HRA & ECHR Flashcards
What does the Human Rights Act 1998 incorporate into UK domestic law?
The European Convention on Human RightsW
s2 HRA 19998
Domestic courts must take ECtHR judgements into account (but not bound to follow them)
Are domestic courts bound to follow ECtHR judgements?
No - just have to take them into account (s2 HRA)
s3 HRA 1998
So far as it is possible to do so, must read & give effect to legislation in a way that is compatible with ECHR rights
(applies to both past & future leg)
s4 HRA 1998
If a court is satisfied that a provision of primary legislation is incompatible with a Convention right, it may make a declaration of incompatibility
→ High Court & above only
→ Discretionary
→ Declaration doesn’t affect validity of the provision
s5 HRA 1998
Where the court is considering making declaration of incompatibility under s4(2), the Crown is entitled to notice → minister can become party in the proceedings
s6 HRA 1998
It is unlawful for public bodies to contravene Convention rights
ie. D should be public body
Can the HRA be used in a case between private individuals?
Court can consider contravention by way of horizontal affect → individual must bring claim based on existing court action, which court will then develop compatibly with human rights
s7 HRA 1998
A person has standing to bring a claim if they are the victim of the breach
ie. must be directly & personally affected
Who has standing to bring a claim for breach of convention rights under HRA 1998?
The victim of the breach ie. must be directly & personally affected
Can pressure groups bring a claim under HRA 1998 for breach of a convention right?
No → s7: must be victim of breach, ie. only have standing if directly & personally affected
s6(1) HRA 1998: A public authority will have acted unlawfully in domestic law if they act incompatibly with an ECHR right
Is there a defence to this?
s6(2) defence: won’t have acted unlawfully if UK legislation required or allowed it to have acted incompatibly
(available unless court can interpret legislation compatibly under s3)
If a public body acts incompatibly with an ECHR right, will they have broken domestic law?
Yes (s6(1))
Will have defence under s6(2) if the UK legislation required or allowed it to have acted incompatibly
s8 HRA 1998
A court can award damages for breach of a convention right where it is necessary to award just satisfaction to the person whose rights were breached
(usually a common law action under which damages can be awarded instead)
What remedy is available for a breach of convention rights?
Damages
(where it is necessary to award just satisfaction to the person whose rights were breached - s8)
s10 HRA 1998
Where there has been a declaration of incompatibility, the govt can amend legislation without full legislative approval to make it compatible
(used to make small adjustments)
What is the difference between an ECHR
- Absolute right
- Limited right
- Qualified right?
Absolute: can never be interefered with
2 3 4 5 6 7 9 12
Limited: can be limited in clearly defined situations
5 (exceptions re lawful arrest & detention) & 6 (trial in public)
Qualified: can be interfered with to protect an important general interest or rights of others
8 9 10 11 Art1Pro1
What are the 4 requirements for any qualification (ie. interference) with an ECHR right?
- Express
- Permitted by state law
- Legitimate aim (eg. national security, prevention of crime, public safety, protection of health, freedoms of others, impartiality of judiciary etc.)
- Necessary in democratic society (ie. pressing social need for restriction imposed + proportionate)