Rules of Procedure of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights

Approved by the Court at its forty-ninth regular session, 16–25 November 2000 PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS Article 1 Purpose These Rules regulate the organization and establish the procedure of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. The Court may adopt such other Rules as may be necessary to carry out its functions. In the absence of a provision in these Rules or in case of doubt as to their interpretation, the Court shall decide. Article 2 Definitions For the purposes of these Rules: the term ‘ Agent ’ refers to the person designated by a State to represent it before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights; the term ‘ Deputy Agent ’ refers to the person designated by a State to assist the Agent in the discharge of his duties and to replace him during his temporary absences; the expression ‘ General Assembly ’ refers to the General Assembly of the Organization of American States; the term ‘ Commission ’ refers to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights; the expression ‘ Permanent Commission ’ refers to the Permanent Commission of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights; the expression ‘ Permanent Council ’ refers to the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States; the term ‘ Convention ’ refers to the American Convention on Human Rights (‘Pact of San Jose’, Costa Rica); the term ‘ Court ’ refers to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights; the term ‘ Delegates ’ refers to the persons designated by the Commission to represent it before the Court; the expression ‘ original claimant ’ refers to the person, group of persons, or nongovernmental entity that instituted the original petition before the Commission, pursuant to Article 44 of the Convention; the term ‘ day ’ shall be understood to be a natural day; the expression ‘ States Parties ’ refers to the States that have ratified or adhered to the Convention; […]