Autore
FEDELE, Giulio

Titolo
Between Autonomy and Consensus: The Definition of General Concepts in the European Convention on Human Rights
Periodico
Diritti umani e diritto internazionale
Anno: 2025 - Volume: 19 - Fascicolo: 2 - Pagina iniziale: 323 - Pagina finale: 342

This Article examines the interpretation and definition of general concepts and terms in the European Convention on Human Rights ('ECHR'). The European Court of Human Rights ('ECtHR') has developed two main interpretative approaches: autonomous interpretation and interpretation based on European consensus. Under the autonomous interpretation approach, general concepts are interpreted independently of their classification in domestic law. Conversely, the consensus-based approach considers the presence or absence of a common denominator among the laws of the State Parties (i.e., European consensus) as a defining factor. These two approaches appear to be opposing and seemingly irreconcilable: while autonomy suggests that domestic law is irrelevant, consensus relies on its significance. How, then, does the Court decide which approach to adopt when defining the meaning, scope, and limitations of general concepts such as 'family', 'criminal charge', or 'the beginning of life'? This Article argues that the answer lies in the degree of legal determinacy of the concept in question. To support this claim, the research draws on the theory of indeterminate legal concepts, developed in various constitutional legal systems, and applies it to the framework of the ECHR.



SICI: 1971-7105(2025)19:2<323:BAACTD>2.0.ZU;2-M
Testo completo: https://www.rivisteweb.it/download/article/10.12829/118131
Testo completo alternativo: https://www.rivisteweb.it/doi/10.12829/118131

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