The original Palais of the Court, the external appearance and original structure of which have been preserved, is now dedicated entirely to the public face of justice, as the place where hearings, which are open to the public, are held.
The building houses the five courtrooms on three floors, the courtrooms preceded by large interconnecting halls, known as "salles des Pas Perdus". The courtrooms are where the parties argue their cases, the Advocates General deliver their Opinions and judgments are given.

According to the nature of the case, different persons appear before the Court.

The majority of cases come from the national courts, which refer questions to the Court on the interpretation or validity of a provision of Community law. In such a case, known as a reference for a preliminary ruling, those appearing before the Court are the lawyers of the parties before the national court which has referred the question, agents of the Governments of the Member States which submitted observations and the agents of the institutions, primarily of the Commission, guardian of the Treaties.

In the other categories of case brought before the Court, that is to say, direct actions and appeals against the decisions of the Court of First Instance, the agents of the Governments of the Member States concerned, the agents of the institutions and, in appeals, the lawyers of the parties, appear before the Court.
In 2008, the Court held 229 hearings in 154 references for a preliminary ruling and 75 direct actions and appeals.
192 Opinions and 333 judgments were  delivered.

The entrance hall, the grand staircase: an almost natural, unimpeded pathway, bathed in daylight, which leads to the main courtroom. A solemn space which creates the distance and the respect necessary for the dispensing of justice.  

Salle des Pas Perdus: «Hall of a courthouse for the use of the departments and chambers of a court; where those waiting come and go ».
There can be no court without a « salle des Pas Perdus », that is to say, without that space separating the « profane » from the « sacred » which allows access in stages to the courtroom where justice is dispensed in public and with ceremony.

The Palais is open to visitors - legal practitioners wishing to increase their legal knowledge, law students, European citizens.
Every year, the Court receives 15000 visitors.