The solemn hearing for the opening of the judicial year takes place on the evening of the last Friday of January in front of a distinguished gathering of representatives from the Superior Courts of the 46 Council of Europe member States as well as former judges of the Court, ambassadors, dignitaries of the Host State (France) and other high-level invitees. During the ceremony, the President of the Court and his or her Guest of Honor address the audience in turn. 

The solemn hearing is preceded by a judicial seminar which provides a forum for discussion between judges of the Court and judges of national superior courts. The proceedings of the seminar are later published in the “Dialogue between judges” series.