UK Rights Flashcards
Magna Carta 1215
Magna Carta outlined basic rights with the principle that no-one was above the law, including the monarch. It charted the right to a fair trial, and limits on taxation without representation.
Bill of Rights 1689
It is an original Act of the English Parliament and has been in the custody of Parliament since its creation. The Bill firmly established the principles of frequent parliaments, free elections and freedom of speech within Parliament – known today as Parliamentary Privilege.
European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) 1953
The ECHR was signed by the UK in 1951, and came into force in 1953. Signing this meant that all UK government actions needed to be in compliance with the ECHR. Includes articles such as the right to life, and the right to freedom from torture.
European Court of Justice 1973
After the UK joined the European Economic Community, the European Court of Justice protected the rights of UK workers.
Data Protection Act 1984
The 1984 Data Protection Act gave new legal rights to individuals whose personal information is held on computer. It is an offence to hold personal data on computer for a purpose not entered in the Data Protection Register. The Act also imposes obligations on HMRC and its staff as recorders and users of personal data.
Human Rights Act 1998
The HRA lets you defend your rights in UK courts and compels public organisations – including the Government, police and local councils – to treat everyone equally, with fairness, dignity and respect.
Freedom of Information Act 2000
The FOIA allowed UK citizens to access some information held by UK public institutions. However, some information, for example relating to national security cannot be accessed.
Equality Act 2010
The Act brought together all UK anti-discriminatory measures into a single document. Protects workers and the general public from discrimination. The act includes different types of discrimination, including age discrimination and disability discrimination.
