Arbitration Panel: Deadline extension

The deadline for filing applications for the restitution of property owned by the City of Vienna, by the province Vorarlberg and several municipalities has been extended until the end of 2009.

With its decision of 1 October 2008, the Vienna Municipal Council made use of the opportunity to extend the application deadline for in rem restitution pursuant to the General Settlement Fund Law (GSF Law). The province Voralberg and several municipalities have also extended its deadline.

Hence, until the end of 2009, it is possible to file applications for the restitution of properties which were owned by the City of Vienna, the province Vorarlberg or several municipalities on the cut off day 17 January 2001. The restitution of movable property belonging to Jewish communal organisations can also be applied for by these organisations or their legal successors.

The general application deadline for in rem restitution in accordance with the GSF Law expired on 31 December 2007. Provinces and municipalities which have not yet affiliated themselves with the in rem proceedings of the Arbitration Panel (opt-in) can still make use of this opportunity until the end of 2009, pursuant to Federal Law Gazette I 89/2008. After this date, an opt-in requires the consent of the Arbitration Panel. The relevant deadlines will be announced on the General Settlement Fund website (www.nationalfonds.org).