clr/1988/1988_3_457.pdf

(1988)ion—The European Conventionfor theProtection of HumanRights (Art. 11), ratifiedbyLaw 118/68—TheConventionConcerningFreedomofAs­ sociation andProtection of the Rightto Organize (Convention 87 of the IL.O.), ratifiedby Law 17166, andThe International Covenant on Civil andPoliticalRights (Art.22), ratifiedbyLaw 14/69—Nature,forceandef- 5 feet. Trade Unions-Amendment ofRules—Registration of the Trade UnionsLaw, 196S(Law71/65) section 18

(3)and

(4)—The Trade UnionsRegulations, 1958,Regs10,11 and12—Ifthealteredrulescontain themattersreferred to in the Schedule, theRegistrar of Trade Unions has nodiscretion, but 10 mustregister theamendments. TrtfaeUnions—Amendment of Rules—Registration of—The Trade Unions Law,1965 (Law71/65), sections 18

(3)and49—Non compliancewith the time limit'prescribedinsection 18(3}—Sanctionfor. Executory act—Non registration of amendments of Rulesof a Trade Union 15 coupled with an invitationfor discussions—It amounts to an omission andanegative act,justiciable underArticle 146.1 of theConstitution. ι Applicant 1 isaTradeUnion.Theytookaresolution for partialamend­ mentof their rules.TheRegistrar of TradeUnionsrefused toregisterthe followingamendment, i.e.:(a)Theestablishmentof branchesof theUnion 20 abroad,(b)Theestablishmentof offices of theUnionabroad,and(c) The adoption of avoting system incorrelation totheownershipof tonnageof ships. As far asotherproposedamendmentswereconcerned, theRegistrarin­ viteddiscussionsbetween himandtheapplicants.Hencethisrecourse. 25 Held,annulling thesubjudicedecision:

(1)Thesanction for noncom­ pliancewith section 18of Law 71/65,i.e. tosend thealterations for reg­ istration within thetime-limit thereinreferred to,is tobefound insection 49. Itisnotarefusal of registration.

(2)Thenonregistrationof theamendments (otherthan thosehereina- 30 boveexpresslyreferred to)coupledwithaninvitation for discussionsisan omissionandnegativedecisionofexecutorynature.

(3)Article21.2 of theConstitution,safeguarding "therighttofreedom of associationwithothers,includingtherighttoform andtojointradeun­ ions" should be interpreted in thelightof theInternational Conventions, 35 458 3 C.L.R. Shipowners Union v. Reg.of Trade Marks which, havingbeen ratified bylaw,acquired superior force visavisdomesticlegislationinaccordancewithArticle169.3oftheConstitution. 5

(4)SuchConventionsare:(a)TheConventionConcerningFreedomof Association and Protection of theRight toOrganize (Convention 87of I.L.O.)ratified byLaw 17/66,(b)TheInternationalCovenantonCiviland PoliticalRights(Article22),ratified byLaw 14/69(c)TheEuropeanConvention for theProtection of Human Rightsand Fundamental Freedoms, ratified byLaw 118/68—Article 11. 10

(5)Theaforesaid Conventionsarenotsubjecttoanyconditionofreciprocity.Theyareselfexecuting.Theyarenotpiousdeclarations.Theyareof superiorforce.Theydonotannuldomesticlegislation,buttheydisplaceit 15

(6)Thescopeandmeaningoffreedom ofassociation includes,inrelation totradeunions,inter alia,therightto "form" and to "join" a trade union.The "right toform andtojoin trade unions"should notbetaken literallybutmustbeinterpreted inaccordancewithInternationalLabour Law.Freedomofassociationincludestherighttoworkers'andemployers' organisations "toelecttheirrepresentatives infullfreedom"andtoorganise"theiradministration".

