Blackstone's Guide to the Human Rights Act 1998

Blackstone's Guide to the Human Rights Act 1998 provides clear, concise coverage of the operation and application of the Human Rights Act 1998, including the development of human rights jurisprudence in the domestic courts and in Strasbourg. It also sets out the recent erosion of the universal applicability of the remedies in the Human Rights Act by the Illegal Migration Act 2023 and other recent changes to the statutory scheme such as the amendment to the limitation period for claims involving the armed forces.

The Guide considers the case law of the European Court of Human Rights and the impact of Convention rights in landmark domestic judgments across a wide range of areas, including terrorism, privacy, discrimination, and criminal law. It explains the interpretive techniques employed by the courts to read legislation compatibly with Convention rights and the jurisdiction to declare legislation incompatible with Convention rights. Finally, the last chapter sets out how to make an application to the Strasbourg Court and sets out in detail how that court works.

The new edition of this popular Guide considers the key developments since the publication of the previous edition 9 years ago. It sets out recent reviews of the Human Rights Act and puts the threats to the Act, especially the Bill of Rights, in the context of the recent history of human rights in the UK. It also considers significant developments in the law relating to the extra-territorial reach and applicability of the Convention under Article 1 ECHR, following Al Skeini, Georgia v Russia, Guzelyurtlu, Hanan and HF. The book contains an up to date copy of the Human Rights Act 1998, and the text of the rights in the European Convention on Human Rights which are now a central part of UK law.

The Blackstone's Guide series delivers concise and accessible books covering the latest legislative changes and amendments. Published soon after enactment, they offer expert commentary by leading names on the scope, extent and effects of the legislation, plus a full copy of the Act itself. They offer a cost-effective solution to key information needs and are the perfect companion for any practitioner needing to get up to speed with the latest changes.