Visits

Visits are organized for legal practitioners and associations, law students and the general public. Each visit offers the group the possibility of viewing the courtroom, touring the building and hearing a presentation on the Tribunal in English, French or German by representatives of the Registry. 

Visits are offered for groups of 10 to 35 people, 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 when the Tribunal is not in session and are free of charge. 

Programme 1: for legal practitioners and law students

Groups are given a detailed presentation on the jurisdiction and procedure of the Tribunal with an overview of a selection of cases on the Tribunal’s List. This is followed by a question and answer session, a tour of the Tribunal and a visit to the Tribunal’s Library. The programme lasts approximately half a day and may be adapted to the wishes of the group.

Programme 2: for legal practitioners

Study visits can be organized for small groups of legal practitioners, offering presentations, lectures and discussion on the dispute settlement regime under the Convention and the jurisdiction, procedure and case-law of the Tribunal. Each programme is designed to meet the interests of the participants. A tour of the Tribunal and a visit to the Tribunal’s Library are included in the programme.

Programme 3: for the general public

Groups of visitors who do not have a legal background are given a tour of the building and a general presentation on the Tribunal, its history, organization and work.  These visits tend to last about two hours.

Programme 4: virtual visits for legal practitioners and law students

A virtual visit to the Tribunal may be arranged for legal practitioners and law students otherwise unable to travel to Hamburg. An introductory presentation on the Tribunal and a virtual tour of the building is followed by a detailed presentation on the jurisdiction and procedure of the Tribunal with an overview of a selection of cases on the Tribunal’s List. A question and answer session closes the visit. The virtual visit lasts approximately two hours and may be adapted to the wishes of the group.
 

Requests to visit the Tribunal should be sent to the Press Office.

Tel.: +49 40 35607227

Fax: +49 40 35607245

• Public sittings are announced by press release and may be attended by the general public unless the Tribunal decides otherwise or the parties request that the public sitting be closed to the public. The decisions of the Tribunal are read at a public sitting.
• Public sittings 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 public sitting may be followed on the media wall.
• Public sittings are held in the Tribunal's two official languages, English and French. Simultaneous interpretation into the other language is provided. Headphones are available in the entrance hall of the Tribunal.
• Public sittings 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.

Members of the diplomatic and consular corps wishing to attend a public sitting are requested to contact the Tribunal’s Protocol Office. Members of the general public are requested to register with the Press Office. Members of the press are requested to register with the Press Office using the accreditation form.

Requests to attend a public sitting should be sent to the Press Office.

Tel.: +49 40 35607-227

Fax: +49 40 35607-245

Practicalities

• 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.
• Those attending public sittings or events at the Tribunal accept that photographs taken or film footage recorded by or on behalf of the Tribunal’s Press Office at the sitting or event may be used by the Tribunal for public relations purposes.
• Unobtrusive audio and video recording of the public sitting is permitted. Filming is subject to special authorization from the Press Office. Facilities are available for radio crews to connect recording equipment directly to the Tribunal’s audio system. Photographs (without flash) may be taken for a few minutes at the opening and at the end of the hearings.
• Headphones are available in the entrance hall of the Tribunal.
• Smoking is not permitted in the building. No food or drink is allowed in the courtroom.
• Anybody causing disruption to the public sitting will be requested to leave the courtroom.