Welcome to QualitySolicitors FJG's guide to Human Rights and Civil Liberties 
as recommended by Chambers UK 2011.
The Human Rights Act 1998 is in force in the UK from 2 October 2000. Although the UK has been a signatory to the European Convention of Human Rights for over 40 years this Act is a landmark in human rights protection because for the first time it provides enforceable civil and political rights for everyone in our own Courts.
The Act makes the Convention central to our law. Its scope is broad and its implications are far reaching. There will be significant changes required in law policy and practice as a result.
The principal effect is that the old case law decided by the courts will have to change if it does not respect the rights in the Convention. All rules and regulations will also have to comply unless an act of parliament makes this impossible. Even acts of parliament in future will have to be brought into line with Convention rights as far as it is possible to do so.