(7)ItfollowsthatnorestrictioncanbeimposedbyDomesticLegisla20 tion ontherightofworkers'oremployers'organisationstodrawuptheirconstitutionsandrulesandtoorganisetheiradministrationandactivities. 25 30

(8)ThematterofregistrationofamendmentsofRulesofaTradeUnion isgoverned bysection 18of Law61/75,andRegulations 10,11and 12of the Trade Union Regulations, 1968.The material words of paragraph3ofsection 18are:(andshallberegisteredbytheRegistrar),andthe matterssetoutintheSchedule.ThewordsoftheLawareplainandmustbe followed.ThedutyandpoweroftheRegistraristoascertainwhetherinthe alteredrulesprovisionismadeinrespectoftheseveralmatterscontainedin theSchedule.Ifyes,thentheregistrationisaministerialactandnotadiscretionaryone.TheLawdoesnotconfer anydiscretion ontheRegistrar. Neither do therelevantRegulations confer discretion on the respondent Registrartoregisterthealteredrules.Haditbeenotherwise,suchprovisionswouldhavebeenultravirestheenablingstatute. Subjudicedecisionannulled. Noorderastocosts. 459 Shipowners Union v. Reg.of Trade Marks

(1988)Casesreferredto: OrphanidesandAnother v.TheImprovementBoardofAyiosDhometios

(1979)3C.L.R.466; IoannidesandOthersv.TheRepublic

(1979)3C.L.R.295; Attorney-Generalv.Georghiou

(1984)2C.L.R. 251; 5 Malachtou v.ArmeftisandAnother

(1987)1 CJ-.R.207; PavlouandAnother v. ChiefReturning OfficerandAnother

(1987)1 C.L.R.252; National UnionofBelgianPolice, Publ.CourtB,Vol.17; Croxfordv.UniversalInsuranceCo.[1936]2K.B.253; 10 Komodromos and Others v. TheRegistrarof TradeUnions

(1983)3 C.L.R. 495; Greek Case2449/1986,TheLegalTribune,Vol.35,Part3-4,p.

1. Recourse. Recourseagainst thedecisionofrespondent 1 wherebyappli- 15 cants'requestfor thepartial alterationoftherulesoftheCypriot ShipownersUnion wasturneddown. Chr.Ph.Clerides,fortheapplicants. A. Papasavvas,Senior Counsel of theRepublic, for therespondents. Cur. adv.vult. 460 20 3 C.L.R. Shipowners Union v. Reg. of Trade Marks STYLIANIDES J. readthefollowingjudgment.Theapplicant No. 1is atradeunionduly registered, underTheTrade Unions Law. The applicant No.2 is the Chairman of the said unionand 5 takes thisrecourse onbehalf of themembersof theunionandall its Officials. Theapplicant tradeunionon 13.2.84infull compliancewith rule 16ofitsRules,providing for theiralteration,duly tookares­ olutionforpartial alterationof anumberof thesaid rules. 10 On23.2.84application intheprescribed form for the registra­ tion of thesaid partial alteration of therules of theunion,duly signed bytheSecretary andseven members,asprovided by Reg­ ulations 10 and 11 of theTrade UnionsRegulations 1968, was sent to theRegistrar. Itis, however, rubber stamp dated as re15 ceived on 21.3.
2. TheRegistrar - respondent 1 on4.2.1985senttothe Secretary of theapplicant unionatits registered address thefollowing letten20 25 "Αναφέρομαι στην αίτηση σας για εγγραφή μερικής τροποποιήσεωςτου καταστατικού τηςΈνωσηςΚυπρίων Εφοπλιστών* με ημερομηνία 23.2.1984 και σας πληροφορώταεξής:
3. Μετά από εξέταση της αίτησης σας κατέληξα στο συμπέρασμα ότι οι τροποποιήσειςτουκαταστατικούτης Ένωσηςοιοποίεςαφορούν: (α) την.ίδρυση Παραρτημάτων της Ένωσης στο εξωτερικό. (β)τηδημιουργίαΓραφείωντηςΈνωσηςστοεξωτερικό και 461 Styllanides J. Shipowners Union v. Reg. of Trade Marks

