Presidency of the Court
The President
The President of the Court directs the work and administration of the Court (Rule 9 of the Rules of Court).
He or she represents the Court and, in particular, is responsible for its relations with the authorities of the Council of Europe as well as the political and judicial authorities of the States Parties to the European Convention on Human Rights.
The President presides at plenary meetings of the Court, meetings of the Grand Chamber, meetings of the Grand Chamber panel of five judges and meetings of the Bureau.
The President is assisted by Bureau, the Registrar of the Court and by the President’s Private Office.
The President
The President of the Court directs the work and administration of the Court (Rule 9 of the Rules of Court).
He or she represents the Court and, in particular, is responsible for its relations with the authorities of the Council of Europe as well as the political and judicial authorities of the States Parties to the European Convention of Human Rights.
The President presides at plenary meetings of the Court, meetings of the Grand Chamber, meetings of the Grand Chamber panel of five judges and meetings of the Bureau.
The President is assisted by Bureau, the Registrar of the Court and by the President’s Private Office.
Mattias Guyomar
Born on 21 July 1968 in Guérande, France
- Bachelor's Degree in Modern Literature, University of Nantes, 1986-1989
- Laureate of the Institute of Political Studies (IEP), Paris, 1989-1991
- National School of Administration (ENA), 1993-1996
- Rapporteur at the Judicial Division of the Conseil d’État, 1996-1999
- Lecturer at the IEP (Paris) and the ENA (courses in public and comparative law), 1996-2007
- Secretary General of the French Electoral Commission, 1998-2020
- Director of the Legal Documentation and Coordination Center of the Conseil d’État, 1999-2002
- General Rapporteur at the French Supreme Council for Integration, 1999-2002
- Government Commissioner (“advocate general”), then Public Rapporteur at the Administrative Judicial Division and the Jurisdiction Disputes Tribunal, 2002-2011
- Associate professor of Public Law, University Paris-Sud XI, Faculty Jean Monnet, 2004-2012
- Member of the 6th Chamber then the 10th Section of the Judicial Division of the Conseil d’État, 2011-2016
- Urgent-applications judge at the Conseil d’État, 2011-2020
- General Rapporteur of the Superior Commission on Codification, 2012-2020
- Associate professor of Public Law, University Paris 2 - Panthéon - Assas, 2012-2020
- Member of the selection panel for senior lecturers in public law, 2013-2014
- Member of Comparative Legislation Society, 2013-2020
- Secretary General of the French Institute of Administrative Science, 2013-2020
- Member of the French list of ad hoc judges appointed to the European Court of Human Rights, 2013-2020
- The Conseil d’État’s Focal Point for the ECHR Superior Courts Network, 2015-2020
- President of the 10th Chamber of the Judicial Division of the Conseil d’État, 2016-2020
- Member of European Public Law Organisation (EPLO), 2016-2020
- Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 22 June 2020
- President of Section from 2 May 2024 to 29 May 2025
- President of the Court since 30 May 2025.
Mattias Guyomar
Born on 21 July 1968 in Guérande, France
- Bachelor's Degree in Modern Literature, University of Nantes, 1986-1989
- Laureate of the Institute of Political Studies (IEP), Paris, 1989-1991
- National School of Administration (ENA), 1993-1996
- Rapporteur at the Judicial Division of the Conseil d’État, 1996-1999
- Lecturer at the IEP (Paris) and the ENA (courses in public and comparative law), 1996-2007
- Secretary General of the French Electoral Commission, 1998-2020
- Director of the Legal Documentation and Coordination Center of the Conseil d’État, 1999-2002
- General Rapporteur at the French Supreme Council for Integration, 1999-2002
- Government Commissioner (“advocate general”), then Public Rapporteur at the Administrative Judicial Division and the Jurisdiction Disputes Tribunal, 2002-2011
- Associate professor of Public Law, University Paris-Sud XI, Faculty Jean Monnet, 2004-2012
- Member of the 6th Chamber then the 10th Section of the Judicial Division of the Conseil d’État, 2011-2016
- Urgent-applications judge at the Conseil d’État, 2011-2020
- General Rapporteur of the Superior Commission on Codification, 2012-2020
- Associate professor of Public Law, University Paris 2 - Panthéon - Assas, 2012-2020
- Member of the selection panel for senior lecturers in public law, 2013-2014
- Member of Comparative Legislation Society, 2013-2020
- Secretary General of the French Institute of Administrative Science, 2013-2020
- Member of the French list of ad hoc judges appointed to the European Court of Human Rights, 2013-2020
- The Conseil d’État’s Focal Point for the ECHR Superior Courts Network, 2015-2020
- President of the 10th Chamber of the Judicial Division of the Conseil d’État, 2016-2020
- Member of European Public Law Organisation (EPLO), 2016-2020
- Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 22 June 2020
- President of Section from 2 May 2024 to 29 May 2025
- President of the Court since 30 May 2025.
