Judgment of the Court (Third Chamber) of 29 November 2007 (reference for a preliminary ruling from the Högsta domstolen — Sweden) — Kerstin Sundelind Lopez v Miguel Enrique Lopez Lizazo

(Case C-68/07) (1)

(Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003 - Articles 3, 6 and 7 - Jurisdiction - Recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters and matters of parental responsibility - Jurisdiction in divorce proceedings - Respondent not a national or a resident of a Member State - National rules providing for exorbitant jurisdiction)

(2008/C 22/29)

Language of the case: Swedish

Referring court

Högsta domstolen

Parties to the main proceedings

Applicant: Kerstin Sundelind Lopez

Defendant: Miguel Enrique Lopez Lizazo

Re:

Reference for a preliminary ruling — Högsta domstolen — Interpretation of Articles 3, 6 and 7 of Council Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003 of 27 November 2003 concerning jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters and the matters of parental responsibility, repealing Regulation (EC) No 1347/2000 (OJ 2003 L 338, p. 1) — Jurisdiction for divorce proceedings where the respondent is neither resident within a Member State nor a citizen of a Member State

Operative part of the judgment

Articles 6 and 7 of Council Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003 of 27 November 2003 concerning jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters and the matters of parental responsibility, repealing Regulation (EC) No 1347/2000, as amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 2116/2004 of 2 December 2004, as regards treaties with the Holy See, are to be interpreted as meaning that where, in divorce proceedings, a respondent is not habitually resident in a Member State and is not a national of a Member State, the courts of a Member State cannot base their jurisdiction to hear the petition on their national law, if the courts of another Member State have jurisdiction under Article 3 of that regulation.

(1)  OJ C 82, 14.4.2007.