The Kosovo Specialist Chambers welcomes visitors who would like to attend public hearings from the public gallery of the courtroom, in most cases without pre-registration being required. Journalists are able to follow public hearings from a dedicated media centre (with a delay) or live from the public gallery. The dates and times of public hearings are published on the KSC website.

Public court hearings may include content disturbing to some attendees. Visitors’ discretion is advised. Persons under 16 years of age are only permitted in the Public Gallery during hearings under certain conditions (see below).

Pre-registration

For hearings that may see higher rates of attendance, pre-registration may be required. If so, this will be noted on the Court Calendar along with the deadline for pre-registration. To pre-register, send an email to [email protected]. In the email, please provide the following details:

  • Full name

  • Date of birth

  • Citizenship and number of passport or other national ID

  • Affiliation, if relevant (e.g. general public, accredited diplomat, NGO/civil society)

  • Journalists wishing to follow from the media centre should also provide the name of the media outlet, location where you are based, as well as a scan of your press card.

You will be informed as soon as possible whether there is space available in the public gallery. If space is not available, public hearings can always be followed through the streaming page of the KSC website.

Arrival and Registration

Please make sure that you arrive 15 minutes ahead of time since entry procedures may take a few minutes.

Persons attending public hearings are kindly requested to use the front entrance to the KSC premises located on Raamweg.

Upon arrival at the KSC, all visitors must show a valid photo identification at the security reception to be granted access to the premises.

Before entering the premises and again before entering the public gallery, all visitors will be subject to security checks, including passage through a metal detector. Any individual refusing these security checks will be denied entry.

VISITORS UNDER THE AGE OF 16

Attendance at public hearings from the courtroom public gallery by persons under the of age 16 is subject to limitations.  

Children under 14 are not permitted to attend court hearings from the public gallery except for children or dependents of accused persons, attending the relevant hearing.

Visitors between the ages of 14 and 16 may be allowed to attend a hearing from the public gallery of the courtroom upon authorisation of the Presiding Judge and with permission from a parent or legal guardian. They must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or other supervising adult.

Groups of up to 10 visitors between the ages of 14 and 16 accompanied by one supervising adult, may also request authorisation to attend public hearings.

To request authorisation for any person aged 16 or younger to attend a hearing, please fill the request form and send it to [email protected] at least 48 hours prior to the hearing.