Human Rights - Article 6 Flashcards
DEFINITION
The right to a fair trial including a fair and public hearing within a reasonable time, the trial should be independent and impartial with a public pronouncement and the possibility of press restrictions (also includes the right to appeal)
Civil Rights and Obligations - Ex.
For A.6 to apply must be a dispute an issue of genuine and serious nature directly affecting civil rights/obligations eg. role of SOS in planning appeals.
CR & O: Restrictions
Article doesn’t include claim to be educated at certain school or claim by prisoners to associate with other prisoners and issues/proceedings with foreigners/deportation
Criminal Charge: Ex. and case
In addition to protection to (6)(1)(2)(3), also includes the sentencing of offenders.
- Brown v Scott: Right of self-incrimination wasn’t an absolute right, could be limited like public safety.
CC: Ex. considered
Following considered if criminal:
1. Domestic classification of action (eg. CPS)
- Anti-social behaviour classed as civil not criminal (McCann v UK)
2. Nature of offence
3. Severity of possible penalty - fine, jail etc.
Fair hearing: Access to court Ex.
- IMPLIED right state may impose some procedural restrictions.
- Right is to check on state use of arbitrary power, state has to be fair and public, judicial processes & forbids state to deny access to process for deciding civil right. (For everyone).
- No right to appeal against original decision.
ATC: Restrictions + Case
- Limitation periods can be legitimately exposed when an action can be brought.
- Permissible for court to impose restriction on who can bring a claim such as with vexatious litigants, imposing civil restraint/leave of court before claim issued.
- Osman v UK
Fair Hearing: Equality of arms Ex.
- Fair balance between parties.
- Requires fair/public trial, judicial process. Available to everyone, doesn’t give right to appeal against decision.
(Steel and Morris v UK - Complexity and different levels of legal support breached A.6)
- Not absolute right for prosecution to share all evidence.
Equality of Arms: Restrictions
- Permissible for state to have justified reasons on grounds of natural security/public interest for not disclosing material.
- Some cases permissible for special advocate to be appointed to rep. D. (Children, humiliaition/distress)
Fair Hearing: Presumption of innocent Ex.
- Express right under A.6(2), only implied A(1) but may be important where A.6(2) doesn’t apply such as making of confiscation order.
POI: Restrictions Payment
Paying: Offender must pass two tests to claim financial aid. (Interest of justice and the means test.) Accused right of choice is also limited as those offering service have to be apart of a panel.
POI: Restrictions Payment
Special Advocates:
1. Once have sight of secret material cannot take instructions from persons representing.
- They work alone and lack resources of an ordinary legal team for purpose of conducting a full defence in secret.
- No power to call witnesses.
Fair Hearing: Self-Incrimination Ex.
- Right implied in A.6, based on presumption of innocence in A.6(2) & right to fair trial in A.6(1).
- Interference justified if it pursues a legitimate aim.
(Obtaining confession based on oppression/compulsion breaches A.6)
Fair Hearing: Representation Ex.
- No absolute right to legal rep. in civil/crim. cases
- Hammerton v UK decided that litigant in person who was liable to be sent to prison for contempt of court
-entitled to legal rep. if it was necessary at public expense.
Representation Restrictions
- Right covers right to claim financial aid for lawyer in crim. Two tests, inj./means
- The accused right of choice is limited and in civil financial much more restricted, virtually non-existent.