European Human Rights Law: The Human Rights Act 1998 and the European Convention on Human Rights

The Human Rights Act 1998 imposes radical changes on UK law and practice: all statutes have to be reinterpreted to read in human rights, all public authorities (including the courts) have to comply with the European Convention on Human Rights - there is a new right of action against those who fail to do so - and breach of a Convention right is a defence in criminal and civil proceedings. The Act incorporates into UK law not only the Convention itself, but also the extensive case-law of the European Court and Commission of Human Rights.