Arusha, 3 May 2024: The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Court) has adopted new Practice Directions aimed at guiding potential litigants on procedures to follow before the Court.
The new Practice Directions, adopted on 5 March 2024, are part of ongoing processes to review and align the Court’s working documents with the 2020 Rules of the Court (the Rules).
Key features of the new Practice Directions include procedures on filing of pleadings and service of process; preparation and conduct of physical and virtual public hearings, delivery and notification of decisions and the use of authoritative languages.
The Practice Directions also have an Annexure which offers clarification on the Court’s approach to dealing with various evidentiary matters.
The new Practice Directions replace both the Practice Directions to Guide Potential Litigants which was adopted at the 5th Extraordinary Session of the Court in October 2012 and the Practice Directions for Virtual Sessions in the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights which was adopted in June 2020.
The full Practice Directions can be accessed in Arabic, English, French and Portuguese.
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
- The African Court on Human and People’s Rights is a continental Court established by African countries to ensure the protection of human and peoples’ rights in Africa. The Court is composed of eleven Judges, nationals of Member States of the African Union elected in their individual capacity. The Court meets four times a year in Ordinary Sessions and may hold Extra-Ordinary Sessions.
- The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Protocol) and the Rules of the Court (2020) require the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Court) to formulate Practice Directions.
- The adoption of the Rules of Court in September 2020 has necessitated the review of other legal instruments of the Court to align them to the Rules. The Practice Directions adopted on 5 March 2024 entered into force immediately upon their adoption.
Further information on the Court can be obtained from www.african-court.org
For further inquiries: Dr Robert Eno, Registrar – Robert.Eno@african-court.org
For media inquiries: Chipiliro Kansilanga, Senior Information & Communication Officer
Chipiliro.Kansilanga@african-court.org or AfricanCourtMedia@african-court.org
