The European Convention on Human Rights requires all hearings to be in public, unless there are exceptional circumstances justifying the holding of a private hearing. In practice the majority of cases are heard in private following written pleadings. In confidential proceedings the court may assist both parties in securing a settlement, in which case the court monitors the compliance of the agreement with the convention. However, in many cases, a hearing is not held.
the european convention on human rights requires all hearings to be in public unless there are exceptional circumstances justifying the holding of a private hearing in practice the majority of cases are heard in private following written pleadings in confidential proceedings the court may assist both parties in securing a settlement in which case the court monitors the compliance of the agreement with the convention however in many cases a hearing is not held