Sessa v. Italy, No.28790/08, ECtHR (Second Section), 24 September 2012


The judge refusal to allow the lawyer’s request for an adjournment of the hearing fixed on a date  corresponding to his religious holidays does not breach art. 9 of the ECHR.

Art. 9 ECHR

The judge refusal to allow the lawyer’s request for an adjournment of the hearing, scheduled during his religion holidays, does not limit the right to freely manifest one’s religious beliefs. Even supposing that it does interfere with the applicant’s right under art. 9 §1, such interference would be justified on grounds of the protection of the rights and freedom of others, in particular the public’s right to the proper administration of justice and the principle that cases be heard within a reasonable time.