(1988)(γ) το δικαίωμα των μελών ναέχουνπερισσότερες της μιας"ψήφου, δεν μπορούννα εγγραφούν σύμφωνα με τιςπρόνοιες τουπερίΣυντεχνιώνΝόμουτου 1965 (Ν.71/65). 2. Με βάση τα πιο πάνω, θεωρώ χρήσιμο, όπως 5 επικοινωνήσετε μαζί μου για διευθέτηση συναντήσεως προς συζήτηση των υπολοίπων τροποποιήσεων του καταστατικού της Ένωσης οι οποίες περιέχονται στην αίτησησαςμεημερομηνία23.2.1984". Theapplicants being aggrievedfiled thisrecoursewhereby they 10 seekadeclaration thattheactordecisioncontainedinthe aforesaid letterof4.2.85is nullandvoidandofeffect whatsoever. Counselfor theapplicantssubmitted that theactordecision of theRegistrar, contained in theaforesaid letter,was arefusal of registration of all thealterations,which werepartial alterationsof 15 therules, and therules after thealteration contained the provi­ sions inrespect of severalmattersinthescheduleof the law. Thatthesubjudice decision was takeninexcessandor abuse of power. TheRegistrar actedunderamisconception of law;and finally thatthesubjudice decision iscontrarytoArticle21of the 20 Constitutionof theRepublic andArticle 11 of theEuropean Con­ vention of Human Rights. Counsel for therespondents,ontheotherhand,submittedthat therewas nostrictcompliancewith paragraph 3of section 18of TheTradeUnionsLaw, 1965 (Law No71/65),inthattheappli- 25 cation for registration andthealterations sought tobe registered were not sent to the Registrar within 14days of themaking of suchalterationandtheprescribed fee was notprepaid. ThattheRegistrar has power, undersection 11 of theLaw to carry outaninquiry ortoask further informationinordertosatisfy 30 himself thattheapplicationisinconformity withtheprovisions of 462 3 C.L.R. Shipowners Union v. Reg. of Trade Marks Styllanides J. theLaw. Thattherewasnodecision inparagraph 2of theletterofthe RegistrarwhichcouldbechallengedbeforethisCourt. That the provision in the amended rules, with regard tothe 5 correlationof thevotestotheownershipofthetonnageofships iscontrary tothedemocratic norms,which should apply inthe tradeunionmovement That theestablishment of branches or offices abroad would maketheapplicationoftheLawandtheperformanceoftheduties 101oftheRegistrarimpossible. Inthecourseofthehearing,rightlyinmyview,learnedcounselfortherespondentswithdrewhisobjection basedontheprovisions of section 18

(3)of theTrade Unions Law. Afailure to sentthealterationswithin 14daysdoesnotprecludetheirregis15 tration.Thesanctionfor anydelayissetoutin section49,which providesforpunishment,andinsection 18

(3)itselfwherethealterationtakeseffect'Onlyfromthedateofregistration. Hefurther concededthat,withtheexceptionofthealterations towhichspecificreference ismadeinparagraph 1 oftheletterof 20 4.2.85 (the setting up of branches and offices abroad and the votesofthemembers),thealterationswerenotobjectionableand theRegistrarwouldhaveregisteredthemandonlyinvitedtheapplicantstodiscuss.them,inordertoascertainwhetherinviewof hisrefusal, contained in paragraph 1,they would insist for the 25registrationofthealterationstowhichparagraph2refers. Thenon-registration of theseamendments andtheinvitation for discussion is nothing but a refusal.to register. It is an omission and a negative decision'taken by a public authority, which produces legal results affecting the applicants and is 30 amenabletothejurisdictionofthisCourt,underArticle 146ofthe Constitution -(Orphanides&Anotherv.TheImprovementBoard ofAyios Dhometios

