Human rights solicitors
Often misunderstood and unfairly criticised by some of the press, the public and politicians, human rights are fundamental and important rights.
Human rights lie at the heart of a fair and just society.
Under the Human Rights Act 1998 the European Convention on Human Rights was adopted by the UK and now effectively forms part of our law.
This means that you have a right to argue that public bodies, be this the Government, government agencies, your local authority or the NHS, must, when dealing with you, your problems or access to public services, do so whilst also considering your human rights.
So, in addition to the public law principles which require public bodies to act within their powers and fairly, reasonably and rationally when reaching any decisions, you are entitled to expect public bodies to also consider your human rights, of which the following are often the most important:
- Human Rights - Article 2 – Right to life
- Human Rights - Article 3 – Prohibition of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment
- Human Rights - Article 5 – Right to liberty and security of the person
- Human Rights - Article 6 – Right to fair trial
- Human Rights - Article 7 – No punishment without lawful authority
- Human Rights - Article 8 – Right to privacy and right to respect for family life
- Human Rights - Article 9 – Right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion
- Human Rights - Article 10 – Right to freedom of expression
- Human Rights - Article 14 – Prohibition of discrimination
Any apparent breach of your human rights can be challenged by legal proceedings to ensure that public bodies and / or the Courts, who are also a public body, interpret the law so as to give meaning to your human rights.
In certain cases, the Court can make what is known as a declaration of incompatibility by which the Court declares the law as being incompatible with an Article of the European Convention on Human Rights, effectively asking the Government to change the law.
In some cases, it is also possible to seek compensation, or what is known as ‘just satisfaction’, for breach of your human rights.
We are well used to pursuing Human Rights and public law arguments in Court proceedings, usually in Judicial Review proceedings but also in the Court of Appeal and in the European Court of Human Rights.
We have the expertise to recognise and pursue human rights and public law arguments on your behalf from beginning to end.
Human rights solicitors
To arrange a discussion with a human rights solicitor click here or call us on 0800 0384 384. We are available to take your call twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.
