Information Note on the Court’s case-law No.
April 1993
Kraska v. Switzerland - 13942/88
Judgment 19.4.1993
Article 6
Article 6-1
Civil rights and obligations
Fair hearing
Failure of a member of the Federal Court to read thoroughly the whole file concerning a public-law appeal: no violation
[This summary is extracted from the Court’s official reports (Series A or Reports of Judgments and Decisions). Its formatting and structure may therefore differ from the Case-Law Information Note summaries.]
Jurisdiction of the Court to rule on questions of fact - Court not bound by findings of Commission's report and free to assess such findings in the light of available evidence.
A.Applicability of Article 6 § 1 of the Convention
Proceedings concerned a right that could be said on arguable grounds to be recognised under Swiss law (Article 31 of the Constitution which guaranteed right to practise medicine) - applicant, who possessed a medical diploma, was entitled to apply for an authorisation to practise independently.
Civil character of the right - medical profession had features of a public-law nature, but applicant wished to work in the private sector.
Public-law appeal to Federal Court: within the ambit of Article 6 § 1 because its outcome was decisive for civil rights and obligations.
Conclusion: Article 6 § 1 applicable (unanimously).
B.Compliance with Article 6 § 1 of the Convention
Article 6 § 1 places competent court under duty to conduct proper examination of submissions, arguments and evidence adduced by the parties, without prejudice to its assessment of whether they are relevant to its decision.
Certain remarks made by a Federal Court judge left applicant's lawyer with impression that said judge did not have sufficient knowledge of the file - importance of appearances in administration of justice, but misgivings of individuals must be objectively justified -applicant's complaint unfounded, on account, inter alia, of active part played by judge in question in the deliberations.
Conclusion: no violation (six votes to three).
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