Election of the President
The plenary Court elects its President for a period of three years (Rule 8 of the Rules of Court).
President Mattias Guyomar
Video
President Mattias Guyomar outlines his three-year priorities.
Official visits
Slovenia’s Minister of Justice visits the Court
The Minister of Justice of Slovenia, Mihael Zupančič, visited the Court on 1 October 2026 where he met with its President, Mattias Guyomar. The judge elected in respect of Slovenia, Vasilka Sancin, and the Registrar of the Court, Marialena Tsirli, also attended the meeting. The discussions focused on questions of the Court's independence and autonomy, Slovenia's implementation of the Court's judgments, and the country's support for the Court and the Convention system.
Slovenia’s Minister of Justice visits the Court
The Minister of Justice of Slovenia, Mihael Zupančič, visited the Court on 1 October 2026 where he met with its President, Mattias Guyomar. The judge elected in respect of Slovenia, Vasilka Sancin, and the Registrar of the Court, Marialena Tsirli, also attended the meeting. The discussions focused on questions of the Court's independence and autonomy, Slovenia's implementation of the Court's judgments, and the country's support for the Court and the Convention system.
Official visit by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco
On 1 October 2026, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, visited the Court. He was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Monaco and President of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Isabelle Berro Amadeï, and the Secretary of State for Justice, Samuel Vuelta Simon. President Mattias Guyomar, Sébastien Biancheri, judge elected in respect of Monaco, and the Registrar of the Court, Marialena Tsirli, received the H.S.H. Prince Albert II for a walking tour of the Court.
During the visit, H.S.H. Prince Albert II visited the Court’s hearing rooms, the mail office, and the library, as well as the René Cassin Room and the Helga Pedersen Room, which host permanent exhibitions dedicated to these two important figures.
He concluded his visit with an exchange with the Court’s Bureau in the Luzius Wildhaber Room.
Official visit by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco
On 1 October 2026, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, visited the Court. He was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Monaco and President of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Isabelle Berro Amadeï, and the Secretary of State for Justice, Samuel Vuelta Simon. President Mattias Guyomar, Sébastien Biancheri, judge elected in respect of Monaco, and the Registrar of the Court, Marialena Tsirli, received the H.S.H. Prince Albert II for a walking tour of the Court.
During the visit, H.S.H. Prince Albert II visited the Court’s hearing rooms, the mail office, and the library, as well as the René Cassin Room and the Helga Pedersen Room, which host permanent exhibitions dedicated to these two important figures.
He concluded his visit with an exchange with the Court’s Bureau in the Luzius Wildhaber Room.
Official visit by the President of the Portuguese Republic
On 30 September 2026, the President of the Portuguese Republic, António José Martins Seguro, accompanied by the Minister of Justice, Rita Alarcão Júdice, paid an official visit to the Court and met with its President, Mattias Guyomar. The judge elected in respect of Portugal, Ana Maria Guerra Martins, and the Registrar, Marialena Tsirli, also participated in the meeting. President Martins Seguro underlined the Court’s key role in the European architecture. Minister Alarcão Júdice expressed Portugal’s firm commitment to the execution of the Court’s judgments and Judge Guerra Martins set out the type of cases brought against Portugal at the Court. During the visit, President Martins Seguro also had the opportunity to meet with the Court’s Portuguese staff members.
Official visit by the President of the Portuguese Republic
On 30 September 2026, the President of the Portuguese Republic, António José Martins Seguro, accompanied by the Minister of Justice, Rita Alarcão Júdice, paid an official visit to the Court and met with its President, Mattias Guyomar. The judge elected in respect of Portugal, Ana Maria Guerra Martins, and the Registrar, Marialena Tsirli, also participated in the meeting. President Martins Seguro underlined the Court’s key role in the European architecture. Minister Alarcão Júdice expressed Portugal’s firm commitment to the execution of the Court’s judgments and Judge Guerra Martins set out the type of cases brought against Portugal at the Court. During the visit, President Martins Seguro also had the opportunity to meet with the Court’s Portuguese staff members.
Deputy Minister of Justice of the Republic of Türkiye visits the Court
On 17 September 2026, the Deputy Minister of Justice of the Republic of Türkiye, H.E. Mr Burak Ceyhan, visited the Court where he was received by President Mattias Guyomar, the judge elected in respect of Türkiye, Saadet Yüksel, and the Deputy Registrar, Abel Campos.
