What to can I see and do?

Although the court does not have a guided tour of the Federal Supreme Court the visitors may enter the court to attend different court sessions. Please note that business hours of the court will affect accessibility parts of the court.

Working Hours  

Monday to Friday

8:30 am – 12:30 pm

12:30 pm – 1:30 pm (Closed for lunch)

1:30 pm – 5:30 pm

Saturdays and Sundays are closed. Closed on Public Holidays.  

I want to attend Court Sessions

Court sessions are generally open to the public. Ask the registrar or the bench clerk for information on the type of cases you would like to attend.  For further information please check the page Daily Court trial Schedule. (Please link it to a daily trial schedule)

 

Do’s and Don’ts inside and outside of the courtroom

When you’re in court:

  1. Be ready for security at the gate of the compound.
  2. You must turn off your mobile phone or put it on vibrate
  3. Dress appropriately when watching from inside the courtroom. Hats or headwear are not permitted except for religious reasons. Please also remove your sunglasses before entering the courtroom (unless they are required due to a medical condition).
  4. Please remain silent throughout the proceedings; don’t talk, comment or make noise if you are watching from the public gallery. If you need to speak to someone, please step outside the courtroom.
  5. Standing is generally not permitted in courtrooms, so please find a seat once entering a courtroom. Seating is based on first come, first served basis.
  6. Don’t eat, drink or chew gum. No smoking in the courthouse or inside the courthouse compound.
  7. Don’t take picture or video the trial in any way.
  8. Because people entering and exiting the courtroom can be very distracting, you may be required to wait outside of the courtroom until an appropriate break in the proceedings.
  9. Don’t make an audio or visual recording of proceedings. Members of the public are not permitted to use electronic devices (e.g. cellphones, cameras, recording devices etc.) in courtrooms unless the presiding judge orders otherwise.
  10. When the bailiff calls ‘all rise’ and whenever the judge enters or leaves the courtroom you must always stand. Please be seated after the judge or the bailiff tells you to do so.

 

Building Amenities
 

ATM

Outside of the back entrance of the Federal Supreme Court compound, Ethiopian Commercial bank ATM is located.

Cafeteria

The courts cafeteria is located inside the compound; court users are welcome to use the cafeteria’s premises to eat.