68It should be recalled at the outset that in all proceedings in which sanctions, especially fines or penalty payments, may be imposed observance of the rights of the defence is a fundamental principle of Community law which has been emphasised on numerous occasions in the case-law of the Court (see, inter alia, Case C-194/99 P Thyssen Stahl v Commission [2003] ECR I-10821, paragraph 30).
Source: EUR-Lex, © European Union, 1998-2026. Reuse authorised under Decision 2011/833/EU.