The President emphasised the importance of judicial independence and shared responsibility for protecting Convention rights, recognising Türkiye’s commitment to cooperation. Judge Yüksel commented on the high caseload in respect of Türkiye and the value of judicial dialogue. The Deputy Registrar mentioned the importance of ensuring efficiency in case processing.
Deputy Minister of Justice of the Republic of Türkiye visits the Court
On 17 September 2026, the Deputy Minister of Justice of the Republic of Türkiye, H.E. Mr Burak Ceyhan, visited the Court where he was received by President Mattias Guyomar, the judge elected in respect of Türkiye, Saadet Yüksel, and the Deputy Registrar, Abel Campos.
The President emphasised the importance of judicial independence and shared responsibility for protecting Convention rights, recognising Türkiye’s commitment to cooperation. Judge Yüksel commented on the high caseload in respect of Türkiye and the value of judicial dialogue. The Deputy Registrar mentioned the importance of ensuring efficiency in case processing.
President of Bulgaria visits the Court
On 16 September 2026, the Bulgarian President, Iliana Iotova, accompanied by the Minister of Justice, Nikolay Naydenov, visited the Court where they were received by President Mattias Guyomar, the judge elected in respect of Bulgaria, Diana Kovatcheva, and the Registrar, Marialena Tsirli.
President Iotova extended an invitation to President Guyomar to visit Bulgaria in 2027 to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Bulgaria’s ratification of the European Convention on Human Rights.
President of Bulgaria visits the Court
On 16 September 2026, the Bulgarian President, Iliana Iotova, accompanied by the Minister of Justice, Nikolay Naydenov, visited the Court where they were received by President Mattias Guyomar, the judge elected in respect of Bulgaria, Diana Kovatcheva, and the Registrar, Marialena Tsirli.
President Iotova extended an invitation to President Guyomar to visit Bulgaria in 2027 to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Bulgaria’s ratification of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Delegation of the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland visits the Court
On 6 July 2026, a delegation of the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland, led by its President, Jacek Chlebny, visited the Court, where they had the opportunity to exchange with the President of the European Court of Human Rights, Mattias Guyomar; the Vice President and judge elected in respect of Montenegro, Ivana Jelić; the judge elected in respect of San Marino, Gilberto Felici; the judge elected in respect of Sweden, Erik Wennerström; the judge elected in respect of Belgium, Frédéric Krenc; the judge elected in respect of Croatia, Davor Derenčinović; the judge elected in respect of Liechtenstein, Alain Chablais; the judge elected in respect of Latvia, Artūrs Kučs; the judge elected in respect of Poland, Anna Adamska Gallant; the Registrar, Marialena Tsirli; the Deputy Registrar, Abel Campos; and other Registry staff.
The discussions focused on fair trial standards and judicial independence; the review by national courts of the proportionality of limitations on rights and freedoms in the current geopolitical context; recent developments relating to migration; and the protection of the private and family life of same sex couples.
The President of the Court, Mattias Guyomar, welcomed the participants and emphasised the importance of judicial solidarity and the vital dialogue between the Court and national courts. He recalled how, by defending judges’ freedom of expression in different country contexts, the Court worked to ensure that judges could fulfil their role as guardians of democracy and the rule of law. He further emphasised how the Court remained attentive to the legal and political realities in all Council of Europe member states, and stressed the need to protect the Court’s judicial independence.
Delegation of the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland visits the Court
On 6 July 2026, a delegation of the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland, led by its President, Jacek Chlebny, visited the Court, where they had the opportunity to exchange with the President of the European Court of Human Rights, Mattias Guyomar; the Vice President and judge elected in respect of Montenegro, Ivana Jelić; the judge elected in respect of San Marino, Gilberto Felici; the judge elected in respect of Sweden, Erik Wennerström; the judge elected in respect of Belgium, Frédéric Krenc; the judge elected in respect of Croatia, Davor Derenčinović; the judge elected in respect of Liechtenstein, Alain Chablais; the judge elected in respect of Latvia, Artūrs Kučs; the judge elected in respect of Poland, Anna Adamska Gallant; the Registrar, Marialena Tsirli; the Deputy Registrar, Abel Campos; and other Registry staff.
The discussions focused on fair trial standards and judicial independence; the review by national courts of the proportionality of limitations on rights and freedoms in the current geopolitical context; recent developments relating to migration; and the protection of the private and family life of same sex couples.
