Visits

Guided Tours of the Tribunal

Guided tours of the Tribunal may be organised when the Tribunal is not in session.

They usually include a tour of the building and a presentation of the history, jurisdiction and activities of the Tribunal and are conducted for groups of 10 to 35 people in English, French or German. Larger groups can also be accommodated without a tour of the building but with a detailed presentation and question/answer session. Visits can be arranged from Monday to Friday, tend to last about one-and-a-half hours and are free of charge.

Requests to organise a guided tour of the Tribunal should be sent to the Press Office.

Tel.: +49 40 35607227

Fax: +49 40 35607245

Attending a hearing

  • Hearings are announced by press release and may be attended by the general public unless the Tribunal decides otherwise or the parties request that the hearing be closed to the public. The decisions of the Tribunal are read at a public sitting.
  • Hearings take place in one of the three courtrooms of the Tribunal. The main courtroom seats up to 250 people, the smaller courtrooms approximately 50 each. In the event that the courtroom is full, seating can be provided in the rotunda area where the hearings may be followed on the media wall.
  • Hearings are held in the Tribunal's two official languages, English and French. Simultaneous interpretation into the other language is provided.
  • Hearings generally last from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a break from 11:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. with a break from 4:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
  • Restricted parking is available for visitors in the car park to the right of the main entrance.
  • All visitors must undergo a security check at the entrance and should carry valid proof of identity (passport or identity card).
  • Mobile phones should be switched off.
  • Flash photography is not permitted after the hearing has commenced.
  • Smoking is not permitted in the building. No food or drink is allowed in the courtroom.
  • Anybody causing disruption to the hearing will be requested to leave the courtroom.
  • Headphones are available in the entrance hall of the Tribunal.

Requests to attend a hearing should be sent to the Press Office.

Tel.: +49 40 35607227

Fax: +49 40 35607245