4.5. Processing asylum applications at second or higher instance
In 2021, developments at second or higher instances centred around reorganising courts and implementing changes to the appeal procedure, for example for time limits to appeal and the automatic suspensive effect of appeals. New solutions were introduced to enable documents to be submitted remotely, organise remote court hearings and use electronic communication between first instance authorities and courts.
Special arrangements were made to process certain profiles of applicants at the appeal stage, such as for nationals from Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ethiopia. Lastly, constitutional and supreme courts in several EU+ countries clarified certain aspects affecting the right to an effective remedy.