Abstract
This chapter examines the proceedings at the Strasbourg Court of the European Court of Human Rights. It explains that the Court’s principal role is to pronounce on applications under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and that its judgments are legally binding on respondent States and declaratory in nature. The chapter describes the composition and general procedure of the Court, and discusses the admissibility criteria. It outlines the ongoing reform of the institutions of the Court and measures taken to increase the efficiency of the Court and improve the relationship between the States and the Court.