The President of the Court, Mattias Guyomar, welcomed the participants and emphasised the importance of judicial solidarity and the vital dialogue between the Court and national courts. He recalled how, by defending judges’ freedom of expression in different country contexts, the Court worked to ensure that judges could fulfil their role as guardians of democracy and the rule of law. He further emphasised how the Court remained attentive to the legal and political realities in all Council of Europe member states, and stressed the need to protect the Court’s judicial independence.
Events Presidency
On 2 October 2026, the President of the Court, Mattias Guyomar, and the Vice-President of the Court and judge elected in respect of Montenegro, Ivana Jelić, participated in the international conference On the Constitution, State, and Democracy, held in Tivat, Montenegro.
In his keynote address to participants, including presidents and judges from constitutional courts across Europe and representatives of the two European courts, President Guyomar focused on the common, universal values at the heart of the two European projects: the Council of Europe and the European Union.
“Both put the human being at the heart of the system of protection – by enshrining individual rights, by obliging States to uphold them, and by subjecting them to collective enforcement. And both look towards a shared and ‘peaceful future’ based on fundamental rights and freedoms which are ‘the foundation of justice and peace in the world’. This is more important than ever with an active war within Europe’s borders. A war that is getting ever closer,” said the Court President.
President Guyomar also highlighted that these two European projects are developed hand in hand with national apex courts.
“Together with domestic judiciaries and in full respect of the principles of subsidiarity and shared responsibility, the Strasbourg Court continues to ensure, as ‘a Court for all’, the effective protection of the human rights of hundreds of millions of individuals across Europe.”
Following the opening remarks, three panel discussions took place. Vice-President Jelić moderated a panel on “Amendments to the Constitution in the Function of European Integration: Legal Implications and Challenges of the Transfer of Sovereignty to the European Union”, while President Guyomar moderated a panel on “The Use of AI Tools in Constitutional Adjudication: Support or Threat to Constitutional Court Independence – Perspectives, Risks, and Ethical Dilemmas”.
On 29 September 2026, the Court’s Bureau, headed by President Mattias Guyomar, met with some members of the Committee on the Election of Judges to the European Court of Human Rights of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), led by its Chairperson, Sergiy Vlasenko, at the Human Rights Building in Strasbourg.
During the meeting, the interlocutors discussed the attractiveness of the post of judge and post-mandate recognition; national selection procedures and delays in submission of lists of candidates.
On 29 September 2026, the President of the Court, Mattias Guyomar, accompanied by the Registrar, Marialena Tsirli, met with the Chair of the Network of Parliamentarians to Promote the Implementation of the Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, Adam Bodnar, in Strasbourg. They discussed the role that the Network, established in April 2026, will play in strengthening the role of Parliaments in the process of execution of the Court’s judgments.
On 29 September 2026, the President of the Court, Mattias Guyomar, met with Germany’s Federal Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul, in Strasbourg. The judge elected in respect of Germany, Anja Seibert-Fohr, and the Registrar, Marialena Tsirli, also attended the meeting. The President thanked the Minister for Germany’s strong support to the Court and the Convention system. He also presented the Court’s achievements in reducing its backlog of pending cases and highlighted its role in holding Russia accountable for human rights violations.
On 28 September 2026, the President of the Court, Mattias Guyomar, accompanied by Anja Seibert-Fohr, judge elected in respect of Germany, attended an official ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of Germany’s Federal Constitutional Court, held in Karlsruhe, the city where the court has its seat and where it was established on 28 September 1951.
Approximately 1,000 guests attended the ceremony. Germany’s Federal President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier; President of the Federal Constitutional Court, Stephan Harbarth, and Vice-President of the Federal Constitutional Court, Anne-Katrin Kaufhold, delivered speeches at the event.
The President of the Court, Mattias Guyomar, addressed the Autumn Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on 28 September, taking place in Strasbourg from 28 September to 2 October 2026.
In his speech, President Guyomar highlighted that the judges elected in respect of each of the 46 member States of the Council of Europe are an essential link in the DNA chain of the Convention system, adding that their strong democratic legitimacy derives from their election by PACE.
He explained the Court’s efforts to increase the efficiency and visibility of its work and to make its judicial activities more accessible. He underlined that the Court carries out its judicial work in full independence and continues to apply judicial pragmatism by interpreting the text of the Convention in light of the specific context of each case.
President Guyomar also highlighted the Court’s role in ensuring Russia’s accountability, referring to the historic inter-State judgment in the case of Ukraine and the Netherlands v. Russia, and stressed that the Court’s work on ensuring Russia’s accountability in this regard will continue.
Citing recent rulings, the President of the Court stressed that they reflect the mutual confidence between the Court and the domestic superior courts, while also noting that the principle of shared responsibility requires the Court to exercise its supervisory role.
Former Presidents of the Court
