European Court of Human Rights

The year 2021 was exceptionally eventful for the European Court of Human Rights. The Court adapted to the unprecedented situation arising from COVID- 19 and, without interruption, its services continued to function. A number of important reforms took place in 2021. A new and more targeted case- processing strategy referred to as “impact cases” was introduced, it was decided that Committee cases would be more concisely drafted, and Protocol No. 15 came into force. Furthermore, five more superior courts in four member states (Sweden, the Slovak Republic, Ireland, and Malta) joined the Court’s Superior Courts Network. Five Grand Chamber cases are discussed in greater depth, covering: the notion of extraterritorial jurisdiction in an international armed conflict; the positive obligation of states to take measures to protect those at threat of domestic violence; the legal obligation to vaccinate school children against common infectious diseases; and present- day means of surveillance of cross- border communications.