If you are considering an application to the European Court of Human Rights, the lawyer you choose — and how early you involve them — often decides the outcome. Most applications never reach a hearing: they are rejected at the admissibility stage on procedural grounds. Our ECHR lawyers represent applicants at every stage of a Strasbourg case, from the first assessment of your prospects to the enforcement of the Court’s judgment. Your initial case evaluation is free of charge.
When you need an ECHR lawyer
You can lodge an application to the European Court of Human Rights yourself, but the rules are technical and unforgiving. It makes sense to instruct a lawyer when:
- your national courts have rejected your case and you believe a Convention right was breached;
- you face an imminent deadline — applications must be lodged within four months of the final domestic decision;
- you need an urgent interim measure under Rule 39 to stop an extradition, expulsion or removal;
- you are unsure whether your complaint meets the admissibility criteria;
- you want your application drafted so that the Convention arguments are properly preserved and persuasive.
How our ECHR lawyers represent you
- Filing your application — drafting and lodging a complaint that survives the admissibility filter and frames the Convention issues clearly.
- Admissibility assessment — checking your case against every condition: the four-month rule, exhaustion of domestic remedies and victim status.
- Rule 39 interim measures — emergency requests to halt irreversible harm while your case is decided.
- Representation on the merits — written observations and, where the Court holds one, the hearing.
- After the judgment — just satisfaction under Article 41 and supervision of the State’s compliance.
Why work with us
- Focused on Strasbourg. We work exclusively with the European Convention system, not general litigation.
- Judgment-led. Our arguments are built on the Court’s own case law — browse the judgments we analyse in our ECHR case law database.
- Multilingual team. We act for applicants across Council of Europe states and work in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Romanian. Meet the lawyers on our team.
- Clear from the start. A free initial assessment of your prospects and a transparent cost estimate before you commit.
Areas we handle by Convention Article
We regularly advise and represent applicants on complaints under, among others, Article 3 (prohibition of torture), Article 5 (liberty and security), Article 6 (fair trial), Article 8 (private and family life) and Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 (protection of property).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a lawyer to apply to the European Court of Human Rights?
You are not required to have a lawyer to lodge an application, and legal representation only becomes mandatory once the case is communicated to the respondent State. However, because most applications are rejected on admissibility grounds, an early professional assessment significantly reduces the risk of an avoidable rejection.
How much does an ECHR lawyer cost?
The initial assessment of your case is free. Fees for preparing and running an application are agreed in advance, with a clear estimate, so there are no surprises. Additional costs — such as translations and certified copies — are always discussed upfront.
Can you request urgent Rule 39 interim measures?
Yes. Where you face imminent and irreversible harm — for example an extradition or expulsion — we can prepare and file a Rule 39 request asking the Court to indicate an interim measure while your case is examined. These are time-critical, so contact us as early as possible.
Which countries do you cover?
The European Court of Human Rights hears cases against Council of Europe member states. We act for applicants across those states and correspond with clients internationally; our offices are in Cyprus and London.