[EU Law - article 234 reference - from the Lords]
D, Marks and Spencer claim to have overpaid VAT on tea cakes possibly amounting
to more than £3m. This case has already been to the ECJ on one occasion during
its 10 year action.
Held: Food is in general zero-rated, but, explained Lord
Hoffman, there are exceptions. One exception is confectionery. But there is an
exception to that exception: cakes or biscuits are in general also zero-rated.
There is however an exception to that exception to the exception, namely
biscuits wholly or partly covered with chocolate. They are standard-rated. Art
28 of the Sixth Directive being relevant to the directly enforceable right of
the taxpayer.
Matter referred to ECJ a year later, certified question
here.
Whole case
here