Extraordinary Judicial Recess in Hungary

As a result, Hungarian courts do not hold preparatory hearings, trials, or public hearings. This restriction applies not only to civil proceedings but also to other areas of judicial practice.

Unlike the ordinary summer judicial recess, however, procedural deadlines were expected to continue running.

Urgent procedural actions requiring personal attendance, such as decisions regarding detention, were to be conducted through remote hearings wherever possible. If remote hearings could not be arranged, a special courtroom protocol would apply.

Under this protocol:

• Individuals present in the courtroom were required to maintain a distance of at least two metres from one another.
• The court was required to ask all attendees whether they had travelled to an affected area within the preceding fourteen days.
• The court also had to establish whether they had come into contact with an infected person or someone who had been in contact with an infected person.

If it appeared likely that an infected individual was present in the courtroom, the court could suspend the hearing, direct the affected person to an isolated room, and immediately notify the competent authority.

The court would also record the identities and contact details of all persons present and provide that information to the relevant authority.

Apart from parties summoned to attend urgent procedural actions, only the following persons were permitted to enter court buildings:

• Judges performing their official duties;
• Judicial employees carrying out official functions; and
• Other individuals performing tasks connected with the operation of the courts.

Court offices were instructed to fulfil their information and assistance obligations by electronic means or through telecommunications. Pursuant to a decision of the President of the National Office for the Judiciary (OBH), all in-person client services at Hungarian courts were suspended.

In matters handled by our firm, we have informed, or are informing, the courts that we remain available through video conferencing facilities. Nevertheless, it is likely that all hearings in pending cases will be automatically adjourned.

We will provide further updates and additional details shortly.