Chapter 2 - Basic rights and liberties
Section 21 -Protection under the law
Everyone has the right to have his or her case dealt with appropriately and without undue delay by a legally competent court of law or other authority, as well as to have a decision pertaining to his or her rights or obligations reviewed by a court of law or otherindependent organ for the administration of justice.
Chapter 5 – Bringing a charge
Summons issued by the court and other preparation of the case
Section 8
(1) If the case is not dismissed at once, as provided in section 6, the court is to issue a summons without delay.
(2) The summons, the application for a summons and the claim referred to in chapter 3, section 10 are to be served on the defendant as provided in chapter 11 of the Code of Judicial Procedure on service of notices.
(3) For a special reason, the summonsing of the defendant may be carried out also by serving only the summons on him/her and by advising him/her of the circumstances underlying the summons, as referred to in section 3(1)(3)–3(1)(5). In this event, the application for a summons and the claim referred to in chapter 3, section 10 are to be posted to the defendant without delay and well in advance of the hearing so that he/she has sufficient time to prepare his/her defence.
Chapter 5 – Bringing a charge
Transfer of the case to the main hearing
Section 12
(1) After the conclusion of the preparation, the case is without delay to be transferred to the main hearing.
(2) A direct main hearing of the case is to be ordered, if a request for a written response or a preparatory hearing are deemed unnecessary.
1. In the determination of any charge, the accused shall be entitled to a public hearing, having regard to the provisions of this Statute, to a fair hearing conducted impartially, and to the following minimum guarantees, in full equality:
(c) To be tried without undue delay;