(1979)3C.L.R.466), 163 Styllanides J. Shipowners Union v. Reg. of Trade Marks

(1988)This,being anunfavourable decision,as setoutintheletterof therespondent 1,which is admittedly unjustified in fact andin Law, it was taken in abuse and excess of power and it will be annulled. Section 11refers totheoriginal registration of atradeunion 5 andnottoregistration of alterations of therules andtherefore I neednotdeal with it The second part of the partial alterations sought to be registered refer to the possibility of establishing branches and offices abroad andthevoting entitlementof themembers. 10 Rule 2(c) as amended reads:"Προς ευχερεστέραν παρακολούθησιν θεμάτων αφορώντων την Ένωσιν δυνατόν να διατηρώνται Γραφεία και Παραρτήματα εις πόλιν ή πόλεις του ΕσωτερικούήτουΕξωτερικού". 15 With regard tothevotes of themembers,theamendedrule 8 provides thatthemembers of theunionhave equalrightsexcept therighttovote,which is asperrule 1l(i). Theamendedrule 11

(1)reads:"H Γενική Συνέλευσις αποφασίζει κατ' απόλυτον 20 πλειοψηφίαν.Έκαστον μέλος δικαιούται μίαςψήφου ανά 500πλήρειςΚ.Ο.Χ." And rule 26(b) reads:" ΩσαύτωςηΈνωσιςδιαλύεται δι' αποφάσεωςτων2/3 του συνόλου των εγγεγραμμένωνμελών τηςΕνώσεως εκ- 25 προσωπούντωντα2/3τουσυνολικούαριθμούτωνψήφων της Ενώσεωςλαμβανομένης..." Theapplicants No. 1is aUnionof Employers - ShipOwn­ ers. 464 \ V 3 C.L.R. Shipowners Union v. Reg. of Trade Marks Styllanides J. Therightoffreedomofassociationandtherighttoorganise • areenshrined andsafeguarded byArticle21ofourConstitution,thematerialpartofwhichreadsasfollows:- 5 "1.Every person hastherighttofreedom of peaceful assembly. 10 2.Everypersonhastherighttofreedom ofassociationwith others,including therighttoform andtojoin tradeunionsfor theprotectionofhisinterests.Notwithstandinganyrestriction underparagraph 3ofthisArticle,nopersonshallbecompelled tojoinanyassociationortocontinuetobeamemberthereof. 15 20

1. Norestrictions shall beplaced on theexercise ofthese rightsother than such asareprescribed by lawandareabsolutelynecessaryonlyintheinterestsofthesecurityoftheRepublicortheconstitutionalorderorthepublicsafetyorthepublic orderorthepublic health orthepublicmoralsorfor theprotectionoftherightsandlibertiesguaranteedbythisConstitutiontoanyperson,whetherornotsuchpersonparticipatesin suchassemblyorisamemberofsuchassociation. 4.Anyassociationtheobjectoractivitiesofwhicharecontrarytotheconstitutionalorderisprohibited." TheUniversal Declaration ofHuman Rights,adopted bythe United Nations on 10.12.1948, although not a binding treaty, embodiesprinciplesgenerallyacceptedasacommonstandardof achievement of allpeoplesandallnations.Freedomof associa25 tionandtherighttoformandtojointradeunionsareproclaimed intwoseparateprovisions:Article20,whichappearsinthecatalogue of civil liberties, and Article 23,which forms part of a numberofsocialandeconomicrightsenumeratedinArticles22to
2. 465 Styllanides J. Shipowners Union v. Reg. of Trade Marks

(1988)Thequestion of "freedom, of association" wasplacedonthe agenda of the 30th Sessionof theInternational Labour Conference

