2. The Court shall give reasons for its advisory opinions provided that every judge shall be entitled to deliver a
separate of dissenting decision.
Article 5 ACCESS TO THE COURT
1. The following are entitled to submit cases to the Court:
a) The Commission
b) The State Party which had lodged a complaint to the Commission
c) The State Party against which the complaint has been lodged at the Commission
d) The State Party whose citizen is a victim of human rights violation
e) African Intergovernmental Organizations
2. When a State Party has an interest in a case, it may submit a request to the Court to be permitted to join.
3. The Court may entitle relevant Non Governmental organizations (NGOs) with observer status before the
Commission, and individuals to institute cases directly before it, in accordance with article 34 (6) of this
Protocol.
Article 6 ADMISSIBILITY OF CASES
1. The Court, when deciding on the admissibility of a case instituted under article 5 (3) of this Protocol, may
request the opinion of the Commission which shall give it as soon as possible.
2. The Court shall rule on the admissibility of cases taking into account the provisions of article 56 of the
Charter.
3. The Court may consider cases or transfer them to the Commission.
Article 7 SOURCES OF LAW
The Court shall apply the provision of the Charter and any other relevant human rights instruments ratified by
the States concerned.
Article 8 CONSIDERATION OF CASES
The Rules of Procedure of the Court shall lay down the detailed conditions under which the Court shall consider
cases brought before it, bearing in mind the complementarity between the Commission and the Court.
Article 9 AMICABLE SETTLEMENT
The Court may try to reach an amicable settlement in a case pending before it in accordance with the provisions
of the Charter.
Article 10 HEARINGS AND REPRESENTATION
1. The Court shall conduct its proceedings in public. The Court may, however, conduct proceedings in camera as
may be provided for in the Rules of Procedure.
2. Any party to a case shall be entitled to be represented by a legal representative of the party’s choice. Free legal
representation may be provided where the interests of justice so require.
3. Any person, witness or representative of the parties, who appears before the Court, shall enjoy protection and
all facilities, in accordance with international law, necessary for the discharging of their functions, tasks and
duties in relation to the Court.
Article 11 COMPOSITION
1. The Court shall consist of eleven judges, nationals of Member States of the OAU, elected in an individual
capacity from among jurists of high moral character and of recognized practical, judicial or academic
competence and experience in the field of human and peoples` rights.
2. No two judges shall be nationals of the same State.