Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Basic Information on the ECtHR Application Procedure

What Rights Are Protected by the Convention and Its Protocols?

The European Convention on Human Rights and its Protocols guarantee a wide range of fundamental rights.

These include, in particular:

The right to life,

The right to a fair trial in both civil and criminal proceedings,

The right to respect for private and family life,

Freedom of expression,

Freedom of thought, conscience and religion,

The right to an effective remedy,

The right to property (peaceful enjoyment of possessions),

The right to vote and to stand for election.

What Prohibitions Are Contained in the Convention and Its Protocols?

The Convention also protects individuals through a number of fundamental prohibitions, including:

The prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment,

The prohibition of unlawful or arbitrary detention,

The prohibition of discrimination in the enjoyment of Convention rights,

The prohibition on preventing a person from entering his or her own country and the prohibition on expelling nationals,

The abolition of the death penalty,

The prohibition of the collective expulsion of aliens.

What Types of Complaints Can I Bring Before the Court?

Your application must concern one or more rights protected by the European Convention on Human Rights.

This covers a wide range of alleged violations, including, for example:

Violations of the right to respect for private and family life,
Restrictions on freedom of expression or correspondence,
Interference with freedom of assembly,
Expulsion or extradition proceedings,
Confiscation of property or expropriation.

The ECtHR examines only alleged violations of rights protected by the European Convention on Human Rights. Alleged violations of rights contained in other international instruments (such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights or the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union) fall outside the Court's jurisdiction.

How Can I Apply to the Court?

An application is made by submitting a fully completed and signed application form to the Court.

The application form and all supporting documents should be sent by post to:

The Registrar

European Court of Human Rights

Council of Europe

67075 Strasbourg Cedex

France

Language

You may submit your application in English or French, the Court’s official languages, or in the official language of any Contracting State to the Convention.

Method of Submission

Applications must be sent by post.

Sending documents by fax does not interrupt the six-month or four-month time limit.

Only the original signed application form is accepted; photocopies or submissions by email are insufficient.

There is no need to travel to Strasbourg in person. The Court does not hear applicants in person at the application stage, and doing so will not accelerate the proceedings.

Requests for Additional Information

The Registry of the Court may ask you to provide additional information, documents or explanations.

If this happens, complete the requested documents carefully, legibly and as promptly as possible.

The Application Form Should Include:

A summary of the facts and complaints,

The Convention rights alleged to have been violated,

Details of the domestic remedies pursued,

Copies of the relevant decisions of the national authorities,

The original handwritten signature of the applicant or the representative.

Documents submitted to the Court are not returned. Therefore, only copies should be sent, not originals.

Confidentiality of Identity

If you wish your identity to remain confidential, you should inform the Court immediately and explain the reasons for your request.

The President of the Chamber will decide whether anonymity should be granted.

Representation

A lawyer is not required at the initial stage of the proceedings.

However, if you choose to be represented by a lawyer, the “Authority” section of the application form must be completed and signed.

How Does the Procedure Before the Court Work?

Preliminary Examination (Admissibility)

The Court first examines whether your application satisfies the admissibility requirements. If the conditions laid down in the Convention are not met, the application will be declared inadmissible. Where an application contains several complaints, some may be declared admissible while others are rejected.

Finality

A decision declaring an application inadmissible is final and cannot be appealed.

Friendly Settlement

Where an application is declared admissible, the Court encourages the parties (the applicant and the respondent State) to reach a friendly settlement.