(1947),attherequestoftheEconomicandSocialCouncilof theUnitedNations.TheEconomicandSocialCouncilhadpreviouslyreceived from theWorldFederation ofTradeUnionsare- 5 quest toplaceon its agendathequestion of "guarantees for the exerciseanddevelopmentoftradeunionsrights",but,afterexamination of thequestion, decided torequest thatitbeplacedon theagendaoftheInternationalLabourConferenceadoptedaresolutionconcerningthefreedomofassociation andprotectionofthe 10 right toorganiseandtobargaincollectively. The General Conference of the I.L.O. at its 31st Session adoptedonthe9thJuly, 1948,theConventionConcerningFreedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise knownasConvention 87of I.L.O. 15 This Convention was ratified by Law No. 17of 1966 and whichwaspublishedon2/5/1966andthusitispartofourLegal Orderwithstatutoryforceandcameintoforcetwelvemonths after thedateon which itsratification by theRepublicof Cyprus hasbeenregisteredwiththeDirector-GeneraloftheInternational 20 LabourOffice—(see Articles 14and 15oftheConvention). Article 11of theEuropean Convention for theProtectionof HumanRightsandFundamental Freedomsexplicitly proclaims andsafeguardsfreedomofassociationincludingtherighttoform andtherighttojointradeunions. Referencemay,also,bemadetoArticle8oftheInternational CovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsandArticle22 oftheInternationalCovenantonCivilandPolitical Rights,ratifiedin thiscountry under Article 169.3of the Constitution, by Law 14/1969,andenteredintoforceon23rdMarch, 1976. 466; 25 30 V. 3 C.L.R. Shipowners Union v. Reg. of Trade Marks Styllanides J. The aforesaid Conventions and Covenants; which were ratified under Article 169.3of the Constitution, became part of our Legal Order with superior force over any Municipal Law, both anterior andposterior, asfromthedate that they came into force 5 under International Law.The Constitution under Article 179.1is thesupremelawof theRepublic.ATreaty orConvention isinferior tothe Constitution, but asaforesaid isof higher hierarchical legal valuethan theDomestic Legislation. They certainly do not annul such legislation, but they displace it. AConvention does 10 not stricto sensu repeal theMunicipal Law, but hasonly superior force toit,inthesensethatit hasprecedenceinitsapplication re' suitinginthenon application of inferior law,enacted either prior or subsequent totheratification of the International Convention. Theconditionofreciprocity doesnotapplyintheabove interna15 tional Conventions andCovenants,astheirobject isnottocreate any subjectiveorreciprocalrightstotheStatePartiesthemselves, butitsobjective andintent isthepromotion ofvalues andtheprotection of human rights. They are self executing and their provisions arenot pious declarations. (SeeIoannides &Others v. Re20 public

(1979)3 C.L.R. 295;Attorney-General v. Georghiou

(1984)2 C.L.R. 251, at pp. 287, 294 and 302-303, Toulla G. Malachtou v.Christodoulos G.Armeftis and Another,

(1987)1 C.L.R. 207 and my Judgment in Pavlos Pavlou and Another v. The ChiefReturning OfficerandAnother,

(1987)1C.L.R. 252. 25 The scopeandmeaning of freedom of association includes,in relation to trade unions, inter alia, the right to "form" and to "join"atrade union. In interpteting the meaning and scope of the notion of "freedom of association" in Article 21of theConstitution, inrelation 30 tptradeunipns,regard should behad tothemeaning given tothis term inArticle 11of theEuropean Convention of Human Rights andparticularlytothemeaninggivenintheI.L.O.Conventionof 467 Styllanides J. Shipowners Union v. Reg. of Trade Marks

