Procedural requirements guarantee that: 

  • you are given an opportunity to participate in the court proceedings meaningfully
  • the court process is effective
  • the court process is open to public scrutiny

Guarantees

There are a number of guarantees, which ensure that you are able to understand what is happening in your case and to present your arguments to the court on equal terms with your opponent. These guarantees cover the entire process, starting from your right to use the language you understand, to your rights in the appeals processes where applicable.  

The right to a fair trial also demands that the court process be prompt and effective. This means that the court process and judgment must generally be accessible to public. The judgment must contain sufficient reasoning for you and for members of society to understand why the court has decided in one way or another.

Human Rights Guide

A European platform for human rights education