41", "paragraph_id": "para_166" }, { "text": "In the light of the foregoing considerations, the answer to the first question is that Article 2(2)(b) of Directive 2000/78 must be interpreted as meaning that an internal rule of a municipal authority prohibiting, in a general and indiscriminate manner, the members of that authority’s staff from vi …", "paragraph_id": "para_167" }, { "text": "The second question", "paragraph_id": "para_168" }, { "text": "42", "paragraph_id": "para_169" }, { "text": "By its second question, the referring court asks, in essence, whether Article 2(2)(a) and (b) of Directive 2000/78 must be interpreted as permitting a public authority to organise an entirely neutral administrative environment by prohibiting all the members of its staff from visibly wearing signs wh …", "paragraph_id": "para_170" }, { "text": "43", "paragraph_id": "para_171" }, { "text": "In that regard, it should be borne in mind that it follows from the spirit of cooperation which must prevail in the operation of the preliminary reference procedure that it is essential that the national court set out in its order for reference the precise reasons why it considers that a reply to it …", "paragraph_id": "para_172" }, { "text": "44", "paragraph_id": "para_173" }, { "text": "According to the Court’s settled case-law, in the context of the cooperation between the Court of Justice and the national courts, the need to provide an interpretation of EU law which will be of use to the national court means that the national court is bound to observe scrupulously the requirement …", "paragraph_id": "para_174" }, { "text": "45", "paragraph_id": "para_175" }, { "text": "Thus, first, in accordance with Article 94(a) of the Rules of Procedure, it is essential that the referring court define the factual and legislative context of the questions it is asking or, at the very least, explain the factual circumstances on which those questions are based. In the procedure est …", "paragraph_id": "para_176" }, { "text": "46", "paragraph_id": "para_177" }, { "text": "Second, as is stated in Article 94(c) of the Rules of Procedure, it is essential that the order for reference contain a statement of the reasons which prompted the national court to inquire about the interpretation of certain provisions of EU law, and the relationship between those provisions and the national legislation applicable to the main proceedings (judgment of 2 September 2021, Irish Ferries, C‑570/19 , EU:C:2021:664 , paragraph  133 and the case-law cited).", "paragraph_id": "para_178" }, { "text": "47", "paragraph_id": "para_179" }, { "text": "It must also be emphasised that the information provided in orders for reference serves not only to enable the Court to give useful answers but also to ensure that it is possible for the governments of the Member States and other interested parties to submit observations in accordance with Article 2 …", "paragraph_id": "para_180" }, { "text": "48", "paragraph_id": "para_181" }, { "text": "In the case at hand, as regards the existence of possible indirect discrimination on the grounds of sex, referred to in the second question, it should be recalled that that ground falls within the scope of Directive 2006/54/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2006 on the imple …", "paragraph_id": "para_182" }, { "text": "49", "paragraph_id": "para_183" }, { "text": "Furthermore, the order for reference does not contain any information enabling ascertainment of the factual situation on which the second question is based or of the reasons why an answer to that question – in addition to the answer to the first question – is necessary in order to resolve the dispute in the main proceedings.", "paragraph_id": "para_184" }, { "text": "50", "paragraph_id": "para_185" }, { "text": "Accordingly, the second question is inadmissible.", "paragraph_id": "para_186" }, { "text": "Costs", "paragraph_id": "para_187" }, { "text": "51", "paragraph_id": "para_188" }, { "text": "Since these proceedings are, for the parties to the main proceedings, a step in the action pending before the referring court, the decision on costs is a matter for that court. Costs incurred in submitting observations to the Court, other than the costs of those parties, are not recoverable.", "paragraph_id": "para_189" }, { "text": "On those grounds, the Court (Grand Chamber) hereby rules:", "paragraph_id": "para_190" }, { "text": "Article 2(2)(b) of Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation", "paragraph_id": "para_191" }, { "text": "must be interpreted as meaning that an internal rule of a municipal authority prohibiting, in a general and indiscriminate manner, the members of that authority’s staff from visibly wearing in the workplace any sign revealing, in particular, philosophical or religious beliefs may be justified by the …", "paragraph_id": "para_192" }, { "text": "[Signatures]", "paragraph_id": "para_193" }, { "text": "(\n *1\n ) Language of the case: French.", "paragraph_id": "para_194" } ], "word_count": 5552, "cites": [ "C-157/15", "C-804/18", "C-341/19", "C-344/20", "C-64/16", "C-152/17", "C-394/21", "C-570/19" ], "sha256": "f5fdf620e8fa07ddfefd3ad07853050516817b3067bb6b8156eb037947c4dc54", "source_url": "https://publications.europa.eu/resource/celex/62022CJ0148.ENG.xhtml.ECR_62022CJ0148_EN_01.html", "fetched_at": "2026-10-02T21:19:25.724+00:00", "canonical": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/ai/judgments/eu/c-148-22", "risk_graph": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/risk?id=eu:c-148-22", "relations_graph": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/relations?id=eu:c-148-22", "changes": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/eu-praxis/changes", "agent": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/eu-praxis/agent?id=eu:c-148-22" }, "hash": "sha256:9fc89a73b65752cd40b51061cb15db4dd5e06d8ba6ad8c82dffbcc1fc754b854", "version": "legal-2026-10-13", "expires": "2026-10-14T00:00:00.000Z", "dependency": { "index_version": "legal-2026-10-13+legal-2026-10-13+2026-10-13T12:55:18", "content_hash": "sha256:9fc89a73b65752cd40b51061cb15db4dd5e06d8ba6ad8c82dffbcc1fc754b854", "revalidate_after": "2026-10-13T14:23:48.523Z", "max_copy_age_seconds": 3600, "policy": "revalidate-required; attribution-preferred", "changelog": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/dependency", "verify": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/verify", "stale_copy_invalid": true }, "canonical": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/judgment-text?id=eu:c-148-22", "follow": [ { "rel": "risk", "href": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/risk?id=eu:c-148-22" }, { "rel": "relations", "href": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/relations?id=eu:c-148-22" }, { "rel": "agent", "href": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/eu-praxis/agent?id=eu:c-148-22" }, { "rel": "obligations", "href": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/obligation-chain" }, { "rel": "changes", "href": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/whats-new?jurisdiction=eu" } ], "disclaimer": "Source reference with official identifier. 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