(1988)1948(No.87),ConcerningFreedomof Associationand ProtectionoftheRighttoOrganise.The"righttoform andtojointrade unions"shouldnotbetakenliterally butbeinterpretedinaccordancewithInternationalLabourLaw—(seecaseofNationalUnionofBelgianPolicePubl.CourtB.Vo. 17). 5 Amongtheelementsofthefreedom ofassociation,asenunciatedinPartIof the 1948Convention,Article3ofthatConvention includestherightof workers'andemployers'organisations "toelect theirrepresentatives infull freedom" andto organise"theiradministration". 10 Article3oftheConventionof 1948,(No.87)reads:"1. Workers' and employers'organisations shall havethe right todrawuptheirconstitutionsandrules,toelecttheirrepresentatives infullfreedom,toorganisetheir administration andactivitiesandtoformulatetheirprogrammes. 15 2.Thepublicauthoritiesshallrefrainfromanyinterference which wouldrestrictthisrightorimpedethelawful exercise thereof." Article8 whichmaybesaidthatitrefersto"legality",was confined meticulously byitsdrafters soastostateonlyrespectto 20 theLawoftheLand;butinthesecondparagraphthereofitplainly enunciated thattheLaw of theLand shallnotbesuch astoimpair,norshallitbesoappliedastoimpair,theguaranteesprovidedforinthisConvention. Paragraph3ofArticle22oftheCovenantofCivilandPolitical 25 Rights expressly refers to the 1948 Convention and expressly statesthatnothing inthatArticleshallauthorize StatePartiesto theI.L.O.Convention of 1948ConcerningFreedomofAssociationandProtection of the Right toOrganise to take legislative measureswhich wouldprejudice, ortoapplytheLawinsucha 30 mannerastoprejudice theguaranteesprovided for inthatConvention. 468 3 C.L.R. Shipowners Union v. Reg. of Trade Marks Styllanides J Fromall theabove itusplain thatthereis averyclose affinity between our ConstitutionandtheInternationalConventionsand Covenantstowhichreference hasbeenmade. Theaforesaid inter­ national instruments are notonly relevant, but should serve asa 5 guide totheinterpretationofourconstitutional provisions. TheTradeUnionsLaw andany provisions thereof, which are repugnant or inconsistent, either to the Constitution,or tothe aforesaid international instruments,are notvalid or enforceable, as ordinary legislation is displaced by InternationalTreaties or 10 Conventions andcannot survive if repugnant toor inconsistent with the Constitution. Norestriction canbeimposed by DomesticLegislation onthe right of workers or employers oigdiu:»diiuii& to draw up their constitutions and rules and toorganise their administration and 15 activities. Therighttovoteintheamendedconstitutioncorrelates to the members' ownership of tonnage in ships. Nevertheless, for the dissolution of theunion,thevotes of the2/3of themembersare, alsorequired andnot only the2/3of thevotes. 20' 25 30 Has theRegistrar tHediscretion and thepower toregister or not partially altered rules of a trade union under theDomestic Law? The matter is governed by section 18

(3)and

(4)of the TradeUnionsLaw, which read as follows:"

(3)Αντίγραφον παντός νέου άρθρου του καταστατικούωςκαιπάσηςτροποποιήσεως γενομένης εις το καταστατικόν εγγεγραμμένης συντεχνίας αποστέλλεται τω Εφόρωεντός δεκατεσσάρων ημερών απότηςημερομηνίαςκαθ'ηνεγένετοτονέον άρθρον ή ητροποποίησιςτουκαταστατικού,καιεγγράφεταιυπό του Εφόρουτη καταβολήνέου νενομισμέ'νου τέλους. «469 Styllanides J. Shipowners Union v. Reg. of Trade Marks

(1988)Παν νέον άρθρον και πάσα τροποποίησις του καταστατικού τίθενται εν ισχύι από της εγγραφής αυτών εκτός οσάκις καθορίζηται μεταγενέστερα ημερομηνία εναυτώτούτωτωκαταστατικά).

(4)Το καταστατικόν εγγεγραμμένης συντεχνίας δεν 5 δύναταινατροποποιηθήκατάτοιούτον τρόπονώστε τούτο να μη διαλαμβάνη οιονδήποτε των εν τω Παραρτήματι καθοριζομένωνζητημάτων." The Trade Unions Regulations, 1968, made pursuant to section 58 of Law 71/65,werepublishedin the Cyprus Gazette 10 underNo.681,dated25/9/

1. Regulations 10, 11 and 12refer tothe Registration of partial alteration of therules and theissueof certificate of registration. They read as follows:"
2. Τροποποίησις, τουκαταστατικούεγγεγραμμένης 15 συντεχνίας δύναταινα είναι είτε(α) μερική τροποποίησις, συνισταμένη εις την προσθήκην εις το υφιστάμενον καταστατικόν νέου άρθρουή μέ­ ρους άρθρουήάρθρων,ήεις την αντικατάστασινοιουδή­ ποτε των υφισταμένων διανέουάρθρουήμέρους άρθρου 20 ήάρθρων ήεις την διαγραφήνοιουδήποτε των υφισταμέ­ νων άρθρωνή μέρους αυτού,άνευ οιασδήποτεαντικατα­ στάσεως αυτού, ήεις πλείονας της μιαςήαπάσας τας με­ θόδουςταύτας είτε (β) πλήρης τροποποίησις συνισταμένη εις την 25 αντικατάστασιν του υφισταμένου καταστατικούδιά νέου πλήρουςκαταστατικού. Αίτησιςπροςεγγραφήνμερικήςτροποποιήσεως τουκα­ ταστατικούυποβάλλεται υπότουΓραμματέως καιεπτά,ή εν περιπτώσει εμπιπτούση ειςτην επιφύλαξιντουεδαφίου 30 470 3 C.L.R. Shipowners Union v. Reg. of Trade Marks Styllanides J.

