EJTN’s first study visit of 2023 took place at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France, from 27 February to 1 March. The visit included guided tours of key institutions, including the European Parliament and Council of Europe, as well as the European Court of Human Rights itself. It was conducted entirely in French.

Almost 40 people took part in the study visit, which offered a unique opportunity to gain insights into the inner workings of the Court, European institutions, and international organisations. Participants included judges, prosecutors, court and prosecution staff, and judicial trainers from 15 EU Member States. They had the chance to meet key decision-makers and colleagues from other countries and to learn about the latest case law in human rights.

During the visit, participants met with officials to learn about topics including the execution of the Court’s judgments, the work of its administration service, and the work of the judges. They also had the opportunity to explore the HUDOC case law database. The highlight of the trip was attending a Grand Chamber hearing, where participants saw first-hand how a hearing is conducted, along with the interaction between the judges and the other parties.

As well as these valuable learning opportunities, the study visit provided extensive networking opportunities. Participants were able to connect with their counterparts from other European countries, share their experiences, and build connections that could prove beneficial for their careers.

Note for editors

EJTN’s study visits to the European Court of Human Rights was launched in 2010, and provides a valuable insight into the Court’s operations and case law. Visits are conducted in either French or English.

Every year, 180 participants have the opportunity to learn about the Court’s competencies, procedures and case law, as well as attending a court hearing and engaging with judges from the Court.

Are you a judge, prosecutor, or court staff member in an EU Member State? Would you like to learn more about the European Court of Human Rights?

In April, the EJTN Exchange Programme will launch its call for applications for study visits in the second half of 2023. EJTN will provide financial support by reimbursing travel expenses and offering daily allowances for participants.

For more information on how to apply, please reach out to your national training institution, visit: https://exp-platform.ejtn.eu or contact us at exchangeprogramme@ejtn.eu.