Although it’s been around for a lot longer than 20 years, the European Court of Human Rights only became a full-time institution in 1998, which means it’s just turned twenty.
Hard to believe the Spice Girls have been around longer!
Despite its youth, the Court is a judicial giant, responsible for safeguarding the rights of citizens in Europe and beyond and has presided over famous cases.
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Although Brexit may ultimately reshape our relationship with the Court, if you’re about to launch your legal career with a position from s1jobs, there are some fast facts you should know.
The whole truth
The Court was established in 1959 on the basis of Article 19 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Based in Strasbourg, it’s technically composed of 47 member states and so has 47 judges.
As well as judges, human rights lawyers, caseworkers and project specialists are all employed here.
Your number’s up
Following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 applications to the Court rose dramatically.
In 1999 just 8400 applications were allocated to be heard. By 2009 applications had reached almost 53,000.
Sınce 1959, over 16,000 judgments have been delivered. The most frequent violations are to Article 6: the right to a fair trial.
Case by case
The Court allows individuals, non-governmental organisations or groups of individuals to lodge complaints of violations of human rights against states signed up to the Convention.
Not every case can be heard by the Court, so it’s at the discretion of judge rapporteurs to decide if a case has the necessary merits. They are tasked with marshalling the arguments between two parties. If a case is deemed admissible, it may proceed.
In 2017, the Court dealt with 511 applications regarding the UK with 506 of these – a whopping 99% –deemed inadmissible or struck out.
Who’s the boss?
In the legal profession – and particularly in matters of judiciary – impartiality is essential at all times.
In the European Court of Human Rights judges typically preside over proceedings to ensure order is maintained, determine whether evidence is admissible, establish facts, and deliver verdicts or rulings.
Meet the specialists
Human Rights Lawyers are often drafted in to plead cases. Experts on Human Rights Conventions, these specialist lawyers defend those who feel their rights have been violated by a state entity.
Advocates for justice, they work alone or with large teams to investigate, analyse and defend cases relating to the marginalised or maligned.
If you’re keen to find a new career in law – whether as a lawyer, advocate, legal secretary or judge – your dream job could be just a click away. Head to s1jobs now to search the latest Legal vacancies.