(2)του άρθρου8τουΝόμουτριών μελώντης συντεχνίας, δέον να είναι εντω Τύπω αρ. 7εντω ΠρώτώΠινάκικαι συνοδεύηται υπό εντύπου αντιγράφου του υφισταμένου καταστατικούκαιυπότων ακολούθων εγγράφων: 5 10 25 20 25 30 (α)εάνημερική τροπόποίησις συνίσταται ειςτηνπροσθήκην ή αντικατάστασιν νέου άρθρου ή μέρους άρθρου τουκαταστατικού,δύοαντιγράφωντουτοιούτουάρθρου/ή άρθρωνήμέρους άρθρουήτωντοιούτων άρθρων,εκάστου αντιγράφου σημειουμένου "Β"καιυπογεγραμμένου υφ' εκάστουτων αιτητών. (β) εάν η.μερική τροποποίησις συνίσταται ειςτην διαγραφήν οιουδήποτε των άρθρων του καταστατικά άνευ οιασδήποτε αντικαταστάσεως, δύο αντιγράφων της *διά την τοιαύτην διαγραφήν αποφάσεως, εκάστου αντιγράφου σημειουμένου "Β"καιυπογεγραμμένου υφ' εκάστουτων αιτητών. Προτού εγγράψη την μερικήν τροποποίησιν του κατα­ στατικούοΈφοροςεξακριβόίότιτοκαταστατικόντηςσυν­ τεχνίας, εάν τροποποιηθήσυμφώνως προς την προτεινομένην μερικήν τροποποίησιν, θα προβλέπη περί πάντων των ζητημάτων τα οποία απαιτούνται υπότουΝόμου όπως προβλέπωνται εντωκαταστατικώ εγγεγραμμένης συντεχνίας. 12. Το πιστοποιητικόν εγγραφής μερικής τροποποιήσεως καταστατικούδέον ναείναι εντω Τύπω • Αρ. 8 εν τω Πρώτω Πίνακϊ και αποσταλή εις τον Γραμματέα της συντεχνίας συνημμένον εις εν των αντιγράφων του νέου άρθρου ή'των νέων άρθρωντου καταστατικούήότανητροποποίησις συνίσταται ειςαπλήν διαγραφήν,συνημμένον ειςτο παλαιόν καταστατικόν." (Englishversion: 471 Stylianides J. Shipowners Union v. Reg. of Trade Marks

