Application period to the ECtHR reduced from 6 to 4 months
The 6-month period for application to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has been reduced to 4 months as of February 1, 2022.
Protocol number 15 amending the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), adopted by 47 member states of the Council of Europe, entered into force on 1 August 2021.
In the first paragraph of the amended Article 35 of the Additional Protocol, "Application can be made to the Court only after the exhaustion of domestic remedies in accordance with the generally accepted principles of international law and within a period of four months from the date of the final decision in domestic law." It was stated that the provision would enter into force 6 months after the protocol.
In this context, the new 4-month period for application to the court came into effect yesterday (Tuesday, 1st February 2022).
This time limit will apply to applications for a final domestic decision on or after 1 February 2022.
If the final decision in domestic law is given before 1 February 2022, the application to be made on the basis of this decision will be subject to a 6-month period but not a 4-month period.
