Although certain key characteristics distinguish the two European courts, the legal systems of which they form a part and the different scope of their respective jurisdiction, their relationship in recent years has been one of constructive, and in certain fields, highly effective, dialogue and complementarity to promote unity and common purpose in defence of human rights, the rule of law and effective, pluralist, democracy. In an ever-increasing number of cases, the two Courts rely on each other’s jurisprudence, thereby confirming and enhancing the existence of a common basis for the protection of fundamental rights in Europe.

Every year a delegation from one of the two Courts pays a one-day official visit to the other Court where Judges take part in roundtable discussions around different case-law themes of mutual interest. Aside from this traditional annual meeting, smaller delegations of the European Court of Human Rights also participate in trilateral exchanges with the Court of Justice and EU national superior courts. Given the complexity and importance of Europe’s multi-level system for human rights protection and the European Court of Human Rights’ role as the court of last resort in this field, participation in these exchanges is of fundamental importance.