The Presidents of European Constitutional Courts and other similar European institutions exercising constitutional jurisdiction declare their intention to organise, in accordance with the practice hitherto established, regular specialised conferences with a view to sharing experience as regards constitutional practice and jurisprudence in a general European context and to maintaining regular contacts between these courts and institutions, on the basis of mutual respect and with due regard to the principle of judicial independence.
Art. 1 Name
The name of the conference shall be "The Conference of European Constitutional Courts".
Art. 2 Legal status
The Conference derives its existence from the common declaration of intention of the Presidents of the European Constitutional Courts and similar institutions. It shall not produce any legally binding effects outside the Conference.
Art. 3 Aims
The Conference shall hold a Congress at regular intervals. It shall promote the exchange of information on the working methods and constitutional case-law of member courts together with the exchange of opinions on institutional, structural and operational issues as regards public-law and constitutional jurisdiction. In addition, it shall take steps to enhance the independence of constitutional courts as an essential factor in guaranteeing and implementing democracy and the rule of law, in particular with a view to securing the protection of human rights. It shall support efforts to maintain regular contacts between the European Constitutional Courts and similar institutions.
Art. 4 Membership
There shall be the following categories of members:
1. Full members
Full members shall be fully entitled to participate in all matters related to the Conference. In accordance with the provisions of the Statute and the Conference Regulations they shall bear in equal parts the costs of organising the meetings of the Congress.
2. Associate members
Associate members shall be generally entitled to submit proposals, participate in the Congress and elaborate and present a national report on particular themes on the Congress programme. Associate members shall not be subject to any general obligation to participate in costs. Detailed provisions on this point shall be laid down in the Conference Regulations.
Art. 5 Observers and guests
The Conference may admit observers and guests to the events. Detailed provisions on this point shall be laid down in the Conference Regulations.
Art. 6 Access to membership
Art. 7 Loss of membership
Art. 8 Organs
The organs of the Conference shall be:
Art. 9 Circle of Presidents
1. Composition:
The "Circle of Presidents" shall be composed of the Presidents of the Courts and the institutions with full member status. The Presidents shall be accompanied by their Secretary General, or, where appropriate, a member of their court or institution or of its secretariat.
2. Competence:
The "Circle of Presidents" is the central decision-making body and has competence in the following matters:
3. Chairmanship
The President of the Court which is to host the next Congress shall preside over the "Circle of Presidents". When dealing with a matter which has no direct link to the preparations for the next Congress, the "Circle of Presidents" may designate one of its other members to preside over it.
4. Meetings:
The "Circle of Presidents" shall as far as possible, hold at least one meeting between the Congress dates and, in principle, on the day preceding the opening of the Congress. The invitation in writing shall be accompanied by an agenda for the meeting.
5. Venue of meetings:
The "Circle of Presidents" shall, as a rule, meet at the seat of the Court responsible for organising the next Congress. In a particular case, the "Circle of Presidents" may fix another venue.
6. Quorum:
7. Voting regulatons:
Art. 10 Congress
Composition:
The following shall be entitled to participate in the Congress: full members, associate members and observers and guests. Detailed provisions on this point shall be laid down in the Conference Regulations.
Art. 11 Principles of financing
1. General rules on the sharing of costs:
The Conference shall be financed primarily by the equal contributions of full members. National financial and budget regulations shall apply.
2. Other costs and their financing:
3. Conference Budget:
The Court organising the Congress shall draw up, as far as possible not later than one year before the opening of the Congress, a budget for the Congress which shall be submitted for approval to the Circle of Presidents".
4. Final settlement of accounts:
The final settlement is made on the basis of a final statement of accounts drawn up by the organising ourt after the end of the Congress.
Art. 12 Final declaration and public access
Art. 13 Secretariat
The Secretariat of the Conference shall be provided by the Court organising the next Congress.
Art. 14 Entry into force
This Statute shall enter into force on the day of its adoption by the assembly of Presidents. It shall be drawn up in French, English, German and Russian. The French version shall be authentic.