Time Limit to Apply to the ECtHR Reduced from 6 Months to 4 Months

Following ratification of Protocol No. 15 to the European Convention of Human Rights by all Member States, the time limit to lodge an application before the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has been reduced from 6 months to 4 months, as of the date of exhaustion of all domestic remedies.

Protocol No. 15 was originally adopted on 24 June 2013, but had been long awaiting ratification by all member states. The final ratification by Italy on 21 April 2021 triggered the Protocol’s entry into force in all Member States from 1 August 2021. The reduced application period of 4 months will become effective from 1 February 2022.