European Human Rights

The European Court of Human Rights ("ECHR") was established in 1959 under the European Human Rights Convention.  Individuals can now bring claims of violations of the Convention directly to the Court.  

The Court hears the following types of cases:

• Private Petitions - brought by an individual against a state party alleging a violation of one or more rights guaranteed by the Convention.
• Interstate Complaints - brought by one state party against another.
• Requests for Advisory Opinions -  issued by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

Most adjudications on the merits are heard by a chamber of seven judges.  Under certain circumstances, a judgment may be reviewed by grand chamber of 17 judges.