Is rule 39 legally binding?

Asked by: Jaclyn Mitchell  |  Last update: March 13, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (47 votes)

Yes, Rule 39 orders (interim measures) from the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) are considered legally binding on the state concerned, intended to prevent irreparable harm while a case is ongoing, though some debate exists in international law regarding their enforcement, with non-compliance potentially violating other convention articles like Article 34. These urgent orders, issued under Rule 39 of the ECtHR Rules of Court, require states to take specific actions (or refrain from them) to protect rights, such as preventing deportation or destruction of embryos, and compliance has become crucial for the integrity of the human rights system.

What is the rule 39 of the rules of the Court?

Rule 39 (interim measures) of the Rules of Court reads as follow: “1. The Court may, in exceptional circumstances, whether at the request of a party or of any other person concerned, or of its own motion, indicate to the parties any interim measure which it considers should be adopted.

How effective is Rule 39?

With their support, the Initiative has collectively helped more than 260 people from 10 countries to lodge life-altering Rule 39 requests with ECtHR, and safeguarded the human rights of more than 48 children, including nine unaccompanied minors.

What are examples of rule 39 being used?

The court uses rule 39 only in urgent, exceptional cases where the person at the heart of the case faces real and irreparable harm to their life and health. Usually, this is when facing extradition or deportation to a country where they may be tortured or killed.

What is the rule 39 privilege?

Prison Rule 39 says that your correspondence with the courts and your legal adviser may only be opened, stopped or read in specific circumstances. The following list of organisations and people are covered by Rule 39: Your Legal Adviser, this can be the name of a firm or organisation. Courts.

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What is rule 39 in court?

Rule 39 provides the framework for determining the mode of trial for civil cases in federal courts, emphasizing the primacy of the jury trial demand.

How to avoid waiving privileges?

Practical steps to prevent waiver

  1. Don't comment on legal advice publicly or in documents that may be produced (eg board papers) or widely circulated, except to acknowledge the advice's existence.
  2. Only share legal advice on a 'need-to-know' basis, and on express terms of confidentiality.

What does Clause 39 mean?

Of enduring importance to people appealing to the charter over the last 800 years are the famous clauses 39 and 40: “No free man shall be seized, imprisoned, dispossessed, outlawed, exiled or ruined in any way, nor in any way proceeded against, except by the lawful judgement of his peers and the law of the land.

What is the rule 39 pro bono?

The Rule 39 Pro Bono Initiative is a large-scale award-winning collaborative effort, harnessing the combined expertise of human rights and pro bono lawyers to ensure effective access to urgent and non-urgent human rights protection for vulnerable foreigners at the European level.

Can an ex parte mandatory injunction be granted?

Exparte mandatory injunction is to be granted in the rarest of rare case where a clear case is made out and the court is satisfied t...that mandatory injunction is not granted exparte justice will as the sacrificial goat.

Can a suit be dismissed for misjoinder of parties?

The general rule is that a suit cannot be dismissed only on the ground of non-joinder or misjoinder of parties. There would be misjoinder of parties if person having a separate cause of action file a suit jointly.

What is the Supreme court decision on cancellation of sale deed?

The Supreme Court has ruled that a sale deed executed without payment of consideration is void ab initio and carries no legal effect. Such deeds don't require cancellation under Article 59, and suits for possession fall under Article 65 with a 12-year limitation.

Can a defendant file application for temporary injunction?

The defendant is having a right to file an application for temporary injunction if the actions of the plaintiff are such that it would cause the suit property in a danger of being wasted, damage or alienated or wrongfully sold in execution of decree.

Who can apply under order 39 CPC?

The Court may, on the application of any party to a suit, order the sale, by any person named in such order, and in such manner and on such terms as it thinks fit, of any movable property, being the subject-matter of such suit, or attached before judgment in such suit, which is subject to speedy and natural delay, or ...

What is rule 39?

"Rule 39" refers to different legal or procedural rules depending on the jurisdiction, most commonly Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 39 (FRCP 39) concerning Trial by Jury or by the Court, or sometimes Rule 39 of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) regarding interim measures, which are urgent orders to prevent irreparable harm, often involving asylum or extradition cases. It also appears in state rules, tax codes (like GST), and even prison correspondence rules, all focusing on trial procedures, costs, or specific administrative actions. 

What is the order 39 rule?

Order 39 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 ("the CPC"), which deals with grant of temporary injunctions in a civil suit, envisages issuance of notice to the opposite party/non-applicant as a matter of norm before granting an injunction.

Do you still have to pay pro bono lawyers?

The term comes from the Latin phrase “pro bono publico,” meaning “for the public good.” While pro bono attorneys do not charge fees for their legal services, clients may still need to pay court costs and filing fees unless they qualify for fee waivers. Most of us will need a lawyer's help at some point in our lives.

What is the rule 39 interim measure?

Interim measures may, in exceptional circumstances, whether at the request of a party or of any other person concerned, or of the Court's own motion, be indicated under Rule 39 of the Rules of Court, where there is an imminent risk of irreparable harm.

Can a lawyer write off pro bono work?

Many direct expenditures on pro bono activities are deductible. Make sure you keep records of what you spent on unreimbursed office supplies, voice and data communication, filing fees, postage, advertising, and broadcasting.

Who did clause 39 apply to?

Clause 39 stated that no free man could be imprisoned 'except by the lawful judgment of his peers' – social equals – 'or by the law of the land'. This evolved into the principle of trial by jury, which was later confirmed in the Habeas Corpus Act 1679.

What is the Magna Carta law?

Magna Carta was issued in June 1215 and was the first document to put into writing the principle that the king and his government was not above the law. It sought to prevent the king from exploiting his power, and placed limits of royal authority by establishing law as a power in itself.

What is Article 39 of the Magna Carta?

+ (39) No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or stripped of his rights or possessions, or outlawed or exiled, or deprived of his standing in any way, nor will we proceed with force against him, or send others to do so, except by the lawful judgment of his equals or by the law of the land.

What voids attorney-client privilege?

The issue of waiver arises most commonly when a communication is witnessed by a third party or where the client does not intend the communication to be confidential. The mere presence of a third party will likely prevent the creation of the attorney-client privilege.

Why would someone waive their right to an attorney?

There are several reasons why misdemeanor defendants sometimes choose to waive their right to an attorney. These reasons include a desire to avoid further delays in the legal process - the “get it over with” mentality - and promises by the prosecution that the defendant will stay out of jail.

Under which circumstances can an attorney violate the attorney-client privilege?

These include any of the following circumstances:

  • Communications that are not within the scope of legal representation. ...
  • When discussions between a client and their attorney take place in a location that is public, then this can breach the safeguards that attorney-client privilege offers. ...
  • The crime-fraud exception.