Council of Europe — 46 member states including the UK
European Court of Human Rights (Strasbourg)
Not an appeal court. It hears complaints that the UK has breached the European Convention on Human Rights — most often Article 5 (liberty) and Article 8 (private and family life) in these cases.
What this court hears
- Complaints that a state breached Convention rights.
- Article 5 — liberty and security, including deprivation of liberty without a proper procedure.
- Article 8 — private and family life, including contact, home and placement decisions.
- H.L. v United Kingdom (the Bournewood case) is why DoLS and s.21A challenges exist.
How to apply
- Finish the UK route first, including any appeal or judicial review that was the right remedy.
- Complete the official application form in full — incomplete forms are rejected, not returned.
- Attach the domestic decisions showing the Convention point was raised in the UK.
- Send it within the deadline; applying is free, but the admissibility rules are unforgiving.
Costs: Applying is free. Legal costs are your own, though limited legal aid from the Court may be available later.
Send these first
Ready-made letters that put your concern on the record before it ever reaches this court. They open at the right template.
Formal complaint to a Local Authority
Local Authority · Letter
Stage 1 statutory adult social care complaint before the Ombudsman.
Taking a complaint to the Ombudsman
Ombudsman & regulators · Letter
After the organisation's own complaints process has finished, or 12 weeks have passed.
Before you go there
- Raise the human rights argument in the UK courts — you cannot introduce it for the first time in Strasbourg.
- Get specialist human rights advice before the domestic case ends, not after.
General information, not legal advice. Take advice before filing — deadlines and costs are unforgiving.