Live Broadcasting of EU General Court Hearings: What Changes for Litigants and Media in 2026

Key data

If your company has an active or pending litigation before the General Court of the European Union, this regulation directly affects you. From April 29, 2026, Decision [2026/1349] establishes the legal framework under which oral hearings, delivery of judgments and presentations of opinions may be broadcast live or recorded to the general public.

This means that a proceeding that until now was relatively discreet can become a public event. For companies involved in disputes over competition, intellectual property, public procurement or state aid before this court, the reputational and strategic implications are immediate.

What does this regulation establish?

The Decision of the General Court, adopted on April 29, 2026 and published in the Official Journal of the EU on June 22, 2026, regulates three types of procedural acts susceptible to audiovisual broadcasting:

• Oral hearings: sessions in which the parties present their arguments before the judges.
• Delivery of judgments: the formal act in which the court makes its decision public.
• Presentation of opinions: interventions by the Advocate General or equivalent in which the legal position prior to judgment is presented.

The regulation establishes specific conditions, requirements and limitations for these broadcasts to take place. Its stated objective is to balance two competing interests:

• Judicial transparency and public access to European justice.
• Protection of the rights of the parties and the integrity of the judicial process.

Media outlets and audiovisual operators wishing to access and broadcast these transmissions must demonstrate compliance with the requirements set by the Decision. This is not free and unrestricted access: the court maintains control over what is broadcast and under what conditions.

Economic and operational impact

This regulation does not generate direct fees or costs for litigating parties. However, its operational and reputational impact can be significant in several areas:

For media outlets, this decision opens a new avenue for access to high-interest European judicial content, especially in cases involving competition, technology or major public contracts. However, they will need to invest in the accreditation and compliance processes required by the regulation.

Who does it affect?

• Companies with active or future litigation before the EU General Court: especially in matters of competition, state aid, intellectual property, public procurement and sectoral regulation.
• Legal departments and legal advisors managing proceedings before this court: must review their procedural communication strategy.
• Media outlets and television networks covering European affairs and wishing to broadcast hearings or judgments of relevance.
• Audiovisual operators and digital platforms interested in disseminating European judicial content.
• CFOs and executives of companies in regulated sectors (energy, telecommunications, banking, technology) where litigation before the General Court is more frequent.

Practical example

Imagine a Spanish technology company involved in proceedings before the EU General Court over a European Commission decision on competition matters. Until now, the oral hearing was a relatively reserved act, with limited public and press attendance.

With the entry into force of Decision [2026/1349], the court may authorize live broadcasting of that oral hearing. This means that:

• The arguments of the company and the Commission can be followed in real time from anywhere in Europe.
• Competitors, investors and analysts can access the content of the hearing without needing to be present in Luxembourg.
• The company's communications team must be prepared to handle media inquiries during or immediately after the broadcast.
• An audiovisual media outlet wishing to broadcast the hearing must have previously complied with the accreditation requirements established in the Decision.

This scenario, previously exceptional, becomes a real and regulated possibility from April 29, 2026.

What should companies do now?

1. Review active proceedings before the EU General Court: identify whether any ongoing litigation may be affected by this regulation and at what procedural stage it is.
2. Coordinate with the legal team on oral communication strategy: arguments presented at hearing may be public; adapt the approach with your external counsel.
3. Prepare a corporate communication protocol: define who responds to media, what messages are authorized and how to manage possible live coverage of a hearing or judgment.
4. If you are a media outlet or audiovisual operator: analyze the accreditation requirements established by Decision [2026/1349] and assess whether your organization meets the conditions to access broadcasts.
5. Consult with a legal advisor specialized in European litigation: especially if your company operates in sectors with high regulatory exposure before European institutions.

Official source

Consult the full regulation at official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202601349