Chapter 3 Notes on key legislation

Human Rights Act 1998

• Section 2 (courts must take Strasbourg jurisprudence into account)
• Section 3 (obligation of Convention-compatible interpretation)
• Section 4 (declarations of incompatibility)
• Section 6 (making conduct of a public authority ‘unlawful’ if contrary to a Convention right, unless required by/giving effect to statute)
• Section 10 (remedial orders)
• Section 19 (statements of compatibility)
• Section 21 (interpretation of Act)
• Schedule 1 (applicable articles of the European Convention of Human Rights).

European Convention on Human Rights

• Article 1 (obligation to secure Convention rights)
• Section I: Rights and Freedoms
• Articles 2 – 12 (freedoms)
• Article 13 (right to an effective remedy)
• Article 14 (non-discrimination in application of rights)
• Article 15 (ability to derogate in times of war/emergency).
• Section II: European Court of Human Rights
• Article 33 (Contracting State can bring an alleged breach to Court)
• Article 34 (right of petition of individual ‘victim’)
• Article 46 (binding force of judgments).
• Protocol No 1
• Article 1 (peaceful enjoyment of possessions)
• Article 2 (right to education).
• Protocol No 12
• Article 1 (general prohibition on discrimination).

European Community Treaty

•  Article 5 lays down the principle of proportionality

United States Bill of Rights

• Amendments 1-10 to the US Constitution
• Note the absence of limitations on the freedoms enshrined.

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms Section 1 allows for limitations of the freedoms in limited circumstances.