Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights: A Practitioner’s Handbook 2.1.12 Language The official languages of the Court are English and French.111 However, applicants may fill in the application form in one of the official languages of the Contracting Parties and may continue to correspond with the Court in that language until the communication of the application to the respondent State. After reaching that stage, all correspondence with the Court should be conducted in English or in French. Applicants may, however, seek leave from the President of the Chamber to continue to use the official language of a Contracting Party when communicating with the Court, when appearing before it at a hearing, or in drafting their observations.112 As a general rule, also the Contracting Parties are required to communicate with the Court and to submit their observations in English or French. They may seek leave from the President of the Chamber to use their official national languages for their oral or written submissions, in which case they will be required to submit also an English or French translation of those submissions. However, Contracting Parties usually do submit their observations in English or French and if the applicant does not understand English or French, he or she may arrange for the translation of the observations into his or her own national language and include the expenses in the claim for just satisfaction. In the alternative, he or she may ask the President of the Chamber to invite the respondent Contracting Party to provide a translation of the observations into an official language of the Contracting Party that he or she under stands.113 Witnesses or experts who appear before the Court may use their own language if they do not have sufficient knowledge in either French or English.114 Judgments and decisions of the Chambers and the Grand Chamber are handed down in English or French. 2.1.13 Legal Aid If a decision has been taken to communicate the case to the respondent Government, the Court will inform the applicant that he or she can apply for free legal aid under the Court’s legal aid scheme for applicants who have insufficient means to pay for legal representation.115 The applicant will be invited to inform the Court as soon as possible whether an application for legal aid will be made, in which case the necessary forms will be sent to him or her. Requests for legal aid must be supported by a declaration of means, certified by the relevant domestic authorities, which will be indicated by the Court. 111 112 113 114 115 56 Rule 34 § 1 of the Rules of Court. Rule 34 § 3 (a) of the Rules of Court. Rule 34 § 5 of the Rules of Court. Rule 34 § 6 of the Rules of Court. Rule 100 § 1 of the Rules of Court.