The process of applying to the European Court of Human Rights

1.Before applying, make sure that you meet the admissibility criteria of the ECHR.

These are:

a.The application must relate to a violation of a right covered by the ECHR.

b.The domestic remedies must have been exhausted.

c.The application must be made within 4 months of the final decision.

d.The application must not have been submitted to another international body on the same issue.

2. Download the application form from the ECHR website. Fill out the form completely and accurately. The form can be written in either Turkish or other languages. The form should include information such as the identity of the applicant, the subject of the application, the domestic remedies, the rights alleged to have been violated, the compensation requested and the evidence.

3. Send the application form and its attachments to the postal address of the ECHR . Remember that your application will be evaluated according to the date of posting, not the date of registration. You will receive a confirmation letter that your application has been registered.

4. The admissibility of your application will be examined by the ECHR. This process may vary depending on the nature and complexity of your application. If your application is declared admissible, the ECHR will proceed to examine the merits of your application. At this stage, the ECHR may invite the parties to submit written or oral observations. The ECHR may also offer the parties to settle the case by way of a friendly settlement before delivering a judgment on the merits of your application.

5. When the ECHR delivers a judgment on the merits of your application, it will notify you and the other party of its decision. The ECHR judgments become final after three months from the date of delivery unless the parties appeal. The parties may appeal the ECHR judgment by applying to the Grand Chamber. The Grand Chamber has the discretion to accept or reject the appeal application. If the Grand Chamber accepts the appeal application, it will review the case again. The judgments of the Grand Chamber are final.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Ahmet Saat