03 July 2013

Change in ECHR rules regarding Rule 47 – individual application

On 1 July, new rules came into force in relation to an individual application to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). The new rules will not be implemented until 1 January 2014. The rules signal that the ECtHR will become stricter with applicants on the need to lodge all documents at the time of lodging an application.

A significant change is included in Rule 47 (5). This section previously stated that failure to comply “may” result in an application not being examined. The amended rule now states that failure to comply “will” result in non-examination.

Click here to read the new rules in full.