Information for applicants

Depending on the case, applications are allocated to one of the Court’s judicial formations, namely:

• a single judge
• a Committee
• a Chamber

Processing of cases before the Court

My application to the Court

Communication is the notification of the application to the respondent Government.

The proceedings may then be divided into two consecutive phases. During the non-contentious phase, the parties are invited to explore the possibility of a friendly settlement, within a period of 12 weeks. If they do not reach an agreement, the proceedings enter a contentious phase during which they exchange their observations.
Procedure following communication of an application - non-contentious phase
Procedure following communication of an application - contentious phase

The proceedings may also consist in a single phase if such division is not appropriate, in which case the question of a possible friendly settlement and the exchange of observations will be dealt with simultaneously.

Procedure following communication of an application - single phase

The Court has introduced a non-contentious procedure from the communication of the case, the point where notice of the application is given to the respondent Government. This mechanism allows the parties to reach a friendly settlement, with the aim of reducing case-processing time and ensuring speedier resolution of the dispute.

Video

eComms is a tool enabling applicants’ representatives to communicate with the Court by electronic means. This method of sending and receiving documents electronically may be put in place at the Court’s initiative only at the procedural stage of communication, i.e. when the application has been communicated to the respondent Government.

eComms Video

Guidelines on submitting pleadings following simplified communication

To be read together with the Practice direction issued by the President of the Court in accordance with Rule 32 of the Rules of Court.

Electronic filing