2021 Event

Independent Human Rights Act Review Roadshow

Thursday 27 May 2021

UCL Judicial Institute in collaboration with the Independent Human Rights Act Review Roadshow

 

The Independent Human Rights Act Review (IHRAR, launched in December 2020, has been established to examine the framework of the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA), how it is operating in practice and whether any change is required. The review is being conducted by a Panel of eight members, chaired by Sir Peter Gross, a former judge of the Court of Appeal of England and Wales.

Following the close of IHRAR’s call for evidence, members of the IHRAR Panel are participating in a series of public events hosted by universities across the United Kingdom. They aim to engage and hear views from a wide range of interested parties to help inform their deliberations.

The event in May started with a discussion, led by Professor David Ormerod from UCL Judicial Institute, in conjunction with Sir Peter Gross and members of the Panel, on the background and context of the HRA and its role within our legal system. Following this, there was a more specific discussion focussed on each of the questions in IHRAR’s Terms of Reference. In this part of the event the Panel was primarily in listening mode, looking to hear views. 

Facilitated discussion on the Human Rights Act 1998
This discussion was led by Professor David Ormerod from UCL’s Judicial Institute, in conjunction with Sir Peter Gross and other panel members.

Topics cover:

• Background of the Human Rights Act and the UK’s contribution to the Convention. The intellectual underpinnings of the idea of “bringing rights home”
• The difference between the Human Rights Act and the Convention
• The role of the ECtHR and how it interacts with national courts
• The impact of the HRA on everyday life and famous cases
• Devolution and national context

Discussion on the Terms of Reference
This focussed discussions on the two themes set out in the Review’s Terms of Reference, focussing on:

• The relationship between domestic courts and the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR)
• The impact of the HRA on the relationship between the judiciary, the executive and the legislature

Speakers: 
Sir Peter Gross (IHRAR Panel Chair)
Simon Davis (IHRAR Panel member)
Prof. Maria Cahill (IHRAR Panel member)
Sir Stephen Laws (IHRAR Panel member)
John Sorabji (IHRAR Panel legal adviser)
Prof. Colm O'Cinneide (UCL)
Prof. Tom Hickman (UCL / Blackstone Chambers)
Prof. David Ormerod (UCL)

For the full list of questions being considered by the Panel, please refer to the Review’s Terms of Reference document.

Watch the recording of this event: