Founder
Zouhaier ChihaouiHuman Rights & Grand Chamber Specialist
Strategic litigation before the European Court of Human Rights.
View profileBased in Brussels and led by Zouhaier Chihaoui of the Brussels Bar, Just Rights Europe is a law firm with a European and international focus, specialising in litigation before the European Court of Human Rights.
Our work begins at a specific point: once the relevant domestic remedies have been exhausted.
After a final decision of the Court of Cassation, the Supreme Court or the highest competent national court, we examine the case from the perspective of the European Convention on Human Rights.
We assess its admissibility, identify potential violations, devise the strategy for Strasbourg and, where the conditions are met, represent the client before the European Court of Human Rights.
The firm also has particular experience of complex cases and of proceedings before the Grand Chamber.
Just Rights Europe does not act in domestic proceedings.
Our specialisation begins where national litigation ends.
In certain specific cases, the firm may also act before international human rights bodies.
Litigation before the European Court of Human Rights is a highly specialised field.
Every year, a very large proportion of the applications lodged with the Court do not get past the admissibility stage. A case of real importance at national level may therefore never be examined on the merits in Strasbourg if it is not presented in accordance with the particular requirements of the Convention and of the procedure before the Court.
For Just Rights Europe, this observation is fundamental.
Proceedings in Strasbourg are not an automatic continuation of the litigation at national level. They require a fresh reading of the file, focused exclusively on the rights guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights.
Our vision is therefore simple: once domestic remedies have been exhausted, cases raising a genuine fundamental-rights issue should be able to benefit from expertise dedicated specifically to Strasbourg.
The final national decision should not be regarded as the automatic end of the case.
It may be the starting point of a new analysis: that of the State's responsibility under the European Convention on Human Rights.
After the Supreme Court. Before Strasbourg.
A final decision at national level does not necessarily mean that all legal protection has come to an end.
Once the Court of Cassation, the Supreme Court or the highest national court has ruled, we examine whether the facts and the decisions delivered disclose a violation capable of being brought before the European Court of Human Rights.
Our work begins after the final national decision.
Proceedings before the European Court of Human Rights follow their own rules.
Admissibility, time limits, exhaustion of domestic remedies, the formulation of complaints, European case-law, the choice of arguments, procedural strategy and a possible referral to the Grand Chamber all call for an approach different from that of national litigation.
Our mission is to turn a national case into a genuine Convention case.
Since 1 September 2026, Just Rights Europe's Strasbourg practice has been open to cases from all the Contracting States to the European Convention on Human Rights.
After a final decision of the highest national court, a case may be submitted to us directly for a specialised assessment under the Convention.
The firm may be instructed following a final decision delivered in any State bound by the European Convention on Human Rights.
Whatever the origin of the case, our question remains the same: domestic remedies have been exhausted — is there still a way to Strasbourg?
Bringing a case before the European Court of Human Rights does not mean repeating the arguments developed before the national courts.
The first step is to identify the real Convention issue.
We examine the final decision, the earlier national proceedings, compliance with the admissibility requirements, the Convention rights that may have been violated and the relevant case-law of the Court.
We then determine how the case should be presented in Strasbourg: the selection of complaints, the legal framing, the decisive facts, procedural strategy and the redress sought.
In cases of particular importance, our expertise also covers proceedings before the Grand Chamber.
Where possible and in the client's interests, we also assess the prospects of a friendly settlement in the proceedings before the Court.
Our aim is not to relitigate the national case.
Our role is to identify what, in those proceedings, amounts to a violation of the rights guaranteed by the Convention, and to take that question to Strasbourg.
After the Supreme Court.
Before Strasbourg.
European Court of Human Rights Litigation · Grand Chamber Expertise · Across Europe
Just Rights Europe acts solely on the Convention dimension of a case, after the final decision of the highest national court.
European human rights litigation arising from proceedings before the Monegasque courts.
Explore our Monaco insights →Analysis of the Convention dimension of cases decided by the Luxembourg and Belgian courts.
Representation before international human rights bodies in certain specific cases.
Strategic litigation before the European Court of Human Rights.
View profileAfter a final decision of the highest national court, a case may be submitted to us directly for an assessment under the Convention.