The protection of human rights offered by the procedures before the European Court of Human Rights relies in particular on the mechanism of individual applications. Since the entry into force of Protocol No. 11, natural and legal persons claiming to be the victim of a violation of the rights set forth in the Convention have direct access to the Court. The training of practitioners with regard to this procedure before the Court and more particularly with regard to the strict criteria of admissibility is therefore essential to give individual applications every chance. Today 90 to 95% of applications submitted to the Court are declared inadmissible. A high failure rate may be understandable when petitions are brought without legal support but is unacceptable when applicants are advised by lawyers. Beyond the admissibility stage, the outcome of the case will be likewise influenced by the quality of legal representation before the Court.

The first day will be dedicated to the pleadings before the European Court of Human Rights. The second day to the right to a fair trial.

The seminar is primarily focused on the practical aspects of the procedure before the Court. Judges and members of the Registry will present the key features of the mechanism of individual application and proceedings before the Court.

The seminar will be interactive and offer time for a broad range of questions. Documentation will be provided to the participants.

SPEAKERS:

Dean SPIELMANN

Judge at the European Court of Human Rights (Luxembourg)

Christoph SCHWAIGHOFFER

Head of Division, Registry of the Court (Austria)

Michelle LAFERTTY
Lawyer, Registry of the Court (United Kingdom)