European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)

How to apply to the European Court of Human Rights?

Human rights violations can happen in any country, and when national courts fail to provide justice, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) becomes the last hope. If you believe your rights have been violated, applying to the ECHR could be a decisive step.

In this article, we will provide a detailed overview of how to properly apply to the European Court of Human Rights and explain how our law firm can assist you in this process.

Step 1: Determine the grounds for appeal

First and foremost, it is important to determine whether there are grounds in your case to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. The court considers complaints of violations guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights. Key articles that may be violated:

• Article 2: Right to life
• Article 3: Prohibition of torture
• Article 5: Right to liberty and security
• Article 6: Right to a fair trial
• Article 8: Right to respect for private and family life
• Article 10: Freedom of expression

Our team of lawyers will help you determine which rights were violated in your case and assess the prospects of applying to the European Court of Human Rights.

Step 2: Exhaustion of national remedies

Before applying to the ECHR, you must exhaust all available national remedies:

• Go through all court instances: local courts, appeals, and cassation instances.
• Appeal to state authorities: ombudsman, prosecutor’s office, etc.

Important! Without exhausting national remedies, your complaint to the European Court of Human Rights will be deemed inadmissible.

Our lawyers will ensure proper handling of all national instances and help gather the necessary evidence.

Step 3: Adhering to deadlines for filing a complaint

The complaint to the European Court of Human Rights must be filed within four months from the date of the final national court decision.

• The deadlines are strict: missing the deadline will result in the rejection of the complaint.
• Start preparing in advance: this will allow time to prepare the documents thoroughly.

We monitor all deadlines and ensure timely filing of the complaint.

Step 4: Preparing the complaint

Filling out the official form

• The application form is available on the official ECHR website.
• It must be completed in English or French.
• It includes a detailed description of the facts, violated rights, and arguments.

Submitting the necessary documents

• Copies of all national court decisions.
• Evidence of human rights violations: medical certificates, testimonies, photos, videos.
• Documents proving the exhaustion of national remedies.

Our specialists will help you correctly fill out the form and gather all necessary documents.

Step 5: Sending the complaint to the ECHR

• The complaint is sent by physical mail to the address:
• It is recommended to send the letter with acknowledgment of receipt.

We ensure proper preparation and mailing of the complaint.

Step 6: Admissibility check

• Formal check: the court assesses compliance with the form and deadlines.
• Exhaustion of national remedies: the court checks whether all available options at the national level were used.

If necessary, we provide additional explanations and documents.

Step 7: Case review on the merits

• Exchange of memoranda: additional arguments may be requested.
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Here’s the translation:

Step 7: Substantive Consideration of the Case

• Exchange of Memoranda: possible request for additional arguments.
• Hearing: in some cases, oral hearings are held.
• Duration of Consideration: from several months to several years.

We represent your interests at all stages of consideration.

Table: Brief Procedure for Appealing to the European Court of Human Rights

Why Us?

Appealing to the European Court of Human Rights is a complex process that requires a professional approach:

• Deep knowledge of international law and the practice of the European Court.
• Experience in preparing complaints and representation in court.
• Proficiency in the official languages of the court at a high level.

You will receive:

• Many years of experience in successful work with the European Court of Human Rights.
• Individual approach to each client.
• Full support from consultation to execution of the court’s decision.
• Highly qualified lawyers who continuously enhance their qualifications.

We understand how important it is for you to protect your rights and are ready to make every effort to achieve a positive result.

How We Will Work

Step 1: Contact Us. To start, you just need to fill out the form on our website or give us a call. We will get in touch with you immediately to clarify the details.

Step 2: Get a Consultation. After the initial contact, we will schedule a convenient time for a consultation. The consultation will continue until all your questions are answered. During it, you will be able to describe your situation, and we will provide you with an initial case assessment and the prospects for its fastest resolution.

Step 3: Strategy Development. Based on the information provided, we will develop an individual plan that takes into account all the specifics of your case. You will learn about the specific steps we will take to ensure the desired result and a successful outcome in court.

Step 4: Legal Support. After the strategy is approved, we begin working. Our lawyers handle your case from start to finish, ensuring the protection of your interests at every stage—from document preparation to court representation.

Step 5: Achieving Results. Upon completing the case, you will receive a detailed report of the work done and, most importantly, the resolution of your problem. We will support you until you get the desired result and all issues are resolved.

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