Approved by the Court at its forty-ninth regular session, 16–25 November 2000

PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS

Article 1

Purpose

1. These Rules regulate the organization and establish the procedure of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.

2. The Court may adopt such other Rules as may be necessary to carry out its functions.

3. In the absence of a provision in these Rules or in case of doubt as to their interpretation, the Court shall decide.

Article 2

Definitions

For the purposes of these Rules:

1. the term ‘Agent’ refers to the person designated by a State to represent it before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights;

2. the term ‘Deputy Agent’ refers to the person designated by a State to assist the Agent in the discharge of his duties and to replace him during his temporary absences;

3. the expression ‘General Assembly’ refers to the General Assembly of the Organization of American States;

4. the term ‘Commission’ refers to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights;

5. the expression ‘Permanent Commission’ refers to the Permanent Commission of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights;

6. the expression ‘Permanent Council’ refers to the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States;

7. the term ‘Convention’ refers to the American Convention on Human Rights (‘Pact of San José’, Costa Rica);

8. the term ‘Court’ refers to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights;

9. the term ‘Delegates’ refers to the persons designated by the Commission to represent it before the Court;

10. the expression ‘original claimant’ refers to the person, group of persons, or nongovernmental entity that instituted the original petition before the Commission, pursuant to Article 44 of the Convention;

11. the term ‘day’ shall be understood to be a natural day;

12. the expression ‘States Parties’ refers to the States that have ratified or adhered to the Convention;

13. […]