The Anneau

The Anneau, French for “ring”, encircles the Palais. It houses the chambers of the Judges and Advocates General, as well as the conference rooms where they deliberate. It is, as such, the heart of the Court of Justice.

Resting on a 10 metre-high peristyle of 116 columns, the Anneau clearly separates the private spaces – where the Judges and Advocates General focus on their work – from the open spaces dedicated to the more public aspect of judicial activity.

The essential work relating to the actual performance of the task entrusted to the Court is carried out in the Anneau.

• The draft judgments prepared by the reporting Judges and the Opinions of the Advocates General are brought to fruition in the Chambers.
• Judges sitting on a case meet in one of the conference rooms – without interpreters or assistants – to discuss and finalise the draft judgment.