THE HUMAN RIGHTS ACT 1998. The Human Rights Act came into force on 2 October 2000. It incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights into U.K. law.

Rights enshrined in the Act include the right to liberty and security, the right to a fair trial, the right to freedom of thought, concession and religion and the right to freedom of expression. It also prohibits discrimination. Previously, a British Citizen who felt that their rights under the convention had been breached by a public body would have to face the lengthy and expensive task of persuing their claim through the European Court of Human Rights at Strasbourg. When the act comes into force the matter will be able to go directly to Court in Britain. If the Court finds that the public authority has violated the person's rights, it can award a "just and appropriate remedy" which could include damages. The terms of what makes up a "public authority", have not been defined in the Act, but will include Government Departments, local authorities, Police, prison, Immigration Officers, public prosecutors and Courts.

The new Act protects human rights under 3 broad categories:

Fundamental Rights - for example, the right to life and the right not to be subject to torture.

Procedural Rights - such as the right to a fair trial and a fair hearing.

Qualified Rights - like freedom of expression, the right to a private and family life, the right to freedom of association.

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