(1988)"10.An alteration of therulesof aregistered tradeunion maybeeither(a)apartialalteration,consistingoftheadditionofanew rule orpart of arule orrules to theexisting rules, orof the substitution ofanewruleorpartof aruleorrulesfor anyof 5 theexistingrules,orof adeletionofanyoftheexistingrules oranypart thereof without any substitution orof morethan oneorallofthosemodes;or (b)acompletealterationconsistingofthesubstitutionofan entiresetofrulesfortheexistingsetofrules. 10 11.Anapplication fortheregistrationofapartialalteration ofrulesshallbemadebythesecretaryandsevenmembersof thetradeunion,andshallbeintheFormNo.7intheFirstAppendixhereto,and shallbeaccompanied byaprintedcopyof theexistingrules,andbythefollowingdocuments:(a)ifthepartialalterationconsistsoftheadditionorsubstitution of a newrule or part of arule orrules, twocopiesof suchruleorpartofaruleorrules,eachcopybeingmarkedB, andsignedbyeachoftheapplicants; (b)ifthepartialalterationconsistsofthedeletionofanyof 20 theruleswithoutanysubstitution,twocopiesoftheresolution for suchdeletion, each copy beingmarked B,and signedby eachoftheapplicants; The Registrar, before registering thepartial alteration of rules shall ascertain that the rules of the trade union, if 25 altered in accordance with the proposed partial alteration, will provide for all the matters required by the Law to be provided for in the rules of a registered trade union. 12.Thecertificateofregistrationofapartialalterationshall beintheFormNo.8intheFirstAppendixheretoandshallbe 30 forwarded tothesecretaryofthetradeunionattachedtooneof 472 15 3 C.L.R. Shipowners Union v. Reg. of Trade Murks Styllanides J. thecopies of the new rule orrules, or,when thealterationcon­ sistsof deletion merely, attachedtotheold set of rules.") Thematerial words of paragraph 3of section 18are: 5 "και εγγράφεται υπό του Εφόρου" (and shall be registered by theRegistrar) and thematerial pan of paragraph 4 is thatthealteredrules shall containall thematterssetoutin theSchedule. Thewords of theLaw areplain andmustbe followed. In Croxford v. Universal Insurance Co. , [1936] 2 K.B. 10 . 253, at p. 281 Scott L.J. said:"Where thewords of an Act of Parliamentareclear, thereis no room for applying any of the principles of interpretation, which are merely presumptions in cases of ambiguity in the Statute". 15 Thewords of section 18

(3)areclear and unambiguous. Theduty and power of theRegistrar is toascertain whetherin the altered rules provision is made in respect of the several mat> ters contained in the Schedule. If yes, then the registration, is a ministerial actand notadiscretionary one.The Law does not con20 fer any discretion on the Registrar. Neitherdo therelevant Regu­ lations confer discretion on the respondent Registrar to register the altered rules. Had it been otherwise, such provisions would have been ultra vires theenabling statute. The provisions of the Law are mandatory. (See GeorghiosKomodromosand Othersv. 25 TheRegistrar of Trade Unions

(1983)3C.L.R. 495.) Thedrawing of theconstitution and rules of trade unions and the organisation of their administration and activities are within the right of freedom of association, safeguarded by the Constitution and the international instruments to which I have 30 referred, andany interference by theRegistrar is an impermissible 473 Styllanides J. Shipowners Union v. Reg. of Trade Marks /

(1988)restriction upon such rights, which iscontrary to the Convention 87 of the I.L.O. Useful reference may bemade,alsotoarecentcaseinGreece, Case No. 2449/1986, reported in the Legal Tribune, Vol. 35, Part 3-4,March- April 1987,p.401, whereitwasheld thatunder 5 Article 28

(1)of the Greek Constitution (which is similar to our Article 169.3) theprovisionsofArticle 11of theTreatyof Rome of 4/11/50 and of I.L.O. Convention 87, ratified by the Greek State, had superior force to the Domestic Legislation and that the organisations of workers and employers are free to 10 determine matters relating to their administration and any State,had superior force totheDomestic Legislation and thatthe organisation were altered so as that all the members of the committees be elected amongst the representatives of the societies - members, who were not Greek citizens. Section 15 107 of Introductory Law to the Civil Code restricted the members of foreigners to an equal number to Greek citizens. The Greek Court relying on Articles 11 and 14 of the Convention of Rome and Article 3 of I.L.O. Convention 87, in conjunction with article 28 para. 1 of the Greek 20 Costitution,declared thatthealteration was lawful. Before concluding Iwould like to stressthat itis theduty, not only of the Courts, but all authorities of theRepublic, including executive - administrative and legislative, to secure within the limitsoftheirrespectivecompetencetheefficient application,both 25 of the Part II of the Constitution - Fundamental Rights and Liberties - and the ratified International Conventions for the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms declared and safeguarded thereby. For all the afore reasons the subjudice decision is declared 30 null andvoid andof noeffect whatsoever. Lettherebenoorderastocosts. Subjudice decisionannulled. •Noorderas to costs'. 474