Impact of COVID-19 on access to justice and documents: On the application of EU law, the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the possibility of non-jurisdictional remedies

The COVID-19 outbreak has created an unprecedented impact on the functioning of access to justice and access to documents. New ways of administering justice were introduced, but the outbreak nevertheless caused severe delays in proceedings and even shut down courts in several members states. The impact on fundamental rights was far-reaching. This article will examine the ways in which EU law can intervene in such cases. Does it provide EU citizens with means to enforce their rights under EU law? Further, national COVID-19 measures will be analysed in light of primary and secondary EU legislation, and will include an application of the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the possibility of non-jurisdictional remedies.