Universal-Womens-accesss-to-justice-Publications-Practitioners-Guide-Series-2016-ENG

336 PRACTITIONERS GUIDE No. 12
filing the objection may wish to produce. Any parties to the
case wishing to submit written briefs on the preliminary
objections may do so within 30 days of receipt of the
communication. When the Court considers it indispensable, it
may convene a special hearing on the preliminary objections,
after which it shall rule on the objections. The Court may
decide on the preliminary objections and the merits of the case
in a single judgment, under the principle of procedural
economy. 902
Additional written pleadings: Once the application has been
answered, and before the opening of the oral proceedings, the
parties may seek the permission of the President to enter
additional written pleadings. In such a case, the President, if he
sees fit, shall establish the time limits for presentation of the
relevant documents. 903
Hearing and Merits Phase: The hearings of the IACtHR are
public, although when exceptional circumstances warrant it, the
Court may decide to hold a hearing in private. 904 The date of
the hearings will be announced by the Presidency of the Court
and follow the procedure indicated by Articles 45 to 55 of the
Rules of Procedure. 905 After the hearings, the victims or their
representatives, the State and the Commission may submit
their final written arguments. 906
Friendly Settlement: If the victims, their representatives, the
State or the Commission inform the Court that a friendly
settlement has been reached, the Court will rule on its
902
See, Article 42, ibid.
903
See, Article 43, ibid.
904
See, Article 15, ibid.
905
See, Articles 45-55, ibid. See also, Articles 57 – 60 on admission of
evidence.
906
See, Article 56, ibid.