To mark the 60^th anniversary of the Administrative Tribunal of the Council of Europe, a conference on The Right to a Fair Trial before International Administrative Tribunals was held on 14 October 2025 in Strasbourg.

Court President Mattias Guyomar opened the event alongside Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe and Paul Lemmens, Chair of the Council of Europe Administrative Tribunal.

In his opening remarks, President Guyomar underlined the organic and functional links between the Court and the Administrative Tribunal. He pointed out that, due to the specific nature of international organisations, their jurisdictional immunity can create challenges for international civil servants seeking legal redress.

Drawing on the Court’s dynamic interpretation of the Convention, he explained how disputes concerning the international civil service have been brought within the scope of the right to a fair trial. 

President Guyomar concluded by stressing that ensuring effective access to a court is not only about protecting the rights of international civil servants—it is also a duty of exemplarity for international organisations, which should internalise the rule of law.

The Administrative Tribunal is an international administrative court competent to hear complaints of the serving and former staff members of the Council of Europe against their employer.

• Speech by President Mattias Guyomar (in French only)