15/01/2009 (Agence Europe) - In its 15 January conclusions, the Advocate General, Juliane Kokott, declared that it is legally justifiable that the British system exempts the Royal Mail from VAT. Kokott justified her conclusions by the fact that the British post office provides a universal service and is “defined and controlled in the general interest” (C-357/07). This is not to the liking of its rival TNT Post Ltd UK, which went to the High Court of Justice of England and Wales against this exemption, which Ms Kokott deems compatible with the sixth VAT directive (77/388/EEC) of the Council and the directive on postal services (97/67/EC) of the Parliament and Council. The definitive ruling of the Court is expected in the next few weeks. Preliminary questions were submitted by the British legal authorities in July 2007. (C.D./transl.rh)