84Nonexistence does not constitute an independent category of defect in an administrative act, but rather a particular species of defect within the category of nullity. Acts vitiated by very significant defects are only considered to be nonexistent within very strict limits and in extreme cases (see the Opinion of Advocate General Trabucchi in Joined Cases 15/73 to 33/73, 52/73, 53/73, 57/73 to 109/73, 116/73, 117/73, 123/73,132/73 and 135/73 to 137/73 Schots-Kortner and Others v Council [1974] ECR 177). In this case, there was no need to rely on a finding, of the Court's own motion, of a defect entailing nullity, because that defect was relied on in the appeal, although under the title